I assumed this wasn’t the normal greeting she received when she showed up at the diner. Things were so uncomfortable because she was there with me. I was under the impression that she didn’t date much, let alone bring someone around. That meant I was lucky, even if I didn’t feel it at the moment.
“Oh my gods, they’re here,” someone squealed, shattering the silence. It was like they broke a spell because everyone resumed their conversations, turning their attention away from us.
Tegan noticeably brightened up, tugging me toward a booth at the back of the diner.
“This is Declan and Selene,” she said, as we slid into the booth.
“Hello!” the guy—I’m assuming Declan—said, waving enthusiastically. He looked to be about our age, smiley and chipper with a bushy beard that really fit his face.
“Hi,” the girl—Selene—said, with a much more subdued wave. She had to be younger than us, early twenties if I had to guess. Tall and thin with curly brown hair. There was no way I could ever introduce her to Fallon.
Tegan introduced me next. “This is my boyfriend, Atlas.”
“Boyfriend!” Declan said, his brows drawing back. “That’s new.”
I looked at my watch. “Yep, as of an hour ago.”
“I’m so happy for you guys,” Selene said.
“You’re so tall,” Declan said, staring at me wide-eyed.
“Uh, thanks, I guess?” I rubbed my ears, feeling slightly awkward.
Selene elbowed Declan in the stomach, giving him a look.
“What?” he scoffed. “It’s just an observation.”
“Anyway,” Selene said, cutting in. “You own the gym down the street?”
I nodded. “Yep. I bought the old rec center six months ago, and after renovations, we’ve been open for about three months.”
“That’s so cool,” Selene said. “I might have to stop by and check it out.”
“For sure. I can give you some passes,” I told her.
“Is the pool still in there?” Declan asked.
I nodded. “Completely refinished but it’s still there.”
Declan brought his hand to his chest. “Tegan and I learned to swim in that pool.”
“Oh, me, too,” Selene chimed in.
“Is that right?” I said, smiling over at Tegan.
“We did—and I think it was pretty run down even then,” Tegan said. “I’m glad you could save the rec center. We had a lot of memories there.”
“Summer camp. Pottery class. Oh, remember that year our parents signed us up for karate?” Declan asked Tegan.
I loved this glimpse into Tegan’s past, the history of the town, and her friendships. It left me hungry for more, wanting to know everything about this woman and make my own memories with her.
“I can’t imagine you and Dec doing karate,” Selene said.
The thought of Tegan in a bright white gi, her bun flopping around on top of her head while she doled out punches and kicks, was adorable. Maybe I could get her to sign up for BJJ classes. She’d probably kick ass at it.
“Hey, I almost got my yellow belt, thank you very much,” Declan said, crossing his arms over his chest.
I don’t know why Tegan was worried. Declan was a little dramatic, but he was funny. I was having a good time.
