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Then my mind brings up how we finished the last meal he made, and my words dry up. I take a hearty swig of my drink, letting the prickle of the ginger beer clear away the nervous dry throat.
Why did I just babble for so long?I never babble.
I think it must be something about Regina’s smile. The kind way she looks at me has me wanting to share every inner piece of my soul with her.
But vulnerability is dangerous. That’s how people hurt each other.
“You two sound like you’re doing well together.” Mr. Keller claps a hand on his son’s shoulder.
“Temporarily,” I point out, trying not to grimace with how much I hate the sound of the word.
There’s a lull, Charlie glancing off to the side as if he sees something fascinating at another table. A pain sits just below my breastbone, but when Regina speaks up, her voice distracts me from the ache.
“For a year. Of course. But you tied him down closer to home for now. We’re happy to have him nearby.”
Charlie offers his mom a smile. “You say that like you plan on sticking around New Orleans for more than a month or two.”
The Kellers share a look, then his Mom grins wide.
“I accepted a teaching position at the university.”
“Wait, seriously?” Charlie’s brows curve up.
She nods. “All the traveling was fine when we were younger, but I’m tired of sleeping in hotel rooms and sitting in airports for hours. Home has been looking better and better these past few years. We think it’s time to stand still. At least for a little while.”
Charlie’s parents are staying put in New Orleans. From the grin on his face, I know this has to delight him. This is what he said he wanted. To find a place to settle, where he can see his family regularly.
I bet at the close of our year together, Charlie won’t want to wait before moving down to New Orleans.
Not like anything will be keeping him in Nashville.
I’m the one who just made sure to remind everyone we’re temporary.
The lime in my drink must have been bad because there’s a sick sensation in the pit of my stomach. Luckily, I’m good at keeping unwanted expressions off my face. I offer a smile to the table.
We spend the next hour hearing gossip from New Orleans and the plans Mrs. Keller has for teaching her future class. And as I sit here with this family overflowing with love for each other, I can’t help feeling like I’m playing a role.
Of course, we all already know this is a farce.
It just hurts because some part of me wants this to be real.
“Well, I think I’m done in for the night.” Regina half sighs, half yawns. “Honey, would you mind pulling the car up? Wearing heels this tall was a mistake.”
The man chuckles as he kisses his wife on the cheek. “Of course.” He stands smiling down at his son and me. “I’ll see you both at breakfast tomorrow.”
“I’ll walk out with you, Dad. Grab our car too.” Charlie turns to me. “Sound good?”
I want to point out I’m perfectly fine with trekking the block to our car with him, but that would mean leaving his mom alone at the table. No way am I abandoning Regina, even if this makes me feel like I’m giving into the patriarchy.
“Good with me.” I raise my still half-full glass before taking a sip.
Charlie grins wide, placing his hand over mine and squeezing briefly before he gets up. Then they’re gone, and I’m left with a woman giving me a detective-level gaze full of curiosity. Just as sweat gathers in my pits, she speaks.
“You know, I have eyes on that stage.”
The comment throws me, and I try to recover. “Yes?”
She nods. “Most people think I can’t see them. And often I can’t when the lights are up high. But here, I could see the first few rows. And when I glanced over at your table and watched you sitting next to my son, you know what I saw?”
