While the girls were prepping dinner Lisa and Jason now began to idolly chat. “Looks like your niece went to a lot of trouble for us,” he mused. Lisa gazed into the kitchen and smirked as she could see the girls busily getting things ready. “Yeah they went all out,” she said. “They even got Gloria involved in all this.”
Jason laughed softly as Mary Elise and Gloria exited the kitchen carrying salads with them. “Mr. Turner, Ms. O’Toole,” Gloria said, trying to sound like a hostess. “The first course is served. Is their anything else you need.? Would you like something else to drink?”
“No we’re good sweetheart thank you,” Jason said kindly. “By the way your doing an excellent job as hostess.” Gloria smiled broadly as she turned and raced into the kitchen. Jason smiled and shook his head, he couldn’t help feeling a bit of pride watching his daughter acting so grown up.
“You know you have a really great kid their Jason,” Lisa said. Jason now looked at Lisa thanking her. “I think we both have pretty good kids if they’re willing to do all this.”
Lisa nodded as she began eating her salad. “Jason,” she said in between bites. “Listen, I.....I really want to apologize for Saturday. I was out of line....I shouldn’t of gone off like I did. It’s just.....”
“Hey it’s okay,” Jason said kindly. “Look I understand why You said what you did. It’s just that....well I may not have a wife any more but I’m still married. I’m still trying to come to terms with it after all these years. I do like you Lisa, I really do but I....I don’t know if I’m ready to say if anything can be long term. You understand what I’m saying?”
Lisa nodded sadly. While she was ready to go all in with Jason she had not considered his feelings in the matter. She had forgotten he was a widow, his wife had died tragically and only now was he beginning to try and start dating again. As she looked at him she began to understand something. While Jason may love her, his deceased wife would always be a specter in their relationship. Lisa bit down, it would be something she would have to contend with if she wanted to be with Jason. The question is could she. Taking a deep breath she now gazed into Jason’s eyes.
“Jason,” Lisa said, taking a deep breath. “There’s something I want to say. And I really hope I’m not making an ass out of myself saying this.” Jason now looked at Lisa, curious as to where she was going. “Jason....I....I love you,”
Jason now stared at Lisa in shock, he had suspected this but never thought Lisa would say anything. “Lisa,” he whispered. “I...I love you too. I just....I feel, well...this is really hard for me. As dumb as it sounds I feel guilty about saying that, I’m single yeah and I even took the ring off after all these years but......I can still feel it.”
Lisa smiled warmly as she took Jason’s hand in hers. “It’s not stupid,” she said warmly. “Look I get it I can’t even imagine what you must of gone through, but I’m willing to see how things go. I’ve...ive spent a lot of time over the last couple of days thinking. I can’t rush things, even though I want too. I need to learn to be patient and I think that when it comes to you and me I can be.”
“How are things going,” Kellie asked as she put the finishing touches the appetizers. Katie, had been watching intently from the kitchen window as Lisa and Jason talked. The two adults were happily talking now and even holding each others hands. Katie took it as a good sign, yet still she worried things may not turn out as expected. “Okay I think,” Katie shrugged. “I do know bringing Gloria in on this is working like a charm. That girl is seriously adorable.”
Kellie smiled as she watched Gloria mill around the kitchen. “Now you know why she’s my favorite to babysit,” she smirked.
Katie grinned back as Claudia and Mika now took the appetizers out to Jason and Lisa Katie was amazed how well everyone was working as a team. If everything kept going smoothly, maybe just maybe things could work out.
“Hey what do you need me to do,” Samantha asked.
Katie glanced over at the energetic brunette. “I don’t think theirs anything that needs to be done right now,” she said. “Ashley, Jennifer and Shiro are keeping an eye on dinner. Claudia and Mika are bringing out appetizers and me and Kellie got desert.”
Samantha frowned as she looked at her friends. “Cmon guys let me help with something, “ she pleaded. “No offense Sammy,” Ashley said wiping her brow. “But your a bit of a clutz.”
Samantha frowned before turning back to Katie. “Katie,” she pleaded. “Look, I want to help Lisa too. Just give me a chance.”
Katie sighed as she looked at her friend. “Okay,” she sighed. “Why don’t you help clear the salad plates.”
Samantha smiled as she turned. “Don’t worry Katie I promise...” Samantha couldn’t complete her sentence as she walked face first into the sliding glass door. Momentarily stunned the girl blushed before smiling and heading out to the backyard.
“Like I said, clutz.”
Katie could only shake her head.