Page 35 of It Happened Back Then
“Yes. No. Well, yes, everything is fine. I just...after how things ended, I haven’t felt settled since.”
I close my eyes. “So you drove eleven hours to...what?”
She shrugs again but looks me in the eye. “I miss you, Bennie. I didn’t think you’d take my call. I thought if I showed up at least you’d have to see me. And if you saw me, maybe you’d want to talk more.”
I exhale and reach for her hand. “Savannah, there was never any ill will between us. We just wanted different things.”
She nods. “I know. I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“It’s late. Where are you staying?”
She fidgets. “I’m staying in the cabins over in Birch Village.”
“I didn’t know they rented those out short term.”
“I signed a six month lease.”
My heart drops to the floor. “You what?”
She speaks quickly. “Like I said, I wanted to see you. I hoped we could spend some time together. I’ve done a lot of thinking since you left and if being here makes you happy, then I’m happy, too. I want to be happy here, with you.”
I shake my head and stand. “Savannah, you can’t just move into my town.”
She pulls back. “Why not?”
“It's been two years. A lot has changed.” I think about that statement. Has it changed? Blossom and I are together, kind of, yet I’m still loving her from a distance. And if I’m being honest Savannah has crossed my mind from time to time, but not to the point I wished I was back with her.
Seeing her now has me more confused than ever.
She watches me intently before flicking her eyes over my shoulder and back again. Her lips give the slightest twitch before asking, “Are you seeing someone?”
I bite my bottom lip before smoothing it with my tongue. I stand with my hand on my hip. “Savannah, I–”
“Are you seeing someone?” She asks again with a firm tone.
The only response is to shake my head. She smiles and steps close to me, leaning on her toes and kissing my cheek. “Good. Can we get lunch tomorrow and talk?” Her eyes are hopeful and I nod my head this time. With a grin, she squeezes my hand and walks to the front door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 15 - BENNETT
“Thanks for meeting me, Bennie.”
Savannah settles into her chair, looking happy. Her smile is wide, her face bright. “Isn't this fun? Just like old times.” She puts her napkin on her lap. “What's good here?” she asks as she opens her menu.
I move around in my chair trying to get comfortable. It’s not that I'm uncomfortable, but something prickles at the back of my mind. There’s a reason I took her to a restaurant twenty miles outside of Bluemoon. I didn’t want to be seen with her because I don't want people getting the wrong idea.
“Bennie.” Her hand on mine makes me jump. “What's wrong?”
I take a breath and shake my head. This is fine. It’s just lunch. “Nothing. I'm sorry. It was a busy night at the restaurant, so I’m just a little tired.”
The waiter comes over and asks for our drink orders.
“May I have a mimosa?” She looks at me. “Bennie, have a beer, you’ll feel better.”
I shake my head to clear it. “Yes, you’re right. Anything on draft is fine, thank you.”
She smiles and moves her chair in closer. “I miss this. I always loved meeting you for lunch. Remember when you’d have a break between class and the restaurant at night? We’d catch up over apps and drinks.” Her eyes light with mischief and she bites her bottom lip. I know what she’s getting at. We’d eat and get tipsy enough to fuck in my truck. Or in the restaurant bathroom. Anywhere we could get caught, she’d drag me to.
I drop my eyes from her and chuckle. “I do remember.”
