9. Sara

Chapter nine

Sara

What just happened?

I walk inside, my thoughts swimming as I head in. Bianca looks at me across at the cash register, her brows furrowed and curious.

"There you are. I saw you talking with that guy."

"Yeah, uh, that's my boyfriend. I think."

Bianca's head cocks at my words.

"You think?"

"Yeah. I don't really know if we are together or not," I admit.

Robert hasn't reached out in the last couple of weeks, but he's here now, asking me to come with him to Bermuda, of all places! I've got to text Katie and tell her.

"Well, that's interesting. I'm happy that you found someone—wait, that's the guy from the other day, right?"

I nod slightly. "Yeah. We went on a date, and he's actually really nice."

Bianca's hand rests on her chin, scratching it. "Very interesting development. Never would've thought you two would end up dating."

"Trust me, I can barely think straight after this either," I admit. I'm still reeling from what transpired.

I head to the back, catching my breath. My chest tightens as anxiety floods my body, and I take a few calming breaths before the tightness disappears.

Now, to figure out time off.

The café's pretty flexible on time off, as long as you give them plenty of advance notice. I put in the request, praying that Lukas doesn't have some kind of hidden agenda and won't let me go.

I try to go through the rest of my day, but the entire time, I can barely think straight.

Robert wants to take me to a whole new country. And he wants to introduce me to his parents? This feels like some sort of fairy tale dream that only happens in those romance movies that Katie loves to watch.

Speaking of which, I'll have to tell her. I text her, telling her that we need to talk when I get home.

After my shift and drive home, I try to find the right way to approach this, especially telling her. I already know that she's going to have more questions than answers for me.

When I step inside, Katie's actually not glued to the TV watching the rom-com of the week. Instead, her nose is in a book, reading yet another romance novel.

"There you are!" she cries out.

Dropping my bag on the chair in the dining room, I smile. "Sorry, it's been a crazy day."

"No, you're fine. I get it. I'm guessing it has something to do with our latte guy?"

"Yeah. Kind of."

I plop onto the couch next to her, trying to figure out how to approach her. A million thoughts run through my head as I attempt to figure out how to start this.

"Well, I saw Robert again."

"Really?"

"Yeah, he came to see me at work."

"Oh dang. That sounds good. Soooo?"

"He just wanted to explain something to me," I finally tell her. It still feels surreal.

"Explain what? It's not like he needs to explain how busy he is and—"

"No, he wants to take me out on a date. And to meet his parents."

Katie blinks as she processes all of this.

"This is quite the development."

I sigh, nodding. I still can't believe this is real, either. "You're telling me! You're in, girl!" Katie nearly shouts.

I look at Katie and wonder what the heck she means. Clearly, she believes this is way deeper than it is.

"I don't know about that—"

"Girl," she interrupts. "He's introducing you to his parents. That's a sign it's gonna be serious."

"I doubt it," I reason. "But the way he did it is strange. He doesn't want me to meet them here."

"Where then? On another planet or something?"

"Close. Bermuda."

Katie drops her book, and I laugh. "Trust me, I thought he was crazy too," I admit.

"Wow. This is really one heck of a development. You're going, right? He must really like you if he's thinking about doing that sort of thing."

"Maybe. It feels more like he's just testing the waters, though," I reply. I don't know how someone tests the waters by taking a potential date out of the country, but Robert may just be a wealthy, eccentric guy.

Katie grabs her book and puts it on the coffee table next to her cappuccino. "I don't think it's a bad thing, but it's certainly a unique way to get to know someone."

"He says he's got property out there," I reason, "and that I will have my own room, of course."

"I guess that makes sense. Hmm. But do you want to go?"

Deep down, I do. Ever since Robert and I had that date, I haven't been able to get him out of my head. I catch myself looking at the door more often these days in hopes that he might be there. When I think about him, a warmth floods through my body and a need pulls me toward him.

"I do. This could be good for both of us. I want to see if this is real."

"I see. Well, I'm not stopping you," Katie says with a snort.

"I know you won't," I joke.

"Hey! I'm just saying you need to be careful. But also, you seem happier, Sara."

"I suppose." I haven't thought about dating guys in who knows how long. Coming back to this is a change of pace, not that I mind it, though. It could be what I need.

"Well, I guess you're going to Bermuda. Gosh, I'm jealous. You better bring me back a souvenir."

"I plan to," I reply.

Katie turns on the TV, and another rom-com plays on the screen. I sit back and watch. It's a little corny, but I don't mind it. At least now the weight's off my chest.

Still, there's a lot to plan. I have to get some swimwear, I think, and a couple of nice outfits. I don't want to look like a bum or anything when we go out there.

Katie suddenly turns off the TV and stands up, turning to face me.

"By the way, are you prepared for this trip?"

"Not really. I've never been to Bermuda before, and the last time I wore a swimsuit was back when I went to the lake house my parents had when I was in high school."

"Why don't we go shopping? We can get you some things."

"Maybe. I haven't even gotten the approval yet."

"Oh, don't worry about it. They'd have to be stupid to not let you go."

"True. I am one of the better employees. And we do have a few people working different shifts. I'm sure I can get someone to cover."

"Well, there you go," she replies, standing up. "We're going shopping tomorrow, and we're going to get you some new duds!"

"Sounds good," I reply with a smile.

A little later my phone buzzes. My request for time off is approved. At least Lukas understands his employees despite being away half the time.

I crawl into bed. As sleep overtakes me, a bubble of excitement in my core grows. I know this is different, but I like it.

I want to get to know Robert and see the real man deep down.