Page 106 of My Only

It didn’t seem like a big deal.

It was only after Harper and I pulled up to Vernon’s that I felt uneasy.

The feeling hit me the moment I stepped out of the car, reached for the restaurant’s front door, and held it open for her.

Because I’d only ever done that for Ayla whenever we visited Vernon’s.

This place had been our spot since my parents first brought us here years ago. Ayla fell in love with it that night, and from then on, it became the restaurant we always came back to.

And people here knew us.

I suddenly realized how this might look.

I hadn’t thought about it when Harper suggested it.

Hadn’t thought about it during the car ride over.

Hadn’t thought about it when I found parking out front.

But now?

Now, it was all I could think about.

We stepped inside, and I instinctively held my breath as we approached a group of people who crowded the podium.

Please don’t be here. Please don’t be here.

The small group parted for Harper and I, and as luck would have it, Miranda, the usual hostess, wasn’t at the stand.

Instead, a male host greeted us.

I let out a breath of relief.

And then immediately frowned.

Why the hell am I relieved? I’m not doing anything wrong… right?

“Good evening,” the host said, looking between us. “Do you two have a reservation?”

“Nope,” Harper giggled. “We’re walk-ins.”

My eyes scanned the restaurant, taking in the intimate booths, the dim lighting, the couples leaning close over their meals.

None of it helped the uneasy feeling creeping up my spine.

“No worries,” the host said. “We have a few open tables. I can seat you now.”

“Oh,” I cut in, shaking my head. “We don’t need a table.”

I turned to Harper.

“You’re just picking up food, right?”

“Well,” she pivoted, facing me fully. “We could just eat here.”

“Oh, nah.” I chuckled nervously, trying to keep my tone light. “I’m not eating. I just came to grab the bread pudding and head home.”

Harper let out a soft laugh, unfazed. Then she glanced back at the host before refocusing on me.

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