Savannah’s grip tightened on the steering wheel for half a second before she exhaled and put the car in park.
Mallory caught the hesitation immediately. "What?"
Savannah shook her head, forcing a smirk. "Nothing. Just hasn’t changed much."
Mallory arched a brow. "That’s the point of coming back, isn’t it? Nostalgia, a little sun, a little drinking? Maybe a little—"
"Nope." Savannah cut her off with a sharp look. "Not happening. I am not here for that."
Mallory scoffed. "Please. It’s a beach town and it’s you. That alone means trouble."
Savannah laughed, shaking her head, but as she stepped out of the car, she couldn’t deny the way her heart clenched at the sight of the old bar. This place had history—her history. Back when she was younger, before life got complicated—before she traded spontaneous beach nights for GIS searches and real estate deals—this was where it all happened. Late-night drinks that turned into sunrise conversations. Friends that felt like family. The kind of summers that made youbelieve in forever.
And then, of course, there was him.
She ignored the thought as she and Mallory stepped inside, pushing through the crowd and heading straight for the hostess stand.
"Patio seating?" Savannah asked over the noise, already knowing the answer.
The hostess, a younger girl with sun-kissed skin and salt-dried curls, barely glanced up from her seating chart. "It’s a wait. Ten, maybe fifteen. Bar’s open, though."
Savannah glanced at Mallory, who just shrugged. "We’ll wait."
The hostess scribbled something down and nodded toward the side door. "Go grab a drink. I’ll come find you."
Savannah and Mallory maneuvered their way through the crowd, past groups of tourists nursing colorful cocktails, past the jukebox that had probably been broken since 2008, and finally out onto the patio.
The air was thick with summer heat, the sound of waves lapping against the dock blending with the murmur of conversation. String lights stretched overhead, casting a soft glow over the bar area, where locals and tourists alike drank, laughed, and leaned in a little too close over their beers.
They found a standing spot near the railing, Savannah settling into her chair as Mallory draped her arms over the back of hers, surveying the crowd.
"I like it," Mallory decided. "Feels… lived in."
Savannah smirked. "That’s one way to put it."
Mallory stretched her legs out. "Alright, I need a drink. What do you want?"
Savannah exhaled, rubbing the condensation from the table with her fingertips. "Vodka soda."
"Classy." Mallory grinned. "Be back in a sec."
Savannah watched her disappear into the crowd before leaning back in her chair, letting the atmosphere settle around her. It felt the same but different, like returning to a house you hadn’t lived in for years—familiar, but just foreign enough to keep you on edge.
A breeze rolled off the water, lifting strands of her hair as she glanced around. The patio was packed with a mix of sun-kissed locals and out-of-towners, their voices weaving into the hum of the night. A group of guys stood near the dock, laughing a little too loudly, their drinks sloshing as they gestured wildly. A couple leaned into each other near the bar, their touches lingering, their words meant only for each other.
Savannah exhaled, forcing herself to relax. The past was just that—the past. She wasn’t that girl anymore, the one who had let a summer fling consume her, who had believed in reckless promises whispered under the cover of night.
She stared out at the water, watching the way the lights reflected against the gentle ripples. The ocean had a way of making everything feel smaller, reminding her that time moved forward whether she was ready or not.
"Alright, I made a friend," Mallory announced, dropping into the seat across from her and sliding a drink over. "Bartender’s got a heavy pour, so drink up."
Savannah reached for the glass, grateful for the distraction. "Thanks."
Mallory took a sip of her own drink, then studied her. "So, are you going to tell me what’s actually on your mind, or are we going to pretend you’re just brooding for fun?"
Savannah smirked. "I don’t brood."
"The fuck you don’t. Especially when a certain topic—person—comes up." Mallory wiggled her eyebrows.
