Page 6 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)

“ B ! You ready for this or what?”

My roommate, Daniel, roughs me up a little as I sit daydreaming at the table in our off-campus apartment.

These four years have been hard, harder than I imagined, but one of the best experiences of my life.

Now it all comes down to a series of final exams, and a four-course meal served to our instructors, all planned out with specialty dishes we’ve created.

“I’m ready.”

“You don’t look ready. You should have slept in your own bed last night.”

“I did sleep in my own bed,” I retort. “I dropped Savannah off and came back here. You were out like a light.”

“So that’s your problem. Maybe you should have gotten laid last night. You would feel better.”

Rolling my eyes I respond, “That’s the last thing I need right now.

” Knowing this is the end of school, my thoughts raced all night, wondering what happens next.

Do I stay in Seattle? Do I take the next step with Savannah?

Or do I go back home, see if Blossom is in a different frame of mind.

I let out a long sigh. “I’m ready. Just anxious to get it over with. ”

“You're going to kill it. You’ve been one of the top guys in class this year.”

“Hm. But what happens next?” I down the remaining coffee in my mug.

“Dude! You’ll get placed somewhere amazing. What are you talking about?”

I spin my empty mug. “I don’t know if I want to stay here in Seattle. Sure, I’ll be placed in a top restaurant, but I’ll be starting at the bottom.”

Daniel leans on the chair. “Of course you start at the bottom. That’s how it works. And what do you mean about not wanting to stay here? You’re going back home?”

I shake my head and shrug at the same time, a clear indication of my indecision.

I don’t know where I’m going or what I’m doing.

Maybe my dreams are too big. Maybe I think I’m better than I really am, but I know I don’t want to start at the bottom.

I want to jump right into my own restaurant, and if I stay here, I’ll be placed in a restaurant where I may not have the chance to take that risk any time soon.

“I don’t know anything. I’m just thinking out loud. ”

He eyes me with a look of exasperation. “Bennett, you’re a twenty-two-year-old kid who will graduate with a culinary degree. With no experience. Where do you think you’re landing? A Michelin star restaurant?”

“You know I don’t think that.” I could just let Savannah’s dad place me somewhere.

He has connections with restaurant owners and told me if I wanted a spot, it was mine.

He also hinted that he’d take me over to France and let me practice there.

That seems so extravagant though. And while I do want to go straight to the top, I don't want it to be because someone put me there.

I want to be seen and acknowledged for being the best. “I just want my own place. I want to build right away and do it on my own.”

I want Blossom to see I made it and that I can take care of her.

“Blossom?”

My eyes jump to his. “What?”

“You said you want to take care of Blossom.” He narrows his eyes. “Don't you mean Savannah?”

Fuck, I said that out loud? Savannah loves to talk and make plans, and she always layers conversations with how she expects things to happen. So, though we haven’t spoken about what comes next, it’s been assumed we’ll keep moving forward as romantic relationships do.

But how can I when Blossom is always in my head?

I thought being with someone the exact opposite of Blossom would help, but all I end up doing is comparing how she’s not Blossom.

“Yes. Savannah. I’m just thinking of home and …” My words die out because Blossom is my home and, yeah, I’m always thinking of her.

He scoffs and grabs his flashcards from the table. “And why hasn’t Blossom ever come here to visit you?”

It’s a question I’ve asked myself a hundred times since I’ve been here, but I know the reason.

She doesn’t like Savannah. And I can say there’s any love lost on Savannah’s side either.

I’m not sure if she feels threatened by Blossom, but she never wanted me to go back to Bluemoon after that one time we went together.

Before I can answer Daniel continues, “Listen, I’d love to not start at the bottom, too, but that’s not how it works in the real world.

In the real world we’re scrubbing floors first. That being said, if you do get a storefront, you better bring me with you. ”

I stand and grab my backpack with my specialty knives and then clap him on the shoulder. “You got it. You’ll be the first one I call.”