August 23th, 2024
"Feeling lucky today, got the sunshine,
Could you tell me what more do I need?
And tomorrow's just a mystery, oh, yeah,
But that's okay..."Bailey
The hand Beckett had placed on my lower back tensed as we entered the diner, and it wasn't until I followed his line of sight that I understood why. The waiter from last time was waiting at a table nearby, and Beckett's jaw was tense as he glared at him.
Yeah, that makes my heart race.
Caleb and Wren took off ahead of us, and I cleared my throat to get Beckett's attention. His gaze immediately softened the second his eyes met mine, and when I intertwined our fingers, his lips tilted up in a small grin.
"Stop glaring," I laughed lightly, dragging him after our friends. "I think he got the point last time."
"I hoped so," he smiled, sliding in the booth after me. Our hands broke apart so I could maneuver in the booth, but I expected to find his hand waiting for me again.
Instead, I swallowed the lump in my throat and ducked my head to hide the blush as his hand rested on my thigh. I had changed into shorts earlier, because moving around while unpacking had been uncomfortable in jeans.
But now, as Beckett's warm hand rested on my skin, really high up my thigh, I was both regretting and praising my earlier decision.
Good grief, Bailey.
Get a grip.
"Oh this is gonna be good," Wren snickered, nudging Caleb's arm next to her. He looked up then, following her gaze over Beckett's shoulder, and then his glare hardened. "Prep up that glare, Bucket."
Yeah, she's not gonna let that one go.
"Welcome to Maverick's!" Our waiter said, a little too excitedly as he scanned our table. Beckett's hand tensed on my leg for a moment, and I rested my palm over it before squeezing. "What can I get y'all started with to drink?"
I don't think he recognizes us.
Thank Christ.
"Two sweet teas," I answered, pointing back and forth from Beckett and I with a soft smile.
"Yeah, same here," Caleb answered, and Wren turned to him to scoff. "Oh shut up, you were gonna order it anyways."
"Youweregonnaorderitanyways," Wren mocked, but I could see the small uplift of her lips as she turned back to her menu. The waiter didn't ponder for long, and I was relieved when he went to make our drinks right away.
"He doesn't even seem like he remembers us," Wren gloats. "No fun. I wanted more of a show."
"Not me," Beckett perked up. "I like this much better."
Oh, I bet.
Wren kept teasing him after that, and it was impossible not to laugh despite the butterflies going off in my stomach. I almost missed my phone buzzing, but I am glad I didn't.
Unknown Number: You lied about the ending of Keeping 13.
I grinned as I read over Keegan's message, but it quickly faltered when Beckett's thumb started tracing circles into my skin.
"What is it?" He asks. I turn my phone over to him, and he lets out a laugh after reading it over. "I think we're gonna like it here."
"I do too," I said softly, using my periphery to see Wren mid laugh at something Caleb told her. I watched the scene with a smile, and then I turned back to the gray eyes waiting for me to meet his. "I like having most of my favorite people here."
All except one.
My absolute favorite one.
My grandfather should have been here today. It's like I can still see his beaming smile, and hear his laugh in my head. The ache has turned to a bittersweet one when I think about it all. When I think about him, I imagine him with my grandmother, and he's always smiling.
He's so happy.
And he's not alone. And neither am I. When I am surrounded by these people, the ones who have been here during the best and worst year of my life, I'm not alone. They've loved me through my hardest time, and I'll love them through theirs.
This is my family now.
My home.
So I will continue to do what my grandfather asked of me.
On the bad days to come, I'll focus on making him proud. So when the day comes that we finally see each other again, I can tell him all about it.
But in the meantime, I will be here, with my favorite people.
With this boy.
Living every day to the fullest, like it will be my last. I'll get my degree, I'll have a bookshop, maybe I'll even write a book.
And I will definitely marry this boy.
Because that's what life is about, isn't it?
To live for the hope of it all.
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to live for the hope of it all.
Romance"If you are ever lucky enough to come across something so beautiful it shifts your whole world, don't ever let that go." Beckett Davis: I've been in love with Bailey Connors since I was 7 years old and she gave me back my soccer ball. We've been nei...