“I’m so glad I met you, Hayden. I loved today. I feel liberated. I have to call Blake and tell him to come down and try one of these burgers. Will you wait with me until he gets here? Then he can drive me home and you don’t have to backtrack to Decatur.”
“Of course,” I say. I’m curious to meet the guy. My mind goes to a distinct mental image—a plain guy wearing khakis and an argyle sweater vest. Maybe even an awkward comb-over. I instantly feel bad for the thought. After all, it’s poor Caroline’s wardrobe that’s lacking…not her. She’s quite pretty and pleasant, underneath the wall she’s put up. She’s been worked to death without any time for herself—I’m sure she just needs someone to prod her back to life and help her open up.
As we wait, Caroline and I continue bonding. “You don’t have to answer this if it’s too personal, but how did your parents handle your anorexia?” she asks.
“I don’t mind, but the answer is they didn’t. I don’t really have a dad. I mean I do…I just don’t know who he is.”
I watch Caroline’s eyes grow to the size of small saucers.
I went on. “He took off when I was a baby. And my mom was really busy working throughout my childhood, trying to provide for us.”
Caroline shakes her head frantically. “Wow, so you don’t have a dad? I’m so sorry. I get it, well, sort of. It was hard growing up with my dad…he’s actually kind of a dick.” Caroline puts her hand up to her mouth, surprised she let that out. I guess the wine is helping her unload. “My mom gives in to whatever he wants. My aunt, the one you know, is the only member of my family that doesn’t put up with him.”
I nod along as she talks until my eyes are suddenly drawn to the entrance and I notice a really hot guy walk in. God, my poor hormones.
He’s the kind of guy I’ve always been attracted to. A full head of tousled brown hair, a hint of sideburns, long-sleeve flannel with tattoos peeking out at the wrists, a slim waist in black jeans, and tattered Converse to finish it off. Damn, if only he were wearing combat boots. But then again, it’s best he’s not, otherwise I’d probably turn into some kind of hormone-raging lunatic before scaling the booth and flying into his arms.
“CC?” the guy calls out. He seems to be looking for someone.
Caroline turns around and waves him over. “Blake, over here.” She looks at me and whispers jokingly, “I mean, seriously, how many redheads are there in this place?”
This is Blake? I’m speechless.
He walks up and Caroline introduces us before he slides into the booth. I reach out my hand and he shakes it. His mouth is moving but I can’t understand what he’s saying.
“Huh?”
“I said it’s nice to meet you,” he says with a genuine, beautiful smile as he looks directly into my eyes.
“Likewise,” I squeak, barely able to catch my breath. Oh, boy.
Chapter 4
“So, Hayden, CC tells me you’re going to snazzy up her wardrobe?”
Blake is sitting next to Caroline and they don’t seem to be touching, until he leans over and kisses her on the cheek. I’m watching them closely. Caroline doesn’t blush, but I do for some reason. She continues looking at me, barely acknowledging his gesture.
“Yes, Blake, Caroline and I are definitely going to snazzy it up.” He’s playful, very different from Caroline. He drifts his arm over her shoulders. “How long have you two been together?” I ask.
“Since high school,” Caroline says.
“You went to high school together?”
“No,” Blake answers. “I grew up in Montauk and—”
“Blakey was a latch-key kid,” Caroline interjects.
“Oh,” I say, surprised. So was I. “So how did you two meet, then?”
“Well, I wasn’t exactly a latch-key kid. I had a single mom who had to work full-time to support us. And Caroline and I met because her family used to vacation in the Hamptons. I worked there during the summers.”
“Oh, I see.” I wonder if Caroline realizes how similar mine and Blake’s childhoods were?
“But you two don’t go to the Hamptons anymore during the summer?” I suddenly feel like I need to know everything about this couple. Why is Blake into Caroline? They seem very different from each other. Was this his way out of a working-class life?
“No, we don’t go out there anymore,” he says abruptly, and pulls his arms away from Caroline. “I’m gonna grab a beer. You ladies need anything?” I wonder if I offended him.
“I’m good,” I say, but Caroline asks for another glass of wine.
