Page 21 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)

“ T hanks 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.”

“We always had fun together.”

The server brings our drinks. “Are you ready to order?”

“What do you say, Bennie? Some apps for old times’ sake?” She winks at me and my stomach flips. I gulp down half my beer and she sits back in her chair with a smug grin.

“Can you give us a few minutes?” The waiter nods and steps away. “Savannah, I don’t think we should?—”

“Oh, Bennie, I’m teasing you. It's been a long time. I’m just happy to be sitting with you again.”

I swallow hard. It’s been a long time since I’ve had sex with anyone.

Savannah being the last and that was over two years ago.

Being around Blossom is making it very hard to keep control, and I've had to go home and handle business each night. My fortitude is slipping. But I can’t go back there with Savannah.

I also know if Blossom knew I was with her right now, she wouldn’t be happy.

There’s a reason you took her out of town, Bennett.

“So, what are you doing for work while you’re here?”

She spins her glass on the table. “I’m not sure. I thought maybe I could try waitressing?” Her eyes come to mine and she raises a brow. “It’d be fun to work together, don't you think?”

“Savannah—”

“Are we ready to order?” the waiter approaches again.

“Sure.” She leans forward looking at the menu. Her deep V-cut shirt hangs loose, and I look away quickly. “I’ll have the Caesar salad.”

“And I’ll have the western burger. Medium rare.” I take both our menus and hand them to the server.

“Yuk. I can’t believe you still eat red meat.”

I chuckle. “You should try it.”

She shakes her head. “There’s only one meat?—”

“Savannah. I get it.” She laughs with me.

“So, I spoke with my dad the other day.”

I take another gulp of my beer. “Oh yeah? How’s he doing?”

Her father was always nice to me and loved food as much as I do. He was always tempting me with the prospect of working in amazing restaurants. Sometimes I think back to that and wonder where I’d be now if I had let him throw me in somewhere across the country.

“He’s good. He asked about you. He said he’s taking a trip to France soon and wanted to know where you were at in your career.”

My heart thumps. He and I spoke about spending time in France to cook when I was still in college.

I never told anyone about it, not even my parents.

They would have pushed too hard, and though it sounded exciting, it felt so out of reach.

Being eleven hours away from home is one thing, but being a whole ocean away seemed too overwhelming.

“And what did you tell him?”

“I told him you had moved back to Bluemoon and were working as the head chef at a local spot.” She sips from her drink holding my stare. “He thinks you’re wasting your talent, and I had to agree.”

I sigh and prepare myself for the same old Savannah. Dropping comments and pushing until she gets what she wants. “An opportunity in France would be great, but it’s just not something that can happen for me.”

“Sure, it can. You’re definitely good enough, Bennie. And I would be right there to support you.”

I need to stop this train before it gets any further off track. “Listen, you should know that Blossom and I… “ I trail off. How do I even explain what Blossom and I are if I’m not sure?

“She’s still your bestie?”

“She is.”

“Did she finally admit to her crush on you?”

I frown. “What?”

“Oh, Bennie, it was so obvious. The time I came here, and you took me to the bar? I knew she was in love with you from the way she looked at you. Plus, there was the way the entire town took ownership of you two. I saw some of your texts and heard the way you two spoke to each other.” She shrugs.

“I mean, I can’t blame her. Look at you. ” She giggles.

“We have a very complicated relationship.”

“Yes, yes, I know you stepped in when her dad passed away. I can see how she would latch on you.”

I frown deepens. “Latch on? Savannah, it’s not like that.”

“I know it’s why you moved back here and why you took the job at the Luxury.” She shrugs again. “It's why I came. I needed to see it for myself.”

“See what?”

“If it’s just teenage dreams or if there's room for me.”

I take a breath to steady myself. My initial reaction is to tell her there is no room here for her. But if Blossom won’t ever commit, I can’t count myself out from finding love with someone else.