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“Yeah, thanks man,” I tell him as he turns and walks away.
I shake my head clear, deciding to get some of this paperwork done before lunch rolls around. The work keeps my mind busy enough that I don’t think about Allison again. When lunch rolls around, I get up and climb behind the wheel of my truck. I drive to the center of town, stopping at Dave’s BBQ. The place is busy as usual since it’s one of the best restaurants in town. The whole police force eats here frequently and the staff knows we don’t have much time to sit and eat so they try to get our food out as fast as possible.
I walk in and sit at a small, two-person table that’s in the front of the restaurant. Tessa, the waitress, steps up to take my order.
She offers a flirty smile as usual. “What can I get ya, Officer Grant?”
“The usual, please Tes.”
She writes down my usual while nodding and giving me a smile. Before walking away, she offers up a wink. “Be right back with your drink.”
I tuck the menu back into its place, between the wall and the napkin holder.
“She always did have a thing for you.”
I raise my head to see Allison standing beside my table.
I knew she was in town, but knowing and actually seeing her are two very different things. I’m not sure if I expected her to look the same as she did years ago or if I expected her to change drastically. Somehow, she’s a mix of them both. Her blonde hair is longer than she used to keep it. It’s straight and smooth with highlights that make the strands sparkle in the lights like gold. Before, she always kept colors streaked through it but it looks like she’s outgrown that wild punk rock look from our high school band days.
“Care if I sit?” she asks, sliding into the chair across from me before I can answer.
“What do you want, Allison?”
Her brows lift. “Allison? Wow. I didn’t expect to hear you use my government name.”
“We’re no longer close enough to call one another by nicknames.”
Tes is back. She places my sweet tea on the table before walking away. I grab it, open the straw and then take a long drink, wishing it was something much stronger.
She takes a deep breath, her fingers knotting together on the top of the table. “I know you’re angry with me.”
“Angry?” I shake my head. “I’m not angry.”
“You’re not?”
“I was. Two and a half years ago. But honestly, I let that go. I’ve moved on. Ava and I both have. She doesn’t even remember you, you know?”
Her eyes fall down to the tale between us. “I figured as much.” She wets her lips. “I know I messed up. I was young.”
“So was I. You didn’t see me running off and leaving my family.”
Her eyes jump back to mine. “No, you didn’t. You were great. You did everything right. I wish I could’ve been that way. Looking back on it all, I regret so much. I wish I was the person back then that I am today. If I was this person, I never would’ve walked away.”
I don’t buy it for a moment. “What’s changed?”
She shrugs. “I’ve just grown up, matured. I’ve seen some things, been places. Back then, I focused so much on what I was missing. Now, all I can think about is what I gave up. And for what?” She snorts. “To travel and go to parties? To meet people?” She shakes her head. “I was stupid.”
I grab my tea and take another drink. “Yes, you were.”
“That’s why I’m back.”
My eyes leap back up to hers.
“I know I can’t go back and change things. Hell, I’ll probably never be able to fix things but the least I can do is try.”
“What’s that mean?” My eyes narrow.
“Let me see Ava?”
