Page 6 of Can't Help Falling in Love
An older couple seated themselves on the patio. The nacho-and-beer guys looked over, one of them waving at her.
“That’s Lena,” Becca said, pointing to their now seated friend. “Lena, Lexi.” Becca’s voice was bright with an enthusiasm that matched her gaze when she turned back to Lexi. “What have you been up to? It’s been forever.”
Everything spun as if she’d polished off all the beer she’d served today. Lexi sank into the chair behind her, more out of necessity than anything else. Will’s brows rose. Their gazes locked, his widening. He gave a subtle shrug, then looked up at Becca.
The smile he gave the woman should have shocked Lexi back to life. It was nothing short of vibrant. Like he was enjoying himself. “We’re having lunch,” Will said.
Like they’d just noticed him, Jackie and Becca gave Will a once-over.
Jackie made a little humming sound in the back of her throat. “No shock you locked down a hottie.” She poked Lexi’s shoulder with a polished pink nail. “Hi. I’m Jackie. Those are my friends Becca and Lena.” Each woman waved with their introduction and Will simply nodded in response.
Lexi curled her own fingers into a fist. Those three women might look like they hadn’t aged since high school, but they were only a fewyears shy of thirty. They could do better in terms of conversation. At least she kept her own thoughts on Will’s smile and eyes in her head.
Lexi still hadn’t uttered a word. What could she say?Nice to see you? What can I get you to drink?
Jackie stuck the back of her hand in Lexi’s face. “You’re not the only one.” She waggled her hand. “I said yes. And if you think this is gorgeous, you should see my man.”
“Nice to meet you, Lexi,” Lena called over, still in her seat. “Ladies, I hate to break up the reunion but one of us has a law firm to return to.”
Becca grinned; her pixie-cut blond hair suited her cherub face. She hooked a thumb toward Lena. “Someone just made partner.”
“Congratulations,” Lexi said weakly. She followed it with two thumbs-up because she was just that cool at the moment.
“Okay. We have to catch up but Lena’s right. We need to order lunch.” Jackie looked around the patio. “If we ever get a waitress. Jeez. Becca, you said this place was good.”
Becca shrugged. “My followers recommended it highly.” She looked around, then settled on Lexi. “Sorry. That sounded pretentious. Myfollowers.” She laughed at herself. Maybe it was easier to do that when life wasn’t kicking your ass.
“She’s an internet sensation, if you didn’t know. She just got a major book deal,” Jackie said, beaming like a proud parent.
Engaged. Book deal. Lawyer.The nacho guys called Lexi’s name. They must have heard it from all the commotion. Jackie looked over at them and waved.
When she turned to Will, she winked and leaned in. “This one hasn’t changed at all. Miss Popular.”
“Looks like it,” Will said, eyeing Lexi.
“We’re sorry. We’ll let you get back to your lu—” Jackie stopped, looking at Will’s table with only one plate and the one glass.
Lexi’s heart leapt like a car battery jumped with cables. “We shared.We share everything,” she said, her voice way too loud. She gestured to the table, then picked up a fry and shoved it in her mouth. Hungry as she’d been, it tasted like sawdust.
Will ran a hand over his own mouth, and Lexi had a feeling he was fighting a smile.
The two womenoohed but stopped when Lena cleared her throat.
“Let’s exchange numbers before we go,” Jackie said as they went to their table.
One of the nacho guys stood up—the dark-haired one—heading for Lexi. Reese chose that moment to come out to the patio, tray in hand, smile wide. Nacho Guy asked her for the plates Lexi hadn’t brought. Reese nodded and headed for the older couple, not knowing the three women had arrived first. Didn’t matter. She moved with an ease and fluidity Lexi could only relate to if there were a track under her feet. How long had it been since she’d run? And why the hell was she worrying about that now?
Reese glanced at Will, started to speak, then did a double take at Lexi sitting there across from him.
“Uh, Lexi?”
Becca looked over from their table. “Oh my God. You really haven’t changed at all!” She shook her head, looking at Lena, then Will. “She knew everyone back then, too.”
“We’ll take another Coke,” Lexi said, thrusting her glass out to Reese, who came to their table.
Brows disappearing into her bangs, Reese accepted the glass. She leaned in, close to Lexi’s ear. “We’re not really supposed to take our breaks with customers.”
Lexi nodded. “Extenuating circumstances,” she whispered back.
