Love Letters (14 page)

Richard stood to pick up Dorothy’s hat then returned to the table. “Look, Mom, Chloe is going to be my wife, whether you like it or not. She may not be like the Southern girls, but she’s the woman for me so you better start treating her like your daughter-in-law.”

“
Well of course,” Dorothy said.

Richard took Chloe’s hand and held it tight while Chloe gave Dorothy a sweet smile.

“
When do we meet your mother?” Senior asked, continuing to eat his bread as though oblivious to the whole thing.

“
She’s in South America right now and will be back in a week. Probably the next time you visit.”

Dorothy raised her eyebrows. “South America … she seems a lot like you.”

“
She’s very different from me,” Chloe said defensively.

Chloe excused herself to go to the bathroom. It was two o’ clock and she felt as though she couldn’t put up with Dorothy’s sarcastic remarks a minute longer. Chloe couldn’t let Dorothy treat her like she was of no value. It was obvious that Dorothy didn’t like her, but Chloe wasn’t going to go out of her way to prove her worth to Dorothy. She hugged herself, glad that Richard had protected her twice. In his own crazy way, he must love her.

As she washed her hands, her thoughts shifted to Josh. His parents were warm and simple. They always treated her like one of the family. She remembered what Hannah, the lady trying on the gown had said about Josh—about how perfect they looked together. She applied her lipstick and shook her head. She was more confused than ever.

As she walked back to her table, she noticed both Richard and Dorothy smile at her after what seemed like a discussion between mother and son.

“
Ah, you’re back. I have a surprise for you,” Richard said, reaching into his pocket.

“
What is it?” Chloe asked, cocking her head.

He took out a small silver box from his pocket. “I know I’ve been busy these past few months and I haven’t been quite attentive to you, but since we nailed the Sacramento deal I wanted to give you something.”

Chloe opened the box and pulled out a gold ID bracelet that had her name engraved on it.
I love you forever, R
was engraved at the back of the bracelet. “Oh, it’s so beautiful, thank you.”

Richard gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. “You’ve been very patient and understanding with me all this time and I know that I’ve been very difficult to deal with.”

Chloe felt her face flush. She still hadn’t told Richard about Josh. She also needed to convince Richard not to insist that she sell her house and quit her job, or to give away Greta. Richard would be busy the whole week taking his parents around town, so she would have to wait until his parents left before she could talk to him.

Chloe felt her heart melt. She knew deep inside that Richard was a decent man and very smart. She wouldn’t have fallen for him if it weren’t for his good qualities, but as the wedding date drew closer, she was becoming more attached to Josh. Could it be because of Richard’s absence? She wasn’t sure anymore. She would hate to think she might be using Josh because she missed Richard, and yet she couldn’t marry the wrong man. She knew she had to decide sooner or later.

Richard was going to take his folks around San Francisco, so he paid the bill and they walked together towards the lobby. Dorothy was now quiet, making it obvious to Chloe that Richard had warned her to be nice. Chloe gave Richard’s parents a tight hug and wished them a wonderful stay.

“
I’ll call you later,” Richard whispered in her ear.

She was glad that she had survived lunch, but her only wish was for Dorothy to give her a chance.

Back in her Jetta, Chloe decided to call Nicole. The strong rush of wind made it difficult for Chloe to hear Nicole. “Chloe, where are you?”

“
I’m in the parking lot of the Ritz hotel.”

“
How did lunch go?” Nicole asked.

“
How do you think it went?”

Nicole laughed. Chloe had told her about Richard’s mom in the past. “Why don’t you come over?” Nicole asked.

“
How’s the Maverick competition? Do you think I can still make it before it’s over?”

“
If you can find us. There are a million people here and it’s halfway through,” Nicole said.

Chloe closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure she should meet with Josh again, but she also wanted to talk to Nicole about how confused she was. “I’ll find you guys.”

“
All right, call me as soon as you get here.”

Her heart stopped when she overheard Josh ask Nicole if Chloe were coming. There was no place she would rather be
.

She drove back home to change into black sweats, a powder blue hoodie and her matching Puma sneakers. She knew it would be impossible to find parking in Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay, so she called for a cab.

The cab arrived at her house five minutes later. She arrived at Pillar Point ten minutes later carrying her binoculars. The Maverick started at eight that morning and a crowd of people were already there watching the strong waves. She paid for her ticket and looked at the program event.

On the bay, people were seated on boats watching the competition. The program said there were twenty-four surfers from countries like Brazil, Hawaii, South Africa and the mainland, divided into six Heat levels.
Nicole’s right. How on earth am I going to find them?
Chloe kept pushing her way through the crowds. People were cheering, while others were jumping, and still others were taking photos.
This is impossible. I should just leave.

Her phone began ringing. It was buried in her bag. “Chloe, where are you?”

“
Nic, I just got here, but I don’t think I’ll be able to find you guys,” Chloe said, using her binoculars.

“
Is that Chloe? Can I talk to her?” she overheard Josh ask Nicole.

“
Let me pass you to Josh. He’s here beside me,” Nicole said.

“
Hey, Chloe, where are you? I’ll come find you.”

Chloe had butterflies in her stomach.
Why does he sound like he wants to rescue me?
“Um, I’m by the entrance. Where are you guys?”

“
Stay where you are. I’ll come get you,” Josh said.

Chloe’s stomach lurched as she waited for Josh. Minutes later, Chloe felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, and standing right behind her was Josh, smiling. “I told you I’d find you.”

“
But how?” Chloe gasped.

“
Instinct.” Josh winked. “Now come with me. We’re seated all the way down on Phil’s boat.”

Chloe swore her heart skipped a beat as she felt his strong hands propelling her toward Nicole and Matt. She remembered when they first held hands. She could hardly sleep that night, thinking about him. Now his warmth sent shivers up her spine.

She pulled her hand gently away and removed her hair from her face. “Who’s leading?”

“
Looks like Lloyd Sounters from Hawaii. He’s fast,” Josh said, walking ahead of her.

Chloe nodded, amazed by the crowd. “I’ve lived all my life in Half Moon Bay and I have never seen a Maverick competition.”

“
There’s always a first time for everything.”

You’re right Josh.

They arrived safely in their seats and Nicole gave Chloe a big hug. “Josh found you.”

Chloe took a seat beside Josh. “Yes, he did.”

“
Chloe, I can’t tell you how exciting this is. You should see what a good surfer Phil has become,” Nicole said.

Chloe leaned in to get a better view of the surfers. She opened her mouth at how high the waves swelled, but couldn’t concentrate on the competition. All she could think of was Josh seated beside her.
This isn’t right, I should go.

“
How did your lunch date with the future in-laws go?” Josh asked.

Chloe laughed. “It was very intense.”

“
What do you mean?” Josh cocked his head and smiled.

“
You have to meet my future mother-in-law to understand. She’s a control freak like my mother, except she’s the domesticated type,” Chloe said. “She expects me to be like her. According to her, she cooked, cleaned, did laundry, took care of her garden and raised eight kids all at once. I was hoping I would fit in, but now I’m not so sure…”

“
Is she judgmental?”

“
She hardly knows me because she lives in Atlanta but each time we meet she seems to make a point of how different we are. On the other hand, you can’t really blame her for acting that way since she’s only looking out for her son’s best interest,” Chloe said. “I try to take the higher road when I’m with her.”

“
Hmmm, so what do you mean by taking the higher road?”

“
I try not to take things personally.”

“
That’s very mature of you,” Josh said. “And what did Richard do when his mother was putting you down?”

“
Richard tried to protect me.”

Josh’s eyes grew wide as he eyed Chloe’s bracelet. “He did?”

“
Yes, as a matter of fact he did,” Chloe said, looking away. There were so many things on her mind and she was more confused now that Richard had acknowledged his behavior towards her. He was busy closing deals. Maybe she could have been more understanding of the pressure he was going through.

Josh changed the subject. “How about his dad?”

“
I can deal with his dad. It’s his mom who drives me nuts. She and my mom have to accept that I have my own identity. Why can’t they understand that?”

“
Good question,” Josh said, frowning. “Possibly because you’re basically a happy-go-lucky person who isn’t intimidated by anybody.”

Chloe stared at him in disbelief. “How could you tell?”

Josh laughed. “Are you serious? You don’t have to be a genius to guess that. Your aura screams it, Chloe. You have to be the easiest person to get along with.”

Chloe blushed. “Thanks, Josh. Nobody has ever told me that before.”

Josh grinned. “There’s always a first time.”

Nicole nudged Chloe. “Chloe you missed it – Lloyd won and Phil came in second place. It was close, and Phil would have had his chance if he hadn’t lost his balance.”

The crowd was cheering wildly as the host made the announcements.

“
Nic, I didn’t bring my car, can I get a ride home?” Chloe asked as they stood up to leave.

“
There’s going to be a victory party tonight at Sam’s Chowder House, and Phil is allowed to bring his friends. Do you want to come?” Josh asked.

Before Chloe could answer Nicole said that she would be coming.

Chloe nudged Nicole from the back.

“
I can drop you off now and pick you up at 6:30,” Josh said.

Nicole turned around to wink at Chloe.

“
Thanks, Josh,” Chloe said. She knew that Nicole would insist Chloe ride with Josh, so she didn’t bother to argue.

She rode in Josh’s Mustang as they talked more about the surfing competition on her ride home. After walking her to her house, he told her he’d be back at six-thirty. She thanked him and waved goodbye feeling more confused than ever.

Greta came running to greet Chloe as she went to the kitchen to put food in the French bulldog’s bowl. She walked upstairs to her room and straight to her walk-in closet. She had so many clothes, yet she didn’t know what to wear. She called Richard and told him that she would be going to the Maverick victory party with Nicole. She told him briefly about Josh and Phil, but didn’t mention that Josh was her ex-boyfriend. That was something she couldn’t tell Richard over the phone.

“
Have fun,” he said, then hung up.

After trying on four outfits, Chloe decided to wear tight jeans and a knitted V-neck gray shirt with a black tank inside. She put her hair down this time but didn’t flat iron it. She enjoyed her curly hair hanging loose like the wind. She put on her magic mascara and a touch of gloss.

“
All set!” she said to her reflection in the mirror.

The doorbell rang and Greta immediately raced downstairs. She was barking excitedly and wagging her tail. Chloe splashed on some Cherry Blossoms, her favorite scent from Bath and Body Works, and smelled her breath before opening the door. Josh was standing there; his hair gelled and tied into a ponytail. He was wearing a pale blue long-sleeve shirt and slacks. Chloe took a deep breath.
He looks gorgeous.

“
You look beautiful,” Josh said as she opened the door.

“
Thanks, you don’t look so bad yourself,” Chloe said staring at him.
This feels like a date.

Chloe noticed that Josh was quiet while driving to the restaurant, so she decided to turn up the volume of the radio. They arrived at Sam’s Chowder House fifteen minutes later. As they entered the restaurant, the waiter directed them to go to the Harbor room. Phil, Matt and Nicole were already seated at the center table.

Nicole stood up to give Chloe a hug.

“
You only saw each other two hours ago and you’re hugging again,” Matt teased.

“
Chloe is my best friend,” Nicole said, poking him.