Chapter 102

After Jocelyn locked the door, they hurried to Santa's Cafe. It wasn't far--just kitty corner from the jewelry shop. Although it had stopped snowing, it seemed to be getting colder by the minute.
"So, how do you like your new apartment?" Jocelyn asked.
"It's wonderful," Kiki gushed. "You wouldn't believe it, but he gave his credit card to Ms. Bennet and she filled the apartment."
Jocelyn smiled. "She came to see me while you were in the hospital."
Kiki chuckled. "I thought so. All of the clothes are the right size, even down to the shoes! I knew she had to have talked to you. You're the only one who would have known that much about me."
Jocelyn linked her arm with Kiki's. "What are friends for?"
They reached the cafe and Jocelyn opened the door for her.
"Welcome to Santa's Cafe!" a friendly waitress yelled across the room. "Go ahead and sit anywhere, and I'll be right with you."
"Thank you!" Jocelyn shouted back and then led the way to a booth and Kiki sat across from her. "So, what's up? How've you been?"
Kiki's lips curled into a smile. "I'm feeling much better, thanks. More like my old self again."
"Good. I'm glad." Jocelyn took off her coat and laid it down on the bench seat beside her, and Kiki did the same. "So, how are things with you and Taren?"
Kiki let out a deep breath as she leaned back. "I don't think it's going to work out."
"What? Why?" Jocelyn asked, her eyes wide.
"I made him some fudge today and took it to him," Kiki began, "but when I got there, he was with his ex."
"Scarlett is back?" Jocelyn's voice rose three octaves.
"Ssshhh-." Kiki whispered, nodding. "He was talking to her and it looked like they were getting back together."
Jocelyn scoffed. "You don't know that-."
"She's Abby's mother. If they can get back together for her sake, then who am I to stand in their way?"
"Hello!" the waitress approached. Her name tag said Sandy. Kiki thought that she must be a new night shift waitress. "What can I get you to drink?"
"Hot cocoa for me," Jocelyn replied, and then raised her eyebrows at Kiki.
"The same, please."
"I'll be right back!" Sandy rushed off, and then greeted another couple who walked in the door.
Jocelyn leaned closer, keeping her voice down this time. "Who says they're getting back together?"
"You should have seen the way he looked at her." Kiki sighed. "Scarlett's curvy with wavy blonde hair down her back, prettier than she even was in high school, wearing high heels, and a faux fur, to top it off."
Jocelyn smirked. "Reminds me of Mallory." Mallory was her model-want-to-be sister, who had just left for California to make it big.
"I'm serious."
"So am I." Jocelyn's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "Have you talked to him yet?"
"He texted me, but was on a call." Kiki's eyebrows pull together in concern. "I made sure he was safe, but haven't texted him back yet."
"Then talk to him," Jocelyn coaxed. "It's probably just a big misunderstanding."
Kiki shook her head. "No. What would he want with someone like me, anyway? I'm not gorgeous. I'm just--"
"Beautiful, kind, intelligent, creative, gifted-." One corner of Jocelyn's lips curled into a smile. "Shall I go on?"
Kiki shook her head, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.
"Look." Jocelyn bit her lower lip and released it. "It may just be a misunderstanding, or it may be everything that you said. But you have to talk to him to find out." Jocelyn smiled. "But I really think it was just a misunderstanding. After all, she's Abby's mother. She may be wanting to see her. Just see her, nothing more."
"But--"
"Talk to him."
"But what if--"
"What if what?" Jocelyn asked. "What if the sky falls down all over us tomorrow? What if the rain turned to gumdrops and fell from the sky? What if Santa Claus magically appears and makes all of our dreams come true?"
Kiki smirked.
"All I'm saying is that you can't live in the world of 'What Ifs." Jocelyn shook her head. "Believe me, life's too short. You have to live it now, while you can. You don't want to turn into a lonely cat lady, living in the land of 'What Ifs.' But only then you'll be saying 'What if I had given Taren a chance?' 'What if I would have given him the benefit of the doubt and talked to him?' And that's not you." She reached over and gave Kiki's hand a gentle squeeze. "You're brave, Kiki. One of the bravest people I know. Now, call him and talk to him- before it's too late."
"Too late?"
"Fight for your man, honey," Sandy said when she approached with two hot mugs of cocoa, as her caramel face curled into a smile. "Sorry. Couldn't help but overhear."
"Thank you!" Jocelyn said, her eyes wide. "That's exactly what I've been trying to tell her!"
Sandy shrugged. "I agree with your friend. Life is too short to assume and guess." Then she smiled and tapped lightly on the table. "If you need anything more--including advice--just let me know." She gave Kiki a wink and then hurried over to another table.
Jocelyn stirred her hot cocoa and set the spoon down on a paper napkin, smiling broadly. "So, it's settled, then. You're going to talk to him and right now, we're going to enjoy this nice cup of cocoa and good company." Jocelyn held up her hot cocoa. "Cheers!"
"Cheers!" Kiki clanked her mug against Jocelyn's and took a sip, letting the hot liquid warm her body as it traveled down her throat and into her chest. "So, how are things with you and Caden?"
The conversation turned light and by the time they left, Kiki felt much better. Maybe Jocelyn was right. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding. But one thing was sure: She wouldn't know until she talked to him. As she talked to Jocelyn about lighter things, she made a silent vow to talk to him, at least, and let the chips fall where they may. But she was afraid of where they might fall.