Page 53 of Searching for Bristol
Elsie’s cell rang, and she sent an apologetic look toward Bristol and Finley. “It’s Zeke. He said he’d call when they got close to make sure I didn’t miss them.”
“No problem. Tell him we can’t wait to show our adoration,” Bristol teased.
Elsie chuckled and stood to answer the phone, taking a few steps toward the building behind her to get some privacy as she spoke to her husband.
Knowing she didn’t have much time before Elsie was back, and not wanting to embarrass Finley, she said quickly, “He’s pretty awesome.”
“Who? Zeke? Yeah, Elsie’s lucky.”
“No. I mean, yes, he’s awesome too. But I was talking about Brock.”
Finley looked surprised for a moment, but quickly hid the emotion. “You like him?”
Bristol rolled her eyes. “Come on, give me a break. I think it’s pretty obvious the only guy I like is the one I’m currently living with.”
“What’s up with that?” Finley asked. “Are you guys dating yet?”
Bristol shook her head. “Nope, I’m not going to let you change the subject. What’s up with you and Brock?”
Finley sighed. “Nothing.”
Bristol raised an eyebrow, showing her skepticism.
“Seriously. You saw. He doesn’t even know I exist. The only reason he stopped was because you and Elsie are here.”
“You didn’t talk to him though,” Bristol pushed, but in a gentle way.
“I don’t know what to say,” Finley replied with a sigh. “He’s…he’s lived this amazing life and has done all these awesome things. I’m just me. Besides, he’d never look twice at me. I mean, look at me, then look athim.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Bristol said.
Finley scoffed. “Yeah, right. I’m fat,” she said bluntly. “And I own a bakery. What a stereotype. Don’t get me wrong, I’m old enough to know I’m never going to look like the women in magazines. I like sweets too much to even care what I weigh. I’ve always been big, it is what it is. But there’s no way he’d ever be interested. You saw him. He’s so…built. He could literally have any woman he wanted. He needs someone elegant. Exotic. Not someone like me.”
“I think you’re wrong,” Bristol said with a shake of her head. “I don’t know him all that well, but from what I’ve seen, none of the guys are superficial enough to base their attraction to a woman simply on looks. Besides…he can’t take his eyes off you when you’re around.”
“What? That’s not true,” Finley insisted.
“It is,” Bristol told her.
“Whatever,” she sighed. “I’m telling you, Brock Mabrey is never going to look at me as anything other than the frumpy, shy woman who smells like cinnamon and works at the bakery.”
Bristol frowned. “You don’t know that.”
Finley gave her a rueful look. “I do. But I love that you think I’d even have a chance with him.”
Bristol wanted to continue the conversation. To assure Finley that she was definitely pretty enough to catch any guy’s eye and that she’d make an amazing partner, but this wasn’t exactly the time or place. She also yearned to take Brock aside to find out what he thought of Finley…subtly, of course.
“They’re almost here!” Elsie said as she returned to Bristol and Finley. She didn’t sit, just shuffled excitedly from foot to foot as she stared down Main Street, where the SUV carrying her son and husband would appear.
Three minutes later, there they were. Tony was waving like crazy to everyone lined up on the sidewalk, while Zeke was sitting with a half-smile on his face as he kept one hand on Tony’s back to make sure he didn’t fall off the roof of the SUV. There were streamers trailing from the vehicle, and a large posterboard on the side proclaiming Tony and Zeke “Heroes of the Year.” Tony was wearing a crown that kept slipping forward over his forehead with his exuberant movements.
Elsie squealed a little in excitement and waved just as excitedly as her son. She blew a kiss to her men, and Bristol had to admit that her heart fluttered a bit when Zeke gave her a small chin lift and put his hand over his heart as he stared back at her.
They passed by them in seconds, but it was obvious this moment would last a long time in the family’s memory. Since the heroes’ “float” was one of the last in the parade, the people around them began to move off the sidewalks and cross the street to head into the grassy area of the square, finding places to sit for the rest of the afternoon’s festivities.
“Go on,” Bristol urged Elsie. “I’m sure Tony is going to want to tell you all about it. And Lilly will want to take pictures of you guys all together.”
“Will you be all right?” Elsie asked.
