Return From The Big Apple

Chapter VIII: Remember

I never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even though I pretend that I've moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter where life takes me to
A part of me will always be with you
("Never Had A Dream Come True" – S Club 7)

Carl finally finished reconciling the paperwork for the night. They'd had another successful corporate event large enough to nearly exceed the restaurant's occupancy limits. He wiped at his forehead before taking a drink and glanced up at the clock on the wall, grimacing at the late hour. Hopefully Riley was just as ready to get home as he was. He slowly got up and pushed open the kitchen door. "Hey Ril—"

"...answer me right this minute!"

What in the... He stopped short as he saw her sitting at the bar, clutching the phone tightly against her ear, her face suddenly draining of color as if she had seen a ghost. "Riley?" He quickly walked over to her. "Riley? You good?"

"...Drake?"

Oh boy... "I'm just gonna..." Carl pointed back towards kitchen and walked away. "...okay."

Riley barely even registered his presence as her mind raced at the sound of her old friend's voice—someone she'd thought she'd never hear from again. "Long time..." A long beat passed between them. "You've got a lot of explaining to do."

"I... take it you two met?"

"We have. Beautiful girl you got there."

"Thanks..."

Awkward silence.

"Look, Mason, I know we haven't spoken in years, but it's still me here. I haven't changed much since you left, minus a few gray hairs. Talk to me."

"Drake, I..." She could feel herself choking up as she trailed off.

"I swear if you start crying on me..."

"Sorry," she said, half laughing, half crying. She took a moment to compose herself. "Okay... I'm okay. How... how've you been, Drake?"

"Still not a noble."

"But he did marry one..." Hana broke in, leaning her head on his shoulder from behind.

"Hana?!"

"Hi Riley..."

"I knew something would happen with you guys some day. So when did Drake finally admit his feelings for—"

"Now hold on a minute," Drake protested. "What do you mean when Drake admitted? How do you know it wasn't Hana?"

"Really, Drake?"

"It was about a year later," Hana laughed. "We had returned to those same cliffs that we all went to in France, only this time it was just me and him. It was quite romantic."

"Whiskey and s'mores included?"

"What do you think, Mason?" The three of them shared a laugh before growing silent again. "Sure would have loved to have had you there for our wedding, you know."

She sighed softly. "Drake, Hana, I..."

"What happened, Riley?" Hana asked. "Why did you leave? Why didn't you return our messages? You just... completely shut us out."