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“Patio would be awesome.”
Hayden grabs a stack of menus. “You got it. Follow me.” They lead the way around through the small space and back out onto the patio, where two tables are occupied by an older couple and a woman around our age with a little boy. He’s scribbling away at a coloring page as we follow Hayden toward a table near the end of the space. The string lights above our heads sway in the wind as we take our seats.
“Destiny will be your waitress today. Can I get you started with some drinks, or would you like her to come over once the rest of your party has arrived?”
Blake checks with me, though I know he’s starving. “We can go ahead and order drinks if you want. They should be here any minute.”
He gestures for me to go first, so I order a ginger ale, hoping it will ease the nausea I still feel over our flight. Then he orders a beer. I do my best to withhold a bitter glance his way. I’d been okay with the drinks on the plane so early because I know he’s a nervous flier, but we’re on land now.
Hayden takes our menus, promising to be right back, and I watch as a bird hops around on a table next to us, picking french fries off a plate yet to be cleaned.
“So, what do we know about this one?” Blake asks, keeping his voice low. He’s not wrong to sound so pessimistic, but for Florence’s sake, I’m trying not to be.
“Um, not much. His name is Patton. He’s two years older than her and he runs some sort of tech startup. He jogs every morning and likes breakfast foods. I think that’s all she’s mentioned.”
“A tech startup, hmm? Well, that’s…impressive.”
“Yeah, I think so.” He’s quiet for a moment as I send Florence a text to let her know where we’re seated. “At least he has a job.” I place the phone down on the table. “She seems to really like this one. I’m glad he could come with us on this trip. For her sake. I know she always hates feeling like the third wheel.”
He runs a hand through his dark hair as Hayden reappears with our drinks. “I told Destiny you’re waiting for two others, so she’ll be over as soon as they get here. Let us know if you need anything in the meantime.”
“Thanks.” I tear the paper from my straw and tuck it under the metal napkin holder so it doesn’t blow away.
“Oh. There she is.” I turn in my seat at Blake’s words just as Florence appears on the stairs.
She’s alone. Her jet-black hair has been pulled back in a sleek ponytail, the ends of which brush her deeply tanned skin. I lift a hand, waving at her until I catch her eye and she waves back, smiling.
Within minutes, Hayden leads her to our table. She kisses my cheek briefly before easing into the empty seat next to me. “So good to see you guys. Sorry I’m late.”
“Where’s Patton?” I ask.
“Oh.” She waves a hand in the air nonchalantly, though she’s unable to hide the disappointment in her tone. “He got stuck on a work call but didn’t want to hold us up. He should be here later, but we don’t have to wait on him.” She looks over my head. “Have you ordered yet? I’m starving.”
“No, we were waiting. Are you sure he wants us to go ahead and order? Maybe we should just start with drinks and an appetizer or something,” I offer.
She pulls her phone from the royal-blue clutch resting on the table and taps the screen. “No, it’s fine. He could be a while.”
“Okay, I’ll go let Hayden know there’s been a change of plans,” Blake says, standing up.
Once he’s gone, I turn to Florence once again. “How are things? Did you guys get in okay?”
“Yep,” she says. “The flight was fine and our room is nice.” She pats the table expectantly. “How about you guys? Everything okay? How are you feeling?”
She knows the truth without me having to say it, but I do anyway. “I’m hanging in there. Every year gets a bit easier.” I pause. “It helps, having you guys here with me this year with…everything.” My voice catches in my throat. I can’t bring myself to finish the sentence.
She draws one side of her mouth in with a sympathetic nod. “Of course. We wouldn’t be anywhere else. We’ll keep the tradition alive even if… No matter what happens.” She sucks in a long breath, realizing she’s said too much, almost led herself down a path she didn’t mean to go. Blake saves us both by returning to the table and sliding into his chair.
“The waitress is on her way.”
Beside me, Florence is beaming suddenly, and Blake appears unamused. He gives her a devilishly suspicious look. “What? Did you tell her?”
She shakes her head. “No, butcanwe already? I’m dying here.”
Probably not the best choice of words, but I’d be a terrible person to point that out, so I don’t. Besides, my curiosity is piqued. “Tell me what? What’s going on?”
“There you are.” A voice behind us startles me, and I look over my shoulder, expecting to recognize the man standing there. I don’t. He’s average height, late twenties or early thirties, with thick brown hair, dark skin, and a chiseled jaw. He’s attractive in an in-your-face sort of way, with muscles for days and a prize-winning smile. My eyes jerk up to meet his, still trying to understand who he is and why he knows me, when Florence shoots up from her chair.
“Thereyouare!” she shrieks, swatting his chest as he wraps an arm around her waist. She leans back as they both grin at us like a pair of Instagram models. They look so good together it’s painful. “You got here faster than I expected. Guys, this is Patton. Patton, this is my best friend in thewholeworld, Mae, and her husband, Blake.”
