Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
"A steak it is," I reply, already planning our future children.
As I step into the dimly lit steakhouse alongside Todd, I can't help but wonder how on earth I ended up here. Just a few days ago, when I bumped into him unexpectedly, I convinced myself that whatever silly crush I had harbored for him was a thing of the past. Clearly, I was mistaken. Watching him effortlessly charm the socks off Great Aunt Matilda stirred something deep within me. Suddenly, the emotions I believed to be long-extinguished surged back with an intensity that took me by surprise. And, strangely enough, I'm not entirely sure that's a bad thing. Damn. I must be a glutton for punishment. I barely survived losing Todd Sharp a decade ago, and now my silly heart is ready for round two.
"This place hasn't changed a damn bit," Todd says as we wait for the hostess to greet and seat us.
The Broadway Steakhouse hasn’t changed at all. It remains a shrine to Texas fancy, where cattle barons meet oil magnates over seventy-dollar steaks. The warm, cozy interior exudes elegance with its dark wood booths and tables, complemented by chairs crafted from the finest materials. The walls are adorned with expensive artwork, adding a touch of sophistication to the ambiance.
I glance out the corner of my eye at Todd, drinking him in. He’s taller and more imposing than he was ten years ago, like someone hit the turbo boost on his whole existence. Dark hair, those piercing blue eyes, and a jawline that looks like it could cut glass. Same old Todd, except he’s more intense, more handsome, and more determined. I take a breath and pretend I’m not at all lightheaded.
"Party of two," he tells the hostess. "Somewhere private."
The hostess gets right on my nerves. She gives Todd a smile that looks like she wants to bottle him up and sell him on eBay. "I think we can find a spot," she says, leading us to a booth with a perfect view of the entire restaurant. I don't miss the sideways glances as we walk. The grapevine will be buzzing soon.
I slide into the booth and attempt a casual air, but I fail miserably. Todd sits across from me, entirely at ease with the attention we’re getting.
I fidget with my napkin, focusing on not tearing a hole in the expensive, white cloth. The past barrels into the present, and I'm reliving that summer when everything felt perfect and then impossibly broken. His eyes crinkle when he smiles at me, and those damn dimples cause my stomach to do summersaults. Some things never change.
The server approaches, and I can't believe my luck. It's Betty, who's been here since the dawn of time and remembers the eighties like it was yesterday. Her eyes light up when she sees us.
"Well, I'll be! If it isn't Maggie Carrington and Todd Sharp! What brings y'all in here after all these years?" Her words echo around the quiet restaurant, drawing everyone’s attention.
Todd laughs, the sound easy and natural, making me itch with irritation and something else I don't want to name. "Just having lunch," he says. His eyes flicker to me, and the room feels about ten degrees hotter.
"I’m glad you guys came by," Betty says.
She takes out her old-fashion pad for our order and I already know what Todd's going to order. "Biggest porterhouse you got. Rare," he doesn’t disappoint. "And a loaded baked potato."
"Got it. And what about you, Maggie? The usual?"
Her words send me spiraling back to the summer I didn't know was about to become ‘The Summer’, where everything seemed possible. "No," I say, my voice not entirely steady. "I’ll have what Todd’s having."
"Coming right up," Betty calls as she breezes away.
I try to focus on the steak knife, on anything but the man sitting across from me. Oh, man. I’m so screwed. My dumb heart isn’t even attempting to resist him.
Todd nods, those blue eyes too damn intense. "Everything okay?"
"Great," I shoot back, not sure what else to say. His eyes crinkle again, and I wish my stomach would stop doing flips.
“Don’t worry, baby.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his. “I’ll go easy on you.”
The comment catches me off guard, and I fumble with my napkin again. He's so calm, so damn sure of himself. It's infuriating and terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
Betty arrives with our drinks and a basket of warm bread. "Here you are. Your steaks will be ready shortly." She hurries off with another wink.
As soon as she's gone, I try to get my bearings, which isn't easy with Todd looking at me like he wants to eat me for lunch. My mind is a minefield of old hopes and new fears, confusing the hell out of me.
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "You don’t have to go easy on me. I can handle anything you dish out," I say with way more confidence than I feel.