by Debby Mayne
"We don't have any enemies."
"That's because y'all feed everyone in town!"
"You got a problem with that?" Steph challenged.
"Of course not."
"Then why are you mad?"
Paula softened when she heard her friend's tone. "I'm not mad, Steph. Maybe a little perturbed about all the scheming."
"I'll take perturbed over mad any day." Steph linked her arm in Paula's. "C'mon, we have a lot of people to entertain."
"Just don't make me sing."
Steph snorted. "Trust me, I won't. I heard you singing on the way to Ellenton."
Paula pulled away and feigned hurt. "Are you trying to say I don't have a beautiful singing voice?"
"I never said that." Steph tried not to smile, but she couldn't stop the chortle that escaped.
Paula rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Okay, just checking. Did y'all bring the whole Bible study group?"
"They were invited," Steph admitted, "but we couldn't get them all in the van." She glanced at her watch. "Billy and Thomas can't come, but the rest of them should be here soon."
"You people really take the cake."
Steph stopped and turned Paula around to face her. "But you take the baklava."
Paula groaned. "This is going downhill, and fast. Let's go party."
Once inside, Paula noticed that Nick was the center of attention again—no surprise. It was like he'd never left town. He chatted with old friends as if he saw them every day, and he treated new folks like he'd known them all his life. The only difference now was he kept looking at her, almost as though afraid she'd bolt.
Steph's mother was in her element—feeding family and their friends. Nick's mother arrived, arms laden with even more food.
"This is like a soup kitchen for starving Christians," Paula whispered to Steph.
"Some of them are always hungry, and none of them will turn down a free meal."
"I noticed."
Nick pulled away from the crowd and joined his cousin and Paula. "This is cool. Thanks for doing this, Steph."
Nick was glad Paula stuck around. Yeah, he was happy to have his friends here, but more time with Paula was like the cherry on top of a bowl of his mother's rice pudding.
He did everything he could to entertain his friends while staying close to the woman he'd never stopped loving. It wasn't easy with people tugging at him and wanting to talk about everything from sports to military life—and, when Paula wasn't listening, about their relationship. Paula always seemed interested in whatever the topic was, but as time wore on he wanted to focus on nothing but her. How pretty her hair was. How beautiful she sounded when she sighed. How soft her skin was. How wonderful she smelled. All the things he'd dreamed about for the past ten years. Being away from her made being here even sweeter.
No matter what he'd done to get his mind off her after she left for school, nothing worked. Other women never measured up. They might be pretty, but they couldn't talk about everything under the sun like Paula could. Even the same perfume smelled different on other women.
He'd been avoiding his parents' house ever since he got back. As soon as he was behind closed doors with his dad, he knew he'd get a lecture about joining the family business. Sponging had never appealed to Nick, but now he was starting to think he'd be willing to do it if it meant he could be with Paula for the rest of his life.
The problem was would she want him back? He sensed so many things lying deep beneath the surface with her, he wasn't sure if she'd be willing to make their relationship work, even if she wanted to.
"Nick! Wanna go toss a football?"
He glanced at Paula, who nodded, before looking back at Michael. "Sure. Let me go put on a T-shirt and some shorts, and I'll be right out."
Paula knew that when Nick came downstairs in his T-shirt, all the women would swoon. They always had. He looked good no matter what he wore, but he was at his best in athletic wear.
Steph's mother crooked a finger and motioned for her to step closer. "I'm getting ready to put the food away. Do you want me to set anything aside for you to take home later?"
If Paula hadn't known Mrs. Papadopoulos would do it anyway, even if she said no, she wouldn't have even thought of taking her up on it. "I love the soup, and a little bit of the bread would be good."
"What did you do with the baklava?"
"It's in the car."
"Why don't you go get it, and I'll put it in the refrigerator so it won't spoil."
Paula nodded. "I'll go get it now."
As she passed the oversized kids—the guys from the Bible study class—she could tell Nick was watching her. Suddenly, she heard a thud and "oomph!" Paula spun around in time to see Nick lying on the ground.
She ran over to check on him. His eyes were closed when she first approached, but after a few seconds one eye opened, and then the other one. A slow grin spread across his face. "So you do care." He hopped up and brushed himself off. "I'm getting you back for that, Drew. I don't care if you are clergy. That was a cheap shot, taking me down when I wasn't looking."
"Serves you right for looking at a pretty girl." Drew grinned at Paula then looked back at Nick. "Ready to get back in the game, or do you wanna call it quits?"
"One more play and we can call it a day. I'm not a kid anymore."
"Could've fooled me." Steph giggled. "But you're a Papadopoulos man, so I don't think you'll ever grow up." She turned to Paula. "What did Mama want?"
"She told me to bring the baklava back inside so it wouldn't spoil."
"You're not still mad at me, are you?"
Paula stopped and turned to face her best friend. "Now why would I be mad at you?"
"For this." Steph gestured toward the crowd, which had grown by two more carloads and a few of the neighbors.
"If I got mad at you for . . ." Paula waved her hand around, ". . . this, I'd stay mad at you all the time."
"True." As they walked toward the car Steph spoke up again. "So how'd Nick talk you into not working today?"
"He didn't. You did."
"Huh?"
"He was about to take me home when y'all pulled up in the church van."
"So who's minding the shop?"
"Oria."
"Good. You'll need to replenish stock soon. When that girl helps Mama out in the bakery, we blow through the pastries."
"Yeah, she definitely sells a ton of candles."
"So you're saying your store does just as well when you're not there."
"Sometimes," Paula admitted.
"So when was the last time you had a day off like this?"
"When we went to the outlet mall."
"Okay, so before that." Steph stared at her.
Paula stopped by the car door and shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun. "So what are you getting at?"
"No one should work twenty-four-seven. It's not healthy." Steph planted her fists on her hips and tilted her head as she stared Paula down. "Everyone needs some rest."
"I get plenty of rest."
"When?"
Paula shook her head as she opened the car door. "You're not gonna let up, are you?"
"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't say something about you working yourself to death?"
No matter how hard he tried to keep his mind on football, all Nick could focus on was Paula, and how she was deep in conversation with his cousin over by the car. He kept fumbling the ball.
"Hey, man, you gotta concentrate on the game or you're gonna get hurt," Michael said as they had another turnover.
"We're not supposed to be playing tackle," Nick argued.
"Maybe not, but I don't wanna throw the game away, just because you can't keep your eyes off Paula."
"Can you blame me?"
"Nah, but you gotta decide what you wanna do right now, dude—play football or be with your girl."
"Good point." Nick jumped up and caught the football before the intended receiver from the other team could get to it. "This'll be my
last play." He took off running for a touchdown then threw the ball hard at the ground. "I'm done for the day."
A few loud whistles and cheers came from the guys on his team. "Why didn't you do that earlier, Nick?"
"I didn't want to show off." He waved and headed off toward Paula and his cousin.
Steph turned around when she heard him. "Who won?"
Nick folded his arms and quirked his eyebrows. "Who do you think?"
"Don't be so full of yourself, Nick."
"I am not full of myself. Those guys are tough competitors."
"I'm sure." Steph took a step back and lifted her chin in a nod. "One's a pastor, one's a techno-geek, and one's . . . I'm not sure what that new guy Zach does, but I don't think he's a jock. Good job, Nick. I'm going to go see if I can round everyone up and call it a day."
"Good luck with that," Nick said. "Your mother is in the house concocting something else to feed the animals."
"Then I better hurry." She turned and jogged up the steps to the house, leaving Nick standing there alone with Paula.
"So what's going on?" he asked. "Sorry I abandoned you."
The instant he said those words, her expression changed. "Nick, I've got to go home now."
"Did I do something wrong?" He sensed that something in Paula had snapped.
Paula shook her head. "No, Nick, it's just that . . ." How could she explain how conflicted she felt with him looking at her with those big dark eyes, his face inches from hers? Everyone she had ever loved took off and left her alone. Even Nick. "It's been a very long day."
He pursed his lips and nodded. "Okay, I'll take you home."
Steph's mother started to argue with her when she said she was leaving. But after a glance in Nick's direction, she scrambled to get some food packed up for Paula to take home. He must have gestured or mouthed something, but at this point Paula didn't care what it was. She needed to be alone. Nick obviously sensed her instant panic, and just like he used to, he gave her the mental space she needed—without filling it up with chitchat.
All the way to her house, she thought about Nick's choice of words. Yes, he'd abandoned her—so had her dad the summer before middle school. Her mother never let her forget it either.
Sometimes Paula wondered when she'd stopped being the daughter and become a parent to her mother. It had happened so gradually she hadn't seen it coming. Every time her dad was even mentioned, Paula's mother took advantage of it and made a verbal jab at his character. She knew her father hurt her mom deeply, and she never wanted to make it worse. Even after all these years, Paula didn't dare mention her dad to her mom.
Paula's mother had tried to fill the void with material things—mostly from thrift stores—and their tiny house had become packed with stuff they didn't need. She said she deserved everything after all she'd been through. Paula understood her mother's bitterness over her dad being unfaithful, but it seemed like she wasn't willing to put any of those feelings behind her—not even for the sake of her daughter.
A couple of blocks from her house in Palm Harbor, Nick pulled over and stopped. "Paula, I don't know exactly what happened back there, but if I caused you to be upset, I'm sorry."
She hung her head as she stared at her hands—the hands that had worked so hard to stay busy and keep her mind off the fact that she didn't have any family of her own. Most of the time she could banish it from her thoughts, but every once in a while it hit her—hard.
"You didn't cause anything. It's just that . . . well . . ."
He took her hand and squeezed it. "Don't try to explain anything, Paula. It's not my desire to ever put you on the spot. I want you to have fun when you're with me, not be miserable."
"I had fun."
One last squeeze and he dropped her hand. "Okay, I'll get you home now. Mind if I call you soon?"
"Can you wait a couple of days?"
She studied his profile and saw his jaw tighten before he gave a clipped nod. "Sure, if that's what you want, I can wait."
As soon as they turned the corner and her house was in view, Nick pointed to the car in front of it. "Are you expecting company?"
6
Not that I know of. Why did you slow down?"
Nick sped up and pulled into the driveway behind the car. "Who do you know that drives a Lexus?"
Paula squinted. "The windows are so dark I can't make out who it is, but the hair is big so I'll venture a guess and say it's my mom." She held back the fact that her mother had always wanted a Lexus, but Paula managed to talk her out of it.
She heard Nick mumbling something, but she didn't stick around to hear what he said. She hopped out and walked straight over to the driver's side of the strange car.
Yep, it was her mom. As tempted as she was to yank open the door, she refrained. Instead, she folded her arms and stared at the silhouette until the window lowered.
"Hi, honey. Surprised?"
"Um . . . not really. What's wrong this time?"
"Why do you always have to be so negative?" Without waiting for an answer, her mother raised the window, got out of the car, and nodded toward the Town Car behind her. "Is that Nick?"
"Answer my question first. Why are you here?"
"Do I have to have a reason to visit my daughter . . . my only child?"
Paula worked hard to resist a good eye roll. "Come on in and I'll fix you something to eat. But first I have to get some stuff out of the car." She glanced over her shoulder then looked back at her mother. "Yes, by the way, that is Nick."
"Anything I need to know about?"
"No, nothing."
After Paula turned and walked toward Nick, he got out and helped her with the bags of food. "Need any help?" he whispered.
"Nah, I'll be fine. Last time she did this, all she needed was a little money to get something for Mack."
He squinted his eyes at the Lexus then looked back at her. "Doesn't look to me like she needs money."
"Nick."
He shook his head. "Sorry."
Paula saw Nick's jaw tighten. And she was glad he didn't tell her what else he was thinking. He didn't have to. She already knew. The only person Nick didn't seem to care for was her mother, who tried to charm him but failed because of the way she treated the one person who needed her most.
"Hey, Nick. You're looking good. Military life certainly agrees with you. Did you resign?"
Paula bristled at the flirty tone of her mother's voice. "Nick's on leave for a few weeks."
The bags Nick carried into the house weren't heavy, but his grunts made it sound like he was toting an elephant. "I'll just put these on the kitchen counter. It was nice seeing you, Mrs.. . . , uh . . ."
"Bonnie. How many times do I have to tell you to call me Bonnie?"
He forced a tight smile. "Nice to see you again, Bonnie." Then he glanced at Paula. "Call if you need me. I'm taking Mama to St. Nick's, but when I get out, I'll have my cell phone on."
After the front door closed behind him, Paula turned to face her mother. "Okay, Mom, what's up?"
Her mother fidgeted with her purse for a few seconds and shuffled toward the bags. "I thought you said you'd fix me something to eat. I'm starving. I drove straight here from Birmingham."
"Okay, sit down. I'll get it for you. Tea?"
"Yes, of course."
Paula valued the few moments of silence as she prepared a plate for her mother and put everything else in the refrigerator. She poured a couple glasses of tea and sat down at the table.
"This is delicious. Which one of Nick's aunts made this stuff?"
"All of them. Most of it's left over from his homecoming party."
"I don't care what you say, looks like the two of you are an item again."
"Don't assume anything, Mom. So why did you drive all the way down here without calling first?"
"Would you have told me not to come?"
Good point. "So are you gonna keep me guessing for a while, or—"
"Okay." Her mother put down her fork and lean
ed back in her chair. "Things aren't good for me right now."
So what else is new? Paula lifted her eyebrows but didn't say a word.
"Mack wants me to get a job."
"What's wrong with getting a job?"
"I've worked so hard all my life I deserve some time to . . .relax." She smiled at Paula. "Working full-time and raising a kid without a husband isn't easy, ya know?"
Paula wasn't about to remind her that she wasn't exactly Mom-of-the-Year. That would start a whole new discussion— one she didn't want to face again.
"What about the car?" Paula asked. "That thing wasn't cheap."
Her mother drummed her fingernails on the table. "I think I deserve a nice car."
"Okay, so the only problem you're having is that Mack wants you to get a job, and you don't want to?"
Her mother shrugged. "I guess things aren't going so well in other areas either."
"So do you need money?" That would be easy to take care of. Money was one thing Paula had enough of and some to spare.
"I always need money. Mack is such a tightwad. If I'd known—"
"Stop. I don't want to hear this."
Let the drama begin. Paula had been the sounding board for her mother ever since they left Alabama after the divorce.
"You're right. I shouldn't air my laundry to my daughter. You have your own life, which you obviously don't want me to be a part of."
She continued her rant about how Paula had made a success of herself and didn't want anything to do with the one who made her what she was. All her intentions were self-centered and narrow.
This went on for a good ten minutes until finally Paula held up her hands. "Mom, do you realize you've just told me what a horrible daughter I am?"
She got a blank stare.
"And if I'm such a horrible daughter, why did you come here?"
Her mother closed her eyes and checked out the way she always did when she didn't want to answer questions or face something distasteful. Everything she accused Paula of was exactly how Paula felt about her.
After not getting an answer, Paula stood up. "Are you finished eating?"
