Unforgettable (OLD COPY DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 14

The cobblestone bricked courtyard is quiet and cooled by the salty breeze wafting from the harbor as red umbrellas for wrought iron tables flap in the wayward wind. I can see a few boats bobbing on the waves from where they sit docked in the harbor, the clang of buoys ringing out like a haunting melody as I walk for the door to the restaurant.

The interior is quaint, a bar running along the back of the restaurant while a few tables are scattered in front of the large windows. Orange pendant lights hang over the bar, illuminating a few people who are sitting in the light as I glance around the restaurant.

Diana lifts her hand from where she's sitting at a table in the corner, Garret sat next to her as he smiles and waves. Soft music is playing over the speakers as I walk over to the table and take a seat across from them.

"Kara, it's good to see you," Garret crows as he flashes me an eager smile.

"Hi," I say shyly as a blush warms my cheeks.

Diana grins as she catches my eye and fidgets with her hair, "I heard that you've really taken a shine to being on the polo team, you're their number three?"

I duck my head as my blush deepens, "Yeah, I have a match tomorrow."

"You have your own horse too, a rescue?"

I'm slightly taken aback by how much she knows about me and how little I know about her since we haven't been speaking and guilt begins to work its way into my thoughts.

You're here now, make it count.

"Yes, I do, Hera's my main polo horse and I borrow a swim teammate's horse as my secondary," I tell her.

I wouldn't consider Paige to be my friend just yet, seeing as we really only interact at swim meets and polo tournaments. I just don't know how to make friends anymore and even though she's nice and having a friendship with her would be something I would enjoy, I haven't had the guts to approach people to hang out with them lately.

"That sounds nice, I like the horse's name too, did you choose it for yourself?" Diana inquires as a waiter suddenly approaches our table.

"Hey guys, welcome to Longboard's, how are we doing this evening?" the waiter, a young man around Indigo's age asks as he gives us a quick smile.

"We're good," Garret assures him as he leans forward and reaches for a menu on the table.

"Are we ready to order some drinks?" the waiter proposes as he grabs a notepad from his apron and flips it open.

Garret darts a quick look to me, his dark eyes reflecting the light from the pendant fixture above us as it lights up a couple of strands of his dark hair. He lifts an inquisitive eyebrow that almost makes me giggle as his face takes on a comical expression and I try and fail to resist the urge to smile.

"Yes," I agree as I grab for one of the menus and quickly flip it over.

"Ladies first," Garret announces as he smiles at Diana, who playfully elbows him in the side and rolls her eyes.

"I'll take a water with lemons," Diana relays to the waiter, who nods and jots it down before he looks to me.

"I'll just take a Pepsi," I tell him as Garret orders the same thing.

"I'll get your order put in, your drinks will be out soon," the waiter promises before he walks off.

A brief silence settles over us as Diana's phone suddenly buzzes and she pulls it out to check it, the screen illuminating her face as her eyes scan the text. She looks up at me for a second and a prickle of unease makes me catch my breath and hold it as she clicks off her phone and folds her hands in front of her on the table.