Road trip

11- Savannah

Four and a half hours. That how much time we had before we got to Savannah. That time allotted for lunch and some potty breaks that I knew I would need to make.

The first half of the trip we cranked up the radio as I slipped my sunglasses on and sang along. Then we stopped for lunch at a McDonald's.

Austin being the silly person he was, insisted on piggy backing me inside the lobby, and honestly I was having too much fun already to say no.

We got our food and sat down to eat.

"I can't wait for us to get there." I took a bite of my fries.

"Yeah we will have to thank my dad when we see the hotel he got us. If it sucks we can sleep in the truck." He grinned as he sipped on his straw.

I couldn't help but watch his lips as he did, Andy's he started talking  I caught myself thinking back to that night where we had pushed out of the bounds of friendship. How amazing it had felt having his lips touching mine the way they had.

"Anna?" His voice snapped me out of the memory.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you were ready to get back on the road?" He motioned to his empty tray and my half eaten lunch. Although I seriously couldn't eat anymore now, I was hungry for something else now, something I couldn't have.

I got up and threw the remainder of my food in the trash as we made our way back to the truck.

"You good A?" He asked as we got in and fastened our seatbelt.

"Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking. Let's just get there. We can put some country on since I know you love it." I smiled changing the station and watching his face turn up at the sound of the country music playing through the speakers.

I don't know why, it wasn't a far drive but I dozed off anyway, leaning against the window as Austin rested his free hand on my hand. I completely missed when we entered Georgia and when we entered the coastal city of Savannah.

"Wake up pretty, we are here." He shook me gently as I opened my eyes and looked at the charming historic house with a small sign that said it was the Azalea Inn.

He grabbed out bags and walked beside me into the quaint and charming house to the check in desk.

"My father booked us a room. It should be under Daniels." He smiled at the lady behind the desk as she clicked on her computer.

"Yes, he requested a balcony specifically." She smiled grabbing a room key and directing us to the room.

Once we were unpacked we decided to find somewhere to go eat. I was now starving and thankfully we were able to find a place not too far away to go, although Austin insisted I put something nicer on than my shorts and t shirt.

I slipped on my Scarlett red dress and some black flats and together we walked along the outside of the famous Forsyth park until we found the place we were looking for, local11ten.

It looked kind of upscale and neither of us were even old enough to drink whatever was written on the cursive drinks menu. A fact the waitress noticed as she took us to a table hesitantly as she eyeballed us.

Thankfully our waiter, Paul, was a lot more friendly and very openly gay. Or at least that's what I assumed after watching him not so subtly flirting with Austin.

He brought out drinks as I smirked to myself and shot Paul a wink of encouragement. It was honestly kind of entertaining to watch Austin trying to let him down gently. Evidently he hadn't realized that Paul was also wearing a wedding band. Guys can be so dumb.

"You think we can walk through the park and see the fountain on the way back?" I asked remembering how molly had always wanted to come at night, but the last time we visited with her parents we were too young to stay up late enough for it to get dark.

"Of course, I was planning to take you to see it anyway." He grinned taking my hand in his above the table.

I didn't miss the glances we were getting, and no doubt it probably looked like we were on a first or second date and that it was a romantic moment, not a moment where we decided to walk past a water fountain on our way back to the hotel.

"I'm going to leave the check here for you, I hope you both have a splendid time in Savannah." He said putting the check down before sliding a small piece of paper into Austin's jacket pocket. I assumed it was a joke phone number so I didn't pry.

"Come on, let's show you off to this big old fountain." He teased folding the note back up, slipping it in his pocket, and then taking my hand in his to lead me out of the restaurant.

"Austin, we gotta pay." I reminded him as he turned around and threw a hundred dollar bill on top of the check.

"My bad."

With that settled we left and headed into the almost deserted park. We walked past the statue, the playground and gardens as Austin's hand settled on my back. I was glad it was a warm night because the breeze felt soothing on my skin as we approached the water fountain that was lit up.

" It's so beautiful." I gasped as we approached the metal black gate surrounding it.

"Yeah it is." He said as his hand moved to cup my  waist and pull me into his side.

I leaned my head against his side and watched the water as it fell from the fountain to the concrete below. It was soothing and having Austin here added to the calmness that the whole scene brought me.

"Let's get a picture and we can head back." He suggested.

I turned to face his phone as he snapped one picture of us smiling, one of us being silly, and then the final picture of my eyes closed and smiling as he kissed the side of my head.

His hand found mine and together we walked back to the inn. Tomorrow we had a busy day before we left the next morning for the next stop.

I didn't react when there was only one bed, it looked big enough for us to fit with extra space, but internally I wasn't entirely sure how the close proximity was going to work.

Friends, we could only be friends.