“Ooh la la. What’d y’all do up there?”
Crossing my legs under the table, I pin her with a glare. “We talked.”
“Is that what you kids are calling it these days?”
Laughing and rolling my eyes, I answer. “We aren’t that much younger than you.”
“Well, I’m sure not frolicking at Cupid’s Point with a hottie firefighter. It definitely feels like you’re a lot younger right now.”
A shadow crosses Hailey’s face before she smiles again. Did I imagine it? It’s easier to pretend I did. With a sigh, I grin. “Wouldn’t say we did a whole lot of frolicking, but you can believe whatever you want.”
“Sorry it took so long for me to get to y’all,” Natalie Grimes apologizes, her face flushed. “It’s been a crazy day.”
“No problem.” I give her a sympathetic smile. “I’ll have the fried chicken salad with house dressing.”
My mouth waters as I think of the taste. Memories of football Friday nights and after-school snacks hit me like a ton of bricks. Nothing will ever replace those moments in life and I’m so glad I had them.
The last four years, I’ve missed them. The tangible connection with a place and its people is vital to my soul. Of all the lessons I learned away from home, that was the most important.
And the one I’ll never forget.