I kept telling myself that it didn’t matter because I needed to get over him. But that was obviously going to be a lot easier said than done.
“Well don’t you just look cuter than a june bug in a jumpsuit.” Tami Lynn, who was in her sixties and had waitressed at the Spoon since before I was born, winked at me as she smacked her gum. She was as much a staple of Wishing Well as the well that the town was named after, which sat in the center of town square.
“Thanks!” I beamed.
Even though I’d told myself it wasn’t the case, the truth was I’d gotten dressed with one thing, or should I say one person, in mind. I had no idea if Holden was still in Wishing Well, but if he was, it was a small enough town that I felt like my odds were good at having a sighting. I’d say I had a fifty-fifty chance.
Which is why I’d grabbed my new, off the shoulder, red and white floral crop top and cutoff jean shorts. I’d taken the extra time to blow out my hair and give myself beach waves, which I’d had to look up how to do on YouTube, thank you very much. I’d slathered on my favorite lotion that smelled like cinnamon and berries. I’d spent a good hour making sure that my makeup looked natural and basically like I wasn’t wearing any—again, I’d gotten assistance from a YouTube tutorial. I’d even painted my nails and toes. Not that you could even see my toes because I was wearing white sneakers.
It was more trouble than I’d gone to for any of my dates over the past couple of months. And chances were, the man wasn’t even in town. And even if he was, I needed to stay away from him. But those facts hadn’t stopped me from trying to look my best.
“Maisy’s already here.” Tami Lynn pointed a long, red acrylic nail to the back of the diner. “And she ordered, so you gals are all set.”
“Thanks.” I’d messaged to let my friend know that I was going to be a few minutes late. She’d said she was starving so she was going to go ahead and order for us.
A niggle of disappointment sparked in my chest as I walked through the crowded dining area and did not spot Holden. Maybe he’d already left. Maybe I had missed my chance. But I reminded myself, what chance did I actually have?
There were really only two options, Holden had either found the letter I’d snuck in his bag all those years ago, read it, and never said anything about it. Or he’d never found the letter, but also had zero desire to know me as an adult. I wasn’t sure which scenario would hurt worse, but both of them definitely stung.
The man had shown zero interest in me since we were in middle school, yet for some reason, I still held out hope that there was something there. Being a hopeless romantic was definitely not all it was cracked up to be. I envied Molly for her more pragmatic view on…everything.
“Hey there, hot stuff!” Maisy’s eyes lit up as she slid out of the booth and pulled me into a hug.
“Hi, beautiful!” As I hugged her back, I couldn’t help but think that this outfit was seriously going to go to waste if I didn’t have a Holden run-in.
As we both sat, she wagged her brows. “I’m guessing your date went well.”
“My date?” My mouth watered as I looked down at my plate. Maisy had ordered me my go-to lunch at the Spoon: club sandwich, wheat toast, side of fries, and a pickle spear. I grabbed a fry, dipped it in ketchup, and popped it into my mouth.
“You left last night to go on a date, right? And you are glowing this morning, soo…”
I shook my head as I finished my fry. “Oh no, I didn’t…I mean yes, I did go to dinner with someone last night, but nothing happened.”
Her face scrunched up. “Was he the nose picker?”
“He had an itch.” I defended Tyler again and determined in my mind not to tell anyone about my dates in the future. It was difficult enough figuring out what my instincts were about someone without the input of my friends and family clouding my judgment, which was obviously not to