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The bell to the diner rang as they pulled the door open. It was a small establishment with about a dozen retro Formica tables scattered across the floor. All the chairs were a bright, cherry red, and the staff wore uniforms to match.

An older woman with short, curly hair and ruddy cheeks called out to them from behind the counter. “Sit wherever you like, hon. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Jason scanned the room. Cassie noticed the instant he spotted Vanessa. His entire body went rigid, and he lifted a hand in greeting. Cassie followed his gaze and watched as a woman stood and waited for them to join her.

Vanessa was one of the most beautiful women Cassie had ever seen. Her skin was a flawless deep brown, and her eyes were a hypnotizing shade of hazel. She had wrapped her long caramel-colored braids on top of her head, which made her look taller than she already was. Cassie couldn’t help but notice her toned arms, which looked like they belonged to someone who swam or played tennis regularly.

Vanessa couldn’t wait until they made it to the table. A smile erupted across her face, and she took three enormous steps forward to meet them halfway. There was no hesitation as she wrapped her arms around Jason. “Oh my God, you look exactly the same.”

“So do you.” Jason laughed, sounding less nervous. “Thank you for meeting us.”

“No problem.” Vanessa let go of Jason and pulled Cassi

e into a tight hug. “My name is Vanessa. It’s nice to meet you!”

“Cassie.” She was so surprised, her name came out as a gasp. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“Sorry.” Vanessa let go and fiddled with the cross hanging on a chain around her neck. “I’m just excited and nervous. And I had a lot of coffee today.” She settled into her chair and widened her eyes. “A lot of coffee.”

As Cassie sat across from her, she noticed the badge Vanessa had left lying on the table. “You work at the hospital?”

Vanessa bobbed her head. “I’m a nurse.”

“I knew you’d do it someday.” Jason’s voice held a hint of pride.

Vanessa rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “Jay was the only one who believed in me. Even when I didn’t. My family thought I was wasting too much money going to school. But it was the only thing that made me feel like I was contributing to the world.”

“I know how that feels.”

“Yeah?” Vanessa beamed. “What do you do?”

“Oh.” Cassie blushed. “I work at the museum with Jason.”

“In Savannah,” Jason offered. “I’m a security guard, and Cassie helps put exhibits together and handles a lot of the art pieces.”

“That’s awesome. Is that how you two met?”

Cassie nodded, but the waitress who had greeted them earlier saved her from having to explain further. “What can I get y’all?”

The three of them scrambled for their menus. Jason and Vanessa ended up ordering burgers, while Cassie stuck with the diner’s world-famous Reuben.

“A pickle and fries good for all y’all?” A chorus of yeses sounded, and the waitress tucked her notepad into her apron pocket. “All right, I’ll be back with those in a jiff.”

Jason waited until the woman was out of earshot before he pointed to Vanessa’s left hand. “I guess congratulations are in order?”

“Oh.” Vanessa looked down at a ring Cassie hadn’t even noticed. “Thank you. Yeah. We’re getting married next month, actually.”

“I’m happy for you.” Jason sounded like he meant it, but Cassie saw sadness in his eyes, too.

Vanessa stared at him for a moment and then shook her head. “Look, I know this is awkward.” She glanced at Cassie and gave her a sympathetic smile. “We haven’t talked in a decade. I can’t speak for you, but I know I’ve changed a lot over the years. There are things I regret saying. There are things I regret not saying. At the end of the day, I know I made the right choice for me. I hope you feel the same way. And if you don’t”—she chewed the inside of her cheek before committing to her words—“I’d like to know that, too. If there’s anything I can do to help—”

“I feel the same way.”

Cassie felt like a voyeur. She wished with every fiber of her being she’d chosen to sit on the outside of their booth. Maybe then she could’ve excused herself and given them a moment.

“Cassie.” Vanessa was looking at her now. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just needed to say something, or I’d regret it.”

“No, I totally understand.” And she did. But when Jason turned to her with an unreadable expression, she still wished she could be anywhere but here. “I can leave, if—”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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