The three of them had gone to Chicago with big dreams. They’d started performing at a pub on the north edge of campus within weeks of the semester starting, and that’s where they met Alli and Cassie. They were always playing before or after each other, which meant they spent hours together most weekends.
Alli’s vocals were smoky and raw, and Cassandra had always worked magic on the guitar. It was a surreal two years creatively. Before the real world set in.
“I need to make a visit to the restroom.” Megs set her fork down and scooted her chair back. A light floral scent wafted toward him with her movement, and that night at Sammy’s slammed back into his mind. She’d smelled like that when they stood in the parking lot. Light and fresh. He wondered if it was her lotion or hair products.
“I’ll come with you.” Alli stood and followed Megs.
“I still don’t understand why women do that.” Matt chuckled, but Gideon wasn’t going to let him get away with small talk.
“Interesting mix here, don’t you think?”
Matt grinned. “So much talent.”
“And relationship potential?”
Matt took another bite of his salad. “I wouldn’t know about that.”
Gideon shook his head. “You’re going to play innocent?” Matt looked up and shrugged as he chewed. “Did you think this would work?”
Matt set his fork down and sighed, glancing at the contestants to the right and left of them before leaning toward him over the table. “All I want is for my friends to be happy. I don’t think that’s a crime.”
Gideon lowered his voice. “You thought putting us together in a romance novel would rekindle our relationships from college?”
Matt looked a little sheepish. “It’s what I do, Gid. I bring people together in every book I write and—”
“Those are fake people.”
“But stories like that happen in real life, and I know you all gave up on living your dreams, but—”
“Gave up?” Gideon tensed.Was that what Matt thought happened when he stopped playing gigs and got his masters?“I didn’t give up. My dreams just changed.”
“It was your dream to work at Champlain? Was it Alli’s dream to work as an executive assistant in Burlington?”
Gideon exhaled. “Matt, we aren’t kids anymore. I—”
“Those faucets were worth the trip.” Megs slid back into her seat, and Alli was only a few seconds behind her. Gideon ground his teeth.
“Yeah?” Matt’s face lit up.
“It was a hand-washing waterfall.” Megs scooted back in close to the table.
Matt whipped out his phone. “That’s going on my list.”
“What list?” Megs grinned.
“My idea list. Might end up in a novel.”
“And I’ll get a cut of royalties, right?”
Matt laughed. “Of course. Point one percent.”
Gideon pulled his foot back as Alli nudged his shoe again, and that time he was convinced she was doing it on purpose.
Megs left classon Monday as fast as possible to force herself not to talk to Gideon. After sitting next to him all night at dinner, it was getting more and more difficult not to text him or talk to him like a friend. He’d been quieter than usual, especially after she and Alli returned from the bathroom. After talking with Alli by the waterfall faucets, she understood why.
Alli and Gideon had been together for two years in college.Two years.They split up only because Alli backpacked through Europe for six months after she graduated. When she came back, Gideon was working on his master’s and she took a job in Chicago.
So, Gideon was seeing her for the first time while sitting next to a random girl he kissed at a burger joint.She couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss at the burger joint.Which was probably why she found herself parking her car in the lot at Sammy’s.
