Page 53 of It Happened Back Then
I roll my eyes, huffing a small laugh as she bumps my shoulder and says, “It’s not about France, is it?”
I shake my head. “Why won’t he just end it with her? Just tell her to leave. He says he doesn’t want her. Why does she keep tormenting me?”
“Because she's a bitch.”
I shake my head and whisper, "What if she’s right? What if I’m holding him back from things he truly wants?"
"Or maybe you’re everything he truly wants and there’s no need to leave anymore."
CHAPTER 24 - BENNETT
The kitchen is finally quiet.
We had an insane dinner rush tonight and my kitchen line worked their asses off. So, at the close of our last order, I sent them home. Every last one. They looked at me like I was crazy, arguing that the head chef does not clean up.
But I need this time alone and I need to be busy to fill the quiet.
I’m still in my apron, half-washed pans in the sink. I can hear the bartenders talking lightly as they restock for tomorrow’s service, but I haven’t moved in ten minutes.
My phone’s on the prep table, screen dark.
No messages.
No missed calls.
Nothing.
It’s been four days since Blossom started avoiding me.
I scroll through our last texts. All blue bubbles. No replies. I’ve called. I’ve even driven past her place, saw the lights on, but no one answered the door. The last time we talked was the day the guys and I went to her mom’s house when the girls were planning the bachelorette party. Thingswere normal and fun. The family was ribbing us over possibly being together. I left there, hung out with the guys at the bar, then went to her house that night. We watched TV, made out during the commercials, then ended the night in bed. There was no fight, no tension. We were justus.
I’m still staring at my phone when I hear the soft clack of heels on tile. I close my eyes and breathe in deeply, but it’s not Blossom’s perfume I smell.
Savannah.
"I figured you’d still be here," she says lightly, walking in like she belongs. She sets a to-go coffee on the table beside me. "The bartenders let me in, I got you coffee. You’ve been working too hard."
I offer a tight smile, still clutching my phone.
She glances at the phone in my hand and leans against the prep table. “Everything okay?”
I nod, not wanting to speak, afraid my tone may give my feelings away. Instead, I stand, shrugging out of my chef coat, and begin to put away some of the dishes stacked on the counter.
“Are you sure? I’m here to listen. You know that. Even if it’s about your little frie–”
“Don’t,” I spit out. My tone surprises me, and I need to take a breath to calm down. I hate that she can read me so well and instantly knows my mood has something to do with Blossom.
“I’m sorry for snapping. I'm just tired. And I’m a little worried about Blossom. I haven’t heard much from her, and the anniversary of her dad’s death is coming up. Between the bridal shower she’s planning and the wedding coming right after, we’ve been missing each other.”
"Bennie," she cuts in, gentle but firm. "If you’ve been texting her and she’s not answering, that’s not being busy. That’s deliberate."
I glance at her, not ready to admit she’s right. I know Blossom is pushing me away again. I’ve been here before. I know what this looks like.
Savannah leans on the prep table. "I know I’m the last person who should say this, but asyour friend,I’m going to.”
I snort.
“What?”
