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“Well, you weren’t born yet, Bliss. Of course, you can’t.”
My parents made a pact never to take pictures of me when I was at my sickest because if something happened that wasn’t how they wanted to remember me, and if I recovered, they didn’t want to remind me of those awful days when I had to go through treatment.
“I was so young. If I hadn’t been sick, so many things would be different, and I wouldn’t want it any other way than it had been. Daddy wouldn’t have come back to Mom, you and Josh wouldn’t even be born, and Jensey might not have married Missy. And now, I’m going to be a doctor and help save lives. Everything happens for a reason.”
“You forgot to add that you and Dylan wouldn’t be best friends,” Bliss pointed out, astutely.
“I’m not sure we are best friends anymore,” I said sadly.
Bliss pursed her lips and one eyebrow cocked. “Of course, you are! Geeze!”
“I hope he’s happy to see me. He doesn’t even know I’m here.”
“Well, you are both super dumb,” Bliss said simply, and maybe she was right.
The restaurant came into sight and my stomach tightened. The parking lot was packed but I found a space at the back, then Bliss and I got out and made our way inside. The butterflies in my stomach turned into hard knots.
The manager knew my entire family and greeted us with enthusiasm. “Remi! What a wonderful surprise! Hello, Bliss!” The older gentleman had greying hair and a goatee; he was wearing a brown T-shirt with the establishment logo emblazoned huge across the front.
He hugged us both, one at a time.
“Yeah, I wanted to be here for Dylan’s last college championship. Is anyone else here yet?”
“Nope! You two are the first, but Chase called and reserved a table for fourteen.”
“Fourteen?” my heart fell. Hopefully Dylan wouldn’t be bringing a girlfriend and a bunch of friends because then we wouldn’t be able to talk like I wanted.
“I’m not supposed to tell you.” He winked.
“Okay,” I said, my trepidation still causing me to fidget.
“Jessie will show you to your table. Jess?” he called to the hostess. “Forrester reservation. Will you please show these lovely young ladies to their table?”
A young brunette woman with a happy smile nodded. “This way please.” She led us to the back of the restaurant where a few tables were pulled together next to the long window. There were filled water glasses and menus at each place setting. “Here we are.” She indicated. “Can I get you a drink while you wait?”
I pulled out a chair to sit down. “Riesling, if you have it.”
“Oooh, me, too,” Bliss piped up, already seated next to me.
“Uh, no. Soda.” I shook my head with a raised eyebrow. “Nice try.”
“Awwww!” Bliss rolled her eyes. “Sprite, then,” she said.
“Can I see your ID, please?” the waitress asked.
“Sure.” I pulled it out and handed it over. After she’d glanced at it, I replaced it into my wallet then shoved it and my sunglasses into my purse before setting it on the floor beneath my chair.
Jess nodded. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
As soon as she left us the larger-than-life figure of Dylan’s Uncle Ben appeared with my Aunt Marin and identical twin daughters Lily and Lila.
“Oh my God!” I exclaimed, jumping up from my chair to rush into his arms, and then Marin’s. I hugged them both tight. “I’m so happy to see you! Why didn’t you sit with us at the game?”
“We only arranged to come after Chase got your tickets, so we were on the end up in the nosebleed section!” Marin said.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here! Does Dylan know you’re coming?”
“Yes. I couldn’t keep it a secret from him!” Ben admitted. “We text all the time and he knows my every move, so there’s that.” He flashed a bright smile.
