He didn’t smile back, the corner of his lip turned upward. It was a positive expression. That’s what I told myself.
And Beau wanting to take me on a date was a good thing too.
So why was there a cold pit of dread sitting in my stomach as Beau put his hand on my back, walking us out?
Everything about the date was perfect.
On paper, at least.
I was wearing an outfit that likely cost more than my car. I felt beautiful, for the first time in my life, I truly felt beautiful. I was walking into a restaurant with a man I loved, a man who loved me.
The man in question opened my car door for me, pulled out my chair, who treated me better than any man ever had—not saying much to be fair.
But there was an undertone to Beau’s behavior. I couldn’t put my finger on it. His forced half smiles, the faraway look in his eyes, the tightness of his jaw. Something was off.
Halfway through dinner—the one that was great but not as good as Beau’s—I was sick of guessing what it could be, driving myself crazy with worry. We were together, I was allowed to ask him what was wrong.
“Beau—”
“Hannah?”
I swiveled in the direction of my voice, the person that spoke it.
“Oh my god, it is you!”
Three women rushed toward the table. Three familiar women.
I stood on wooden legs. “Helen, Jenny, Rachel.” I greeted the gaggle of women with hugs that surprised me.
I would’ve said that I was friendly with the three women, but not friends. Not that they weren’t perfectly nice—they were. They made an effort to include me, invite me out. I went once or twice, but nor my budget or my schedule allowed.
“What are you all doing here?” I asked when the hugs were done.
“We have been meaning to take a trip here for an age,” Jenny told me. “I read an article about this bakery and?—”
“We’re celebrating! We graduated.” Rachel declared, a little louder than the atmosphere of the restaurant invited.
“And we’re saying goodbye to Helen.” She gestured to the petite blonde next to her. “She’s taking a placement in Australia.”
Helen smiled warmly at me. “I know that you always wanted to do it,” she said, remembering a detail I’d said in passing over a year ago. “I’d be happy to put in a good word for you. For when you graduate.”
The intention behind her offer was completely genuine. Helen was the quietest of the trio, the kindest too.
“Youarestill graduating, right?” Rachel asked, louder than Helen spoke. “I mean I know you needed to take time off for personal reasons…” She trailed off, her eyes going to the table, where I’d left Beau.
I’d been conscious of him the entire time, of course. It was impossible not to be. I knew he was watching. Listening.
“Thisis your personal reason, I assume?” Rachel asked with a coy smile. She stepped forward, holding her hand out. “I’m Rachel.”
Beau had a strange look on his face, his jaw still tight. But he got up, shook Rachel’s extended hand.
“Beau,” he said gruffly.
Rachel waggled her eyes at me, giving me a not so discreet thumbs-up.
I shook my head, blushing. “This is my, uh, boyfriend, Beau,” I introduced awkwardly.
Beau shook hands dutifully, exchanging pleasantries with as few words as possible.
