Page 63 of My Fake Fiancé

“I think it’s that way,” she points down the street, I give her a look. “What? I’m not good with directions.” I gesture for her to lead the way. She loops her arm through mine and tugs me along.

“We better not get lost.”

“Relax, it’s on this street. I know that.” She pauses and looks around, squinting in the dark. “Well, maybe. I think.”

“T!” I give her arm a shake and she laughs.

“Look, it’s right here.”

“Oh, my gosh. I know this place,” I tell her, a smile growing on my face. She raises her eyebrows and I nod, excitedly. “Kurt took me here once. I always wanted to go again. His buddy Benny owns the place!”

I must sound too excited because Tatyana laughs happily. We make our way to the front entrance and she holds the door open for me. “My dear,” she says laughing.

“Thank you, kind sir,” I giggle in return.

“Welcome in!” A voice calls from behind the bar. And when we walk further into place, I spot Benny pouring drinks. There aren’t too many people in here, just like the night Kurt and I came but it’s a pretty good crowd for how late it is.

“Hey! Juliana!” Benny greets me when he looks up, finishing the drinks in front of him. “How have you been?”

“Hi, Benny! Craving those delicious chicken strips and fries,” I tell him, my mouth practically salivating thinking about them.

Benny chuckles. “Coming right up! Anything for your lovely friend?”

“Tatyana,” I say as an introduction.

“Hiiii.” Tatyana grins at him. “I heard about this place from some of my friends. I thought I was dragging Juli here when I told her about it but as soon as she saw the place she practically sprinted.” Tatyana teases me and I roll my eyes.

“Well, I’m glad somebody loves the place,” one of the patrons at the counter says gruffly. Benny chuckles.

“Just for that, I’m cutting you off,” Benny teases.

“Hey, I was just joking,” the man retorts with a humorous laugh. Benny shakes his head, chuckling.

“So, chicken strip basket for you and…?” Benny asks Tatyana.

“Two of those sounds good. And whatever you have on tap works for me.”

“Alright, let me pour your drinks and I’ll be right back with the food.” Benny turns back to the bar, grabbing our drinks. He places an ale in front of Tatyana and a Dr. Pepper in front of me. I’m impressed that he remembered. We thank him before he disappears into the kitchen.

I look around the bar, falling silent. The last time I was here was after a very long, chaotic but also great day. The party at Kurt’s place had been insane but it also brought us closer together.

“Hey, what’s going on in your head?” Tatyana asks after a few minutes of silence. She sips on her drink, slowing down for the evening and staring at me over the rim.

“Yeah,” I say but she narrows her eyes at me and I sigh. “It’s just that the last time I was here, I was with Kurt. It was right after that disastrous party but then we had so much fun here and when we got back home… remember I texted you that night?” I ask with an embarrassed chuckle.

“OMG, yes! That was the night you two made out!” Tatyana practically cheers and I have to shush her even though I’m giggling a bit.

“Yes, yes it was. And it was amazing,” I say, just for fun. “But it was also the night when he first admitted that he liked me, like really liked me.”

I sigh and shake my head. Tatyana lets me remain silent for a few seconds before she reaches over and squeezes my hand.

“You okay?”

“I’m getting there, I guess,” I say with a shrug.

Before we can say anything else, Benny comes back with two steaming baskets and slides them in front of us.

“Boom! Heaven in a basket.” His antics cheer me up and I laugh. Tatyana’s mouth hangs open as she stares at the deliciousness in front of her.

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