"I'll be done around ten."
"Meet me at the hotel bar?"
I consider and decide a drink with Foster would be the perfect end to this night. “I’ll see you then."
"I can't wait." He leans and gives me a quick peck on the cheek before getting up and returning to his table across the room. I finish my meal, and it’s taken away before I return to walking around the room and taking pictures of the decor.
I glance in Foster’s direction and find him watching me intently.
After my time is up, I pack my equipment and stash it in my car. I’m tempted to get in and get home, but I don’t want to stand Foster up. Instead, I drag myself back into the lobby. My feet and legs are killing me as I make my way to the bar, just off the lobby. I’m limping slightly, a lasting effect of my car accident injuries. Too long on my feet, and I hurt.
I look around the modern space of the bar before spotting Foster sitting on a stool and talking to the bartender. She gives him a flirty smile, but he doesn’t acknowledge it. He’s staring at me and gives me a wave when my eyes lock on him.
“This seat taken?” I ask him with a smile.
“No, but I have somewhere better for you to sit,” he says back and chuckles when I lightly punch his shoulder.
“You haven’t changed since high school, you know that?”
He looks down at his much fitter body. “Really?”
“I meant in maturity.”
The bartender comes over, and I order a glass of my favorite Pinot. She brings it quickly.
“A lot has changed since high school,” Foster says, getting serious. “I wanted to reach out to you so many times.”
“So, why didn’t you?”.
“It was mostly fear. Whenever I mentioned it to Cole, he said you avoided him. Talon hadn’t heard from you. We all thought it was best just to let you live your life.”
It surprises me that they ever thought of me. I had always assumed they’d moved on. I no longer want to live with the past hanging over us.
I sigh, “I wish we could start all over.”
“We can clean the slate,” he says before he offers his hand to me. “Hi, I’m Foster Holland. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I place my hand in his for a quick shake. “Blake Knox. What brings you here?”
“A wedding, you?”
“Same. I was the photographer.”
“That’s amazing. How did you get into that business?”
We spend the next hour talking and I’m glad I didn’t decide to just leave. Foster’s relaxed nature and my two glasses of wine put me at ease.
I yawn. It’s been a long workday, and I’m starting to feel it.
“You look exhausted,” Foster says.
“It’s been a while since I’ve put in such long hours. I’m not looking forward to the long drive home.”
He holds out a hotel room key to me.
“I can’t stay in your room,” I point out.
“You totally can. But this is the key to the room next to mine. Full disclosure: I had a date for this wedding before I moved into the house. I was supposed to take a friend's sister as my plus one, but I backed out weeks ago and forgot to cancel the reservation.”
