Page 9 of The Truths We Find

Imanaged to avoid Dani for a few hours before lunch. After that meeting, it felt like the safest option.

When it’s time to meet, I head to the restaurant and get a table for three near the front.

I glance at the menu and know right away what Dani’s going to get. She was always a creature of habit when it came to Italian food, and I would be shocked if things have changed over the years. The restaurant is practically empty, which could go very well for me, or very badly. I haven’t decided yet.

The front door opens, and I see Dani, with who I assume is Alexa, walk in. They make their way to the host stand to check in, and I can hear their entire conversation.

“I can’t believe I’m actually doing this,” Dani huffs.

“It’ll be fine. You’ll have me as your buffer and if he says anything I don’t like, I’ll jump right in.” Alexa smirks.

That makes me quietly chuckle. I’m glad Dani has such a good friend, even if it’s at my expense.

A phone starts ringing and Alexa reaches into her purse.

“Just give me one second.” She brings it to her ear. “Hello… Yes, this is Alexa… No, that interview isn’t for two more hours… Um, sure, I’ll be right there… Goodbye.”

“Don’t tell me you have to go,” Dani pleads.

“I’m so sorry, D. Tate’s people are moving up the interview. I need to be downtown in thirty minutes or it’s not happening.”

“No, no, it’s fine. This is a huge get. Go. I’ll be okay.”

As Alexa is just outside the open door, she yells, “I want all the details when I get back. And don’t forget, don’t kill him! I can’t afford that kind of bail.”

Dani laughs. So do I. Alexa is definitely a character.

“Bye! And good luck!” Dani says to her friend.

Alexa vanishes from view, and Dani scans the restaurant for me. I wave her over and suddenly feel a wave of anxiety. With a single look, she makes me feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. How can she still make me feel like this after a decade apart? Like I want to kiss her and keep her at a football field’s distance at the same time.

“Thanks for coming.” I gesture for her to sit.

“Uh, yeah.” She hesitates.

“I saw Alexa had to leave. Tate’s interview got pushed up it sounds like?”

She stares at me, her brows furrowed. “Were you over here eavesdropping on our private conversation?”

I hold my hands up like a busted perp. “My bad. But it’s not like you were trying very hard to keep your voices down.”

“Well, if you must know, boss, it was now or never. She worked too hard for it not to happen.”

I know when she says the word boss, it’s dripping with disdain. But for some reason, it still does something to me that’s probably a sign I need to get my head checked.

“If I’m being honest, I’m actually glad she had to leave,” I say. “I think this conversation would be better just between us.”

As I’m about to keep going, our server walks up to the table. “What can I get you guys to drink?”

I answer before Dani can. “A coke with lemon for me, and a Shirley Temple for my friend here. And we’re also ready to order. Can we please get the meatball appetizer, a large salad with ranch, and an order of cheesy garlic bread?”

“Sounds good.” The server smiles. “I’ll have that out shortly.” She takes our menus and walks away.

Dani stares at me with a blank look.

“What?” I ask.

“We haven’t seen each other in ten years. How do you know my tastes haven’t changed?”