“Only with you.” He grabbed the heavy bag off my shoulder. “Lead the way.”
“I actually came with my assistant. I was going to take a cab home. I don’t live far from here.”
“You’re in Oak Island,” he stated, confused.
I nodded, not elaborating.
“Well then I guess I’ll be driving, Miss Daisy.”
I laughed again. Damn I missed him. I hadn’t laughed or smiled this much in years. He always brought out the best in me.
We drove in silence on the way to the restaurant up the road. Music played just above a whisper. It was a small diner but it was on the beach, and I loved going there with my computer to write. Something about the sound of the waves and the ocean breeze, took me away to another place and time.
I could sense that Austin wanted to reach over and grab my hand like he used to every time we were in the car together. His thumb tapped on the steering wheel instead, while a cigarette was placed in his other hand that was hanging out the window.
His eyes remained on the road ahead, blowing out the smoke from his lungs through the corner of his mouth. The furthest away from me.
Making me smile from the memory of it all.
Him.
Before I knew it we were being seated out on the beach patio of the restaurant. The sun was shining bright, highlighting the red in Austin’s hair.
“Thank you,” I told the waitress after ordering my food.
She nodded and left.
“How have you been?” He was the first to break the silence.
“Really good, Austin. The best I’ve been in a long time, actually.”
He sadly smiled, looking out toward the water.
Not faltering, he stated, “I’m glad Esteban makes you so happy, Briggs. Even if it’s at my expense. You deserve all the happiness in the world. To be treated the way you always deserved.”
It broke my heart a little to hear him say that.
I cleared my throat, bringing his sudden solemn expression back to me.
“I’m not with Esteban.”
His eyebrows rose, taking in what I just shared.
“I haven’t been with him in almost a year-and-a-half. We’re still good friends. It was a mutual decision. It seemed like a good idea in theory, you know trying something else. After Esteban and I ran into each other, I changed my hair back to its original color. I covered my tattoos with clothing I would have never worn before. A part of me wanted to try to be the girl I was before my parents died. The Daisy I thought I was supposed to be. I thought I was happy, and in a way I was. But being comfortable isn’t being happy. I confused the two. He was good to me, and I knew him. I was hurting, and he was the perfect distraction. As much as I hate to admit it, I didn’t want to be alone.”
“Did you love him?” he asked, his stare not wavering from mine.
“No, Austin. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, but I was never in love with him. He knew it. It’s probably why he traveled so much. It was easier that way. He will find the right girl one day. It’s just not me. We sold the house after we broke up, and I started traveling all over for signings. I lived in and out of hotels for a good year, finding my independence for the first time in my life. It was good for me, to find myself. I dyed my hair back, and started dressing like I always had. This is who I am. This is the real Daisy. I bought a house in Oak Island a few months ago. It’s my home. You’re home has always felt like my home. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
I couldn’t believe I just shared all of that with him, but Austin always had a way of making me feel comfortable in my own skin. It was easy to pour my heart out to him. He always made me feel like it was okay to share my thoughts and emotions with him like we had known each other for several lifetimes. Even then, after everything we had been through, it felt normal to tell him all that as if no time had passed between us at all.
No sad stories.
At least not anymore.
<>Austin<>
I took in every word she said, trying to keep my emotions in check. When all I wanted to do was reach across the fucking table, and pull her into my arms. Hold her for as long as I could. Never letting her go.
She was single.
She was still mine.
“How about you? Hmmm? You seeing anyone?” she questioned, biting on her lip like she did when she was nervous.