“This looks delicious.” Kacey lifted her fork.
Drew retrieved the A.1. sauce at the end of the table and began pouring it over his steak. “I agree.”
They were silent while they both started eating, and contentment settled over Kacey. She remembered their senior year and how their close friendship had suddenly fractured. It felt good to pick up right where they left off before things changed for the worse. Talking with Drew had always been easy. She forked a bit of chicken, and when she looked up, she found Drew watching her with an intensity that sent goose bumps trailing up her arms.
“Whatever happened to Bennett?” she asked, wondering why she decided to bring him up in that moment.
Drew hesitated. “Last I heard he was married and living in Atlanta.”
“You don’t keep up with him?”
He shook his head. “I guess you lost touch with him?”
“We lost touch in college. After all, I went to UNC Charlotte, and he went to Chapel Hill. Long distance never works, and we were so young. I never felt like we really clicked anyway.” She began cutting up her potato. “How do you like teaching?”
His green eyes sparkled in the light of the colorful Tiffany lamp hanging above their booth. “I love it. There’s something magical about watching the children learn how to play their instruments. It’s a gift, really. I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.”
“That’s amazing, and it’s so you.” She smiled with renewed admiration for him.
“It’s so me?” He almost looked offended. “What does that mean?”
“You’ve always been so giving and thoughtful. I can remember countless times when you rearranged your schedule to drive me here or there because I didn’t have a car. You always put other people before you.”
He ate a fry and pushed his plate toward her. “Want one?”
“Thanks.” She chose a fry and dipped it in his ketchup.
“What about you? I know you’re a graphic designer, but do you like your work?”
She nodded. “I love designing websites, logos, and promotional material. I can really work anywhere.”
“So why don’t you stay here?”
She felt her eyebrow lift.
“I’m sure your mom and sister would love to have you here instead of three hours away.” His words came out at a quick clip. “You said you’re helping your sister, right?”
“That’s true, and I love it here. But I’ve always wanted to live in a city. I’m sure you remember how I used to collect postcards from big cities.”
“Oh yeah! You had an entire wall dedicated to postcards.” He cut up more steak. “What happened to those?”
“They were tossed into a box and shoved in the attic when Mom decided to transform my room into a craft and sewing room.”
“Oh.”
They ate in silence for a few moments.
“So, Travis lost his job?” Drew asked.
She nodded and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Yes, he was laid off about three months ago. He was working in IT at a bank. He’s been on a few interviews, but nothing has worked out yet.”
Drew pushed a fry through the ketchup, creating a swirly pattern. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll ask around at work.”
“That would be great, thank you.” She spooned the vegetables. “So, where are you living? Do you rent one of those condos on the north side of town?”
“Do you remember that little yellow house on Zimmer Avenue?”
She tilted her head. “The one with the purple shutters?”
