“This reminds me of The Bridges of Madison County,” Isabella said, choosing a nail color. She had called Geneva for them to have girl time. The women would get manicures and then catch a flick.
“Not that movie again. I don’t know how you always manage to bring every relationship back to that film.”
The Bridges of Madison County highlighted the story of a married woman who fell in love with a photographer after four days. Their love spanned decades. It had garnered Meryl Streep a well-deserved Best Actress Academy Award.
“I never compared you and Josh to Bridges. But you and Joshua remind me of Clint and Meryl. I’m telling you, I need to get some popcorn and watch how this all pops off.” Isabella chose a brick red nail polish.
Geneva rolled her eyes. “Are you forgetting that Clint and Meryl didn’t end up together?”
Isabella touched her heart. “But the love. It was deep. It was pure. I cry every time I watch it. I keep wishing she would open the door.”
“I don’t think what Joshua and I are experiencing is anything like Clint and Meryl.”
“The man has been here in Ohio for almost two weeks and hasn’t gone home. He’s been wining and dining you nonstop. Every free moment you have, he’s with you. Your living room is filled with orchids all because you told him those were your favorite flowers. If I didn’t put my foot down, he’d be with you tonight.”
“It’s overwhelming, but wonderful.” She walked toward the nail designs to see what she would put on her toes. She kept her fingernails clear or neutral, but she always hooked up her feet.
Isabella smiled. “You deserve it. When you called me crying from Atlanta, I was worried you wouldn’t give him a chance.”
“Yeah, well, I wasn’t going to, but I had to after he said those words.”
“Be patient, I’m worth the wait,” Isabella said dreamily. “That’s stuff for fairytales. And like Clint said, it only happens once in a lifetime.”
Geneva decided on butterflies and pointed them out to the nail technician. Soon, the women had their feet in the bubbling water. The nail techs were finishing up with other customers while they soaked.
“So, do you think he’s worth the wait?” Isabella asked.
Geneva bit her lip. “I like him, but I don’t know. His lifestyle is so different from mine.”
“You can change your lifestyle. I’m asking about the man. The character underneath the façade.”
“He has potential. He’s intelligent and has business savvy. Based on his investments, Joshua won’t have to worry about money for the rest of his life. It’s his soul that has me concerned.”
“Haven’t you been praying and studying with him?” Isabella asked.
She nodded. “Every day, we meditate on the word. Joshua is truly hungry to learn about God. But learning about God and knowing God are two different things. He’s a chameleon. Joshua moves between both worlds too easily.”
“Keep praying. God didn’t bring him into your life by accident. I believe that.”
Geneva nodded. “I agree. When I watched the live video, I saw the loneliness in his eyes. That’s what drew me to him. Joshua says he was drawn to me as well. We can talk, we can laugh, and besides the photo shoot, everything has been… easy.”
“Nothing is wrong with easy. When a puzzle piece fits, it fits. Don’t be alarmed because you’re not struggling. Love doesn’t have to be a struggle.”
Geneva’s body jerked. “Love? Whoa. It’s too soon to use that word.”
Isabella tilted her head. “Why do you say that?”
“Because no one falls in love in two weeks.”
“Do you hate him?” Isabella asked. She had that stubborn jut to her jaw that Geneva recognized. Isabella wasn’t giving up until she had made her point.
Geneva shook her head.
“Then you love him.”
Geneva rolled her eyes. “That reasoning doesn’t make any sense. It’s not that simple.”
“It is,” she said, slapping her fist in her hand. “People are the ones that make love complicated. Why does God love us? No one can answer that or even understand why. He just does.”
Geneva folded her arms. “I believe in lust at first sight, but I don’t believe in love.” She lived upright during the day, but at night, Joshua filled her dreams. Some nights, she had to toss the covers to cool her body down.
Isabella continued. “You’re God’s child. He loved you before you were conceived. So, I believe in love at first sight. I think God opened you and Joshua’s hearts to each other from across the distance. Both of your feelings for each other started online.”
Two nail techs came over and began scrubbing their feet.
Geneva shook her head. “You’re a romantic. Logically, it doesn’t happen like that.”
“How do you explain Isaac falling for Rebecca at first sight? That’s what the Bible says, and it’s truth.”
“Yes, that happened. I believe it. But that was back in the olden days. Love takes time to develop. It has to be nurtured to grow.”
“Love like that is not just for the past. The devil’s telling people that lie. The struggle isn’t the love. I think individual situations impede love. And, yes, you’re right. It has to be nurtured. You have to feed it, but at the root of it all, it’s still love.” She pursed her lips. “Maybe Pastor needs to put me on the podium next week.”
“But ten days ago, I was engaged to someone else.”
“Yes, and you’re so crushed.” Isabella’s sarcasm was on full display. “You’re not hurting over Josh. What you feel is relief. Relief that you didn’t make a big mistake. A mistake you didn’t know you were making until you met Joshua. Admit it.”
Geneva lowered her head and nodded.
Isabella did a fist pump. “I knew it.”
“Every night before I fall asleep, I’m in awe that if I hadn’t been dumped by Josh, I wouldn’t have met Joshua,” Geneva said. Her voice hitched. “He’s a wonderful man. This whole experience is surreal.”
Isabella held up a hand. “Let’s change topics for now. I don’t want you falling apart in here. Let’s talk when our feet are done.”
Geneva nodded. They drifted to other conversations. Once they paid and tipped the techs, they decided to ditch the movie.
“God brought Joshua into your life, Geneva. And when God gives you a gift, you take it.” She squeezed Geneva’s hand.
“I never had this certainty with Josh. When I’m with Joshua, I feel a certainty from deep in my gut.” She stilled. “Could I be in love with Joshua?”
“Yes, you are. Your heart knows it.” Isabella cupped Geneva’s face in her hands. “It’s okay to do something crazy and fall in love. Allow yourself to throw your plans out of the window. Just open your arms and fall. He’ll catch you. I’m sure of it.”
“I don’t know how. My mother was carefree and it led to her death.”
Isabella dropped her hands from Geneva’s face and squeezed her shoulders. “You need to change your mindset. Your mother lived. She died with all her wishes fulfilled. She died doing something she loved. Will you be able to say the same?”