Chapter 503 - Lunch (6 and 2 and 1)

Sophia, JoAnna and Sarah met for lunch. Of course, Felix, Jeff and Aiden didn't leave ladies by themselves.

David was not happy to hear from Felix that this is a family-only lunch. But he got the point that he is not welcome and decided to join Isabella and Leah. He was even more unhappy when he realized that two of them already left! At the end, he went to have a sandwich at a deli around the corner. By himself.

Our party of six enjoyed good food in a relaxed atmosphere of an upscale restaurant which provided great ocean views.

"There are more events at the company in the afternoon, any of you want to join?", Sophia offered with hope that her sisters will be interested.

"You are getting another furniture delivery today…", Sarah reminded her. "We will be at your house to make sure everything is all right and assembled. And before you even ask, another furniture delivery is scheduled for tomorrow."

"Oh, right…", Sophia realized that Sarah and Aiden will not join.

"How about you two?", Sophia asked JoAnna and Jeff.

"Not us." JoAnna rejected with a big smile. "We are heading back to Los Angeles today to pack. Tomorrow my future husband is taking me for a trip around the world!"

"Really?!", Sophia was surprised. "I didn't know you are taking a vacation."

JoAnna pursed her lips. "I didn't say it's a vacation… Jeff is going on a business trip, and I will join him. Brazil, France, India, Japan. Bridgette and Steve will join as well."

"Bridgette?", Felix frowned. He didn't know that she will be going… and with Steve?! Felix's acceptance of Steve was at about 98%. The remaining 2% didn't like that his baby sister is dating… and living with a man… and will go on a trip with him!

"I will need an assistant, and she is interested in the position." JoAnna explained. "This will be part of the trial, for both of us. She is already helping me with a house hunt."

Felix's frown deepened. He didn't know that his baby sister is considering to go back to being an assistant. 'I will need to call her and see what she is up to.'

"Yes, house!" Sarah exclaimed remembering that she wants to give them Eve for security. "How is that going?"

"I think we are getting close to figuring out what will work." JoAnna glanced at Jeff. "But we are far away from making an offer."

JoAnna remembered how no matter what she found so far, Jeff's response was to keep looking and find something bigger, more luxurious, better finishes… She saw so many mansions and over-the-top villas that she thinks she can become real-estate agent herself. She is also confident that there is nothing out there that will be good enough for Jeff.

In truth, Jeff thinks that JoAnna is too budget conscious and he wants to get her the best there is without looking how much it costs. Because they can afford it and he wants to indulge her.

"OK. OK… I see everyone has plans." She gave up on persuading them, since all of them have good reasons not to come.

"Besides business, do you have anything else planned during your trip around the world?", Sophia asked JoAnna.

"Sightseeing… oh, right! I was hoping we can go and visit Gran and Gramps while in India." JoAnna was enthusiastic. She plans to ask them about her stay at the East Coast as a child. Part of her wishes that 'Little J' from Jeff's memories is her.

"When will you go there? Make sure you don't miss them... You know they are coming here for the wedding, right?", Sophia smiled seeing that both Sarah's and JoAnna's faces lit up.

"What? I didn't know that…" JoAnna was surprised.

Sophia nodded, obviously happy that their grandparents decided to come and attend her wedding. "Mom told me this morning. They confirmed. They will come first week of July and stay until end of September… so they can attend both weddings without traveling again."

"I didn't know that…" JoAnna turned to Jeff. "It seems that we got first confirmation who will attend our wedding. Before we even sent any invitations!" She laughed.

Jeff was happy. In only two and a half months he will get to call JoAnna 'Mrs. Jeffrey White'. And not only him, but everyone will know that she is his wife.

Six of them chatted and wished that this lunch can last forever.

However, Sophia needed to return in time when afternoon events start to give a speech.

Sarah and Aiden were heading to Sophia's and Felix's new house to wait for furniture delivery, and to set up Eve on neighboring properties secretly, since Jeff and JoAnna still didn't tell them what they got them as a wedding gift.

JoAnna and Jeff were heading back to Los Angeles to pack and get ready for their next adventure.

…

In another restaurant, in a private setting, Isabella and Leah are having lunch. Plates of food are in front of them, neither is eating.

Leah observed that Isabella has no intention to talk first and tried to find a way to break the ice.

"I'm sorry…", Leah weakly said.

"About?"

"For being a jerk.", Leah admitted.

Isabella didn't respond. She only observed Leah, waiting for her to continue talking.

Leah realized that the only way out of this is for her to speak the truth. "I saw you last night talking with Bryan. And I jumped to conclusions… that you are interested in him."

Isabella nodded in understanding. Now she knows why Leah rejected her for the rest of the evening. "It would be nice if you confronted me about that… and gave me a chance to explain."

Leah exhaled. "I know… it's just that… I had too many breakups, and my hart was broken more times than I want to remember… and instinctively I assumed that you had your fun with me and moved on."

Isabella frowned. "Don't assume that you are the only one with a history of being brokenhearted."

Leah lowered her head. She didn't know what else to say. Isabella is right. She made her own assumptions and instead of talking it out and clarifying, she pushed Isabella away.

Isabella saw that Leah is down and thought that she is too harsh. If she expects Leah to be honest and talk about what is on her mind, she should do the same.

Isabella placed her hand over Leah's. "I don't mind the fun part. I find you very attractive. But I like you, and I would like to get to know you. And if you want this to work out, remember that we need to talk things through and not jump to conclusions."

Leah looked at Isabella's petite hand covering hers. Hearing Isabella's words, she looked up at her and smiled. "Understood."

Leah felt as a big weight was removed from her chest. She was able to breathe again. Leah was happy that Isabella gave her another chance.

They spent the rest of the lunch eating and chatting and getting to know each other better.