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“I’m going to be working on finalizing this most of the day and I planned on stopping by and seeing Beatrice at the diner for lunch since I haven’t had a chance to swing by yet. Do you want me to bring you anything?”
“I’m good,” he said, shaking his head. “I’ll catch you tomorrow.”
I wasn’t dumb. I knew what that sliver of wistfulness in his voice meant, but I hadn’t lived in the city and worked my ass off to give it all up. I knew Riley understood that too, just as gramps had when he’d encouraged me to stay on and finish up. And honestly I was so torn I knew it would take every bit of time I had here to figure out the right direction to take.
By the time I made it to the diner I was hangry and had a mild headache. Not the best look for me, but I knew that I had come to exactly the right place for the cure.
Beatrice’s diner looked the same on the outside as it always had. It was an adorable barn made of faded wood that had the perfect country aesthetic. The front walk was lined with handmade rocking chairs for guests to wait for a table on busy nights and tourist season.
Inside I was shocked to see that they’d done plenty of upgrading. The counter was no longer an old ugly vinyl made of a huge slab of wood that was left uneven and rough around the edges, but coated in resin to keep it gorgeous. The walls were planked wood and behind the counter every bit of wall that wasn’t taken up by the long prep bar or the order window was covered in shelves. They’d lined them in rustic antiques and old liquor bottles. The daily specials were written on a large chalkboard and I knew it was the same one from when I was a kid.
Each table was covered in a checkered cloth but nothing about the place screamed simple diner. It fit the theme of the town and I bet the tourists ate it up. From the vintage photos and farm tools bolted to the walls it was that wonderfully chaotic decor that made you feel like you were being transported back in time.
I doubted very much the food had changed, and honestly hoped it hadn’t, but I was excited to find out.
“Do my eyes deceive me or is that little Autumn Cedarwick walking through my front door?” A warm familiar voice asked me.
Spinning around I saw that Ol’ Beatty hadn’t aged a day, still exuding the love and charm the beta had shown me growing up, her curls still perfectly in place. When she pulled me in for a hug, I had to fight the sniffle that rose to my throat, suddenly feeling a bit sentimental.
Beatty had been my grandmother’s best friend and seeing her again had unexpectedly brought back up a pang of sadness I hadn’t expected.
“Oh honey, I know,” she said quietly in my ear. “I miss them too.”
“Sorry it took me so long to stop by,” I said, giving her one more hug before pulling back and taking a deep breath.
“Nonsense,” she said, shushing me. “We’re pretty slammed right now, but grab a seat and we can catch up after the rush if you’re still around. If not, you'll just have to come around for Sunday dinner, you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, waving her off as she got back to the crazy packed diner.
I spun around looking for an empty spot, only to hear my name being called from a booth in the corner, Jack waving a hand over to come and join him.
As I neared, I realized he wasn’t alone, the same quiet alpha I’d met in the hardware store the other day sitting across from him, his brown eyes tracking my movements as I neared them.
“Oh I don’t want to impose,” I argued despite there being only available seats at the counter.
“Nonsense,” Jack said, sliding over so I had no choice. And I was grateful, because eating alone had never been my thing. As I sat down I felt eyes studying me and hoped I wasn’t unwelcome by the quiet man across from me.
Chapter8
Jack
She stood for a second, glancing at Boone with a hint of worry in her eyes as she chewed on her lip, debating on if she wanted to intrude. I knew that feeling of awkwardness well, my social skills were a far cry different from my brother’s. He was confident and charming, able to talk to anyone without a separate thought while it took me a time or two to warm up to people.
“Don’t worry about Boone, you can join us. He's just reserved,” I promised, giving my friend a look as she glanced his way. He was too busy looking at her and breathing in deep, meaning he’d noticed how good she smelled as well. When he caught my eye he took another deep breath and gestured for her to sit. She relaxed at that and took a seat.
“It’s crazy how much this place has changed,” she noted. It was an attempt at small talk, but little did she know it was the perfect topic.
“Boone did most of the work,” I said and he blushed, groaning slightly at the attention. She laughed at his reaction, the sound adorable and melodic. Her face was relaxed now and she looked even more gorgeous than the first time I’d met her. Between that and the scent of sugar, spice, and fresh apples, I had to force myself to not react.
“That’s amazing. The counter? It’s phenomenal and honestly the whole place is so inviting and fits the aesthetic the town shoots for. I bet it looks amazing in any backdrop. Fall, winter, hell even summer and it’s my least favorite season,” she rambled on excitedly before trailing off with a blush. “Sorry, didn’t mean to go on and on. It’s just crazy being back here.”
“Miss city life?” Boone asked, shocking us both.
Autumn recovered easily, shooting my best friend an interested look before answering.
“Yes and no,” she said with a shrug but was cut off as our waitress swung back by.
“Hey boys can I get yo-” she cut off as her eyes landed on Autumn and her face soured slightly before she recovered. “Oh sorry, didn’t see you there. Can I get you something?” Her reaction was out of character. Usually Theresa was nothing but kind, befitting her beta nature, even if a bittoofriendly with us.
