Breaking the Grid

Mom

I close the door behind me, rubbing my cold hands together to warm them as I step into the restaurant. The warmth inside is a relief, and I take a second to shake off the chill before making my way to the hostess stand.

"Good evening," the waitress greets with a polite smile.

"Evening," I nod, returning the gesture. "I'm meeting friends."

She glances at her reservation list. "Under whose name?"

I glance around the restaurant, spotting a few familiar faces in the distance, and smirk. "No idea who booked, but just take me to the noisiest table, and I think that'll be the one," I say with humor.

The waitress chuckles. "Got it. Right this way."

She guides me further into the restaurant, weaving through occupied tables and murmured conversations. The hum of chatter and clinking glasses grows louder, and then, in the distance, I spot them—exactly as expected, a mix of chaos and loud laughter.

The waitress stops a few steps away, turning towards me. "Here, ma'am. Good evening."

"Thanks," I nod at her before shifting my attention back to the group.

"There she is!" she calls out, her voice cutting through the buzz of conversation.

Instantly, all eyes shift toward me. A few of them smirk, others raise their glasses, and I can already hear the teasing coming.

"Look who finally decided to join us," Katie grins, swirling her drink.

"Famous people are always late," Kyra adds, leaning back with a smirk.

I roll my eyes, slipping into the empty seat next to her. "Wow, what a warm welcome. I should leave again."

Beth snorts. "Please, you love the attention."

But before I can make it to them, a small hand grabs onto my wrist, stopping me.

I glance down and see a little boy from the table beside us, his eyes wide with recognition. His mother, seated beside him, says something in another language—clearly scolding him—but he doesn't seem to care.

"You are Blair Becks," he states confidently, as if confirming it to himself. "Can I take a picture with you?"

His boldness makes me smile. I lower myself slightly to meet his height and nod. "Of course, buddy."

He quickly turns to his mother, speaking fast, and she sighs before lifting her phone. I crouch beside him, throwing up a thumbs-up as she snaps the picture.

"Thank you!" he beams up at me, eyes bright with excitement.

I ruffle his hair playfully. "No worries, man. Have a good night."

As I finally turn back toward the table, I'm met with a round of amused and smug expressions. Beth has her arms crossed, Katie is shaking her head, and Kyra? She's just staring at me, an unreadable look in her eyes.

Kyra leans back in her chair, arms crossed. "You weren't supposed to be here."

I smirk, sliding into an empty seat beside her. "Missed me?"

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the small smile she's trying to hide.

I glance around the table, quickly realizing there's no more space next to Kyra. Instead, I find an open seat almost directly across from her. It's not ideal, but at least I'll have a good view.

As I reach the table, I greet everyone with a nod, sliding off my coat and draping it over the back of my chair. The energy at the table is electric—laughter, overlapping conversations, and the occasional clink of glasses against the wooden surface.