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“You must be hungry, hon,” my aunt says, a slight grin on her face making me wonder if she already knows.
“She's hungry for Jett Knight,” Eliana grumbles under her breath, her arms crossed over her chest.
My aunt shoots her a warning look. “Let’s just enjoy dinner. I’m back on the road soon, and I wanted to spend time with you girls before I head out again.”
I step closer to my aunt, grateful for her warmth and presence. She makes me feel like I belong to something, like I still have family. Eliana is my best friend, but there’s something about Aunt Scarlett that makes me feel like home isn’t so far away after all.
Aunt Scarlett uncorks a bottle of red wine, and pours glasses for all of us. We sit and eat, I feel full already because my heart is content. Sitting around me at the table is proof I am not alone.
Unlike Jett.
My thoughts drift to my boss. When I lie in bed tonight, I will wonder how I'll survive the Bermuda trip.
“This is good!” I say, savoring my meal.
“Ummm hmmmm.” Aunt Scarlett licks her lips and sighs. “I miss this.” She places her hands over mine and Eliana's. “I love sitting down and having you girls to come back to. Being on the road all the time is fun, and coming back is the best, but …” She pauses, and stares at the table, as if trying to compose herself.
“I know,” I say softly. The void is hard to fill. We all carry the emptiness in our lives after my mom’s death. “I think of her all the time, too,” I say, a tear rolling down my cheek.
She presses her lips together and inhales a deep breath, as if reaching inside for reserves of courage. “Your mom would like this.” She nods. When she looks up, her eyes are shiny.
“She would,” I croak. I don’t know when the pain of this loss will subside. My wound is still raw. “You know we love it when you come back, Aunt Scarlett.” I manage a smile.
My aunt put her freelance work on hold when mom was ill. Now she’s away more often, so mom’s old apartment stays empty a lot of the time. I still go there occasionally, when Aunt Scarlett is away, to soak in the fading but familiar scent of the place my mom occupied. I love that my aunt always pops up in my life, often unexpectedly. She’s more like an older sister to me than an aunt. There was such a big age gap between her and my mom. She’s a maverick, wild and carefree, and never wanted to settle down, get married, or have a family. She treats her life like an adventure.
Eliana's face is hard. She's eating quietly and drinking wine as if it's water. We finish the meal in silence. Then Aunt Scarlett refills our glasses, opening the second bottle.
“How handsome is this boss of yours?” she asks, sipping daintily.
I blush, hoping the wine is what’s making my skin heat.
“Handsome enough that your niece has been crazy about him for years. Years, I tell you,” Eliana says.
“Is that right?” Aunt Scarlett eyes me, the corner of her lip turning up.
I shrug, hating the interrogation. “I saw him at a Christmas party, and he's ... not bad,” Eliana admits, reluctantly. “Dark hair, strong jaw, mesmerizing eyes. Built. Wide shoulders. The man looks pretty sharp in a suit. He’s tall and—”
“Sounds to me like you’ve also got the hots for him,” my aunt shoots back, mischief swimming in her eyes.
“I absolutely do not,” Eliana protests. “But I can see why Cari’s obsessed with him.”
“I’m not obsessed!”
Eliana tsks, shaking her head. “You’re so far gone, babe, but you are. Bianca and I have dissected your behavior, and we wholeheartedly can confirm that you are indeed obsessed.”
Aunt Scarlett chuckles, then sips her wine. “He sounds pretty delectable to me. A hot boss. Mesmerizing eyes. Tall and built. What’s not to like?”
“Aunt Scarlett!” Eliana slaps the table. “You're not supposed to encourage her!”
“Why not?” Aunt Scarlett winks at me. “Why can't a girl have some fun?”
Eliana’s blinks furiously. “Because he's ten years older than her and—”
“Experienced—” My aunt says, approvingly.
I spit out my wine, and grab a napkin to wipe my mouth.
“He has a daughter!” I retort.