Page 15 of It Happened Back Then
“You're kidding? Here in Bluemoon? This is amazing!” I hug him once more. “Wait. Tell me it’s at the Luxury?”
“It’s at the Luxury.” He smiles wide, and I know this is a dream come true for him.
I step back but don’t let go of his hand. I haven’t seen him in over two years. He’s so different. So much more…man. He’s filled out and his face is more mature. Seeing him on video calls did not do him justice. The last time he was home was before he graduated from culinary school. He said he was coming back but ended up getting a job that began the weekend after graduation that he couldn’t turn it down. I understood but was disappointed. And there was no way I could leave my family and get out to Seattle, even for just a few days.
Plus, I didn't want to run into Savannah.
“Oh, how funny,” Meadow drawls as she saunters up next to us. “Blossom has a date at the Luxury tonight.”
Bennett scowls, and I glare at her as he asks, “That’s nice. Anyone I know?”
“I don't even know him,” I respond through gritted teeth. “Meadow set me up. Isn’t she sweet?”
He smiles, but there little humor in his expression. “Okay, I just wanted to stop in and say hi. Maybe we can catch up tomorrow?”
“Yes! I can cancel tonight and we can?—”
“No, you can’t Blossom,” Meadow interjects.
“It’s fine, go have a good time tonight. We’ll catch up tomorrow. I don’t leave until Monday.”
“So soon?”
He looks away from me. “Yeah, I have to get back.”
“Did Savannah come with you?” I don’t want to ask about her, but I have to. I never know if she’s going to pop up or if they’re together or not.
“No.”
Just no, no explanation. Desperate to get more information from him, I push, “What if they offer you the job?”
He chuckles and moves toward the door, and I follow. “Let me get through the interview first, then I’ll know more.” He reaches for me, pulls me close, and gives a quick kiss on my forehead before waving goodbye to Meadow, and then he’s out the door.
I spin on her. “Why would you say I have a date?”
“Why do you care?”
“Because I–” I stop short as she waits with a raised brow. “Because I haven’t seen him in two years, and it’d be nice to spend some time with him before he leaves again.”
“You’re the worst liar I’ve ever met.”
I walk away from her and head back to the boxes I was unpacking. “I’m not lying. It’s been over two years since he’s been home.”
When I don’t get a response, I turn around and see her with her arms crossed, staring at me. “This isn’t his home anymore, Blossom. He moved to Seattle.”
“He’s only there for college,” I respond indignantly.
“Which he has since graduated from. And now he has a job. And a girlfriend. I don’t know what you’re holding out for.”
I close my eyes. I don't want to tell her about our pact. She’ll think it’s a stupid, childish dream. And maybe it is, but I stillremember it, and though it scared me then, it doesn’t scare me now. Now it only feels like a nostalgic thing to talk about. I’m sure he’s moved on from that. From me. There’s only been one time he brought it up, and that was a year ago over the phone. After we spoke that night, we went a few months without a word. Then a picture of him and Savannah popped up on my social media, and I knew why I hadn’t heard from him.
“He could do so much better than Savannah.”
She scoffs. “Sounds like jealousy. Did you guys even sleep together? He could be awful in bed and you’re over here holding out for the guy.” I hold her stare and her eyes get wide. “You fucked him?”
“Stop it!” I hiss. “You make it sound so dirty. It wasn’t like that.”
She runs to me. “When did it happen? Oh my god, was it when he was home over spring break?”
