“Yeah. How are you?”
“Just fine. Wow, this is a real surprise.”
“What are your plans this week? I’m coming to visit.”
“Whoa! That’s great. Yes. Come. It’ll be so rad to see you.”
“I’ll buzz you when I’m in town.”
“Cool, man.”
I hang up, thinking about Oak River, the perfect place for lying low. And I'm thinking about Rita. I suppose I’m still just a little bit in love with her. But that was a long time ago. I wonder if she remembers me.
Chapter 3
Rita
“Brodie Kent, you old dog!” Dylan stands to greet the tall, wide presence that has taken up nearly all the space of the doorframe, blocking the light from outside. “Bring it in, bro! It’s been a long time, man.”
I watch from behind the counter, where I have made myself small, as the two school friends hug in the middle of The Half Moon Café. Why did Dylan arrange to meet up with Brodie here? Because Kate asked him to, I know. But not today, for heaven’s sake. Yes, I thought he might come in at some point. But not on a day that I’m scheduled. This café is my workplace and having Brodie Kent here is so awkward and inconvenient. I don’t know where to look. The temperature has shot up. I can’t breathe. I fan myself with a tea towel behind the chiller and hope he doesn’t notice me. It’s a good thing there are no other customers.
Brodie has my brother in a bear hug. They’re laughing and slapping each other while I’m standing here feeling more and more self-conscious and wishing I was invisible or, better still, absent. I judge the distance to the door in steps and calculate an exit time. But I’m frozen to the spot with indecision about leaving the safety zone behind the chiller. I should go and see if I can help Kate prep lunch or something. Then my attention is snared by my boss who is peeking out of the kitchen doorway. She waves at me but she’s too shy to come out to the counter. Her hand covers her mouth, barely containing her fizzy excitement.
I roll my eyes at her, then duck down to arrange things on the shelf under the cash register, when Brodie says, “Hey, Rita. Is that you hiding behind the counter?”
“Hey, Brodie.” I slowly stand up. “Good to see you.” I wave a hand like a cardboard cutout. “I wasn’t hiding.” My voice is low and mechanical. “I was arranging the shelf.”
He laughs his unmistakable sexy laugh and bounds over, around the counter, and sweeps me up in his muscular arms. My face is smooshed in his bicep as my feet lift off the floor. He squeezes me tight before releasing me to ground level. Then he holds my shoulders and looks me up and down.
“Rita, Rita, Rita.” He shakes his head and smiles his sexy smile. “Just look at you. You’re gorgeous. Even more beautiful than I remember.”
Kate is still skulking in the doorway and, thankfully, takes Brodies attention away from my burning cheeks. Until she opens her mouth.
“She is, isn’t she? Can you believe she gave up modeling to work in The Half Moon Café?” Kate sneaks around behind Brodie’s huge frame and puts her arm around my shoulders. “My best mate.”
“Ah, hi Rita’s best mate. I’m Brodie Kent.”
“Hi, er, I’m Kate Langton. And, er, I know who you are, Brodie Kent,” Kate says enthusiastically. “I’m a huge fan.”
“Great to meet you, Kate Langton.” Brodie grins at Kate, then at me. “It’s good to know I have one fan in Oak River,” Brodie says holding my gaze, creating an awkward prolonged pause.
“Hey, Dylan,” I call out to disperse the thickening atmosphere. “So, I’ll bet you need to get going, huh?” It’s more of a plea than a question that I hope my brother will pick up on. “I imagine time is tight. I know how busy you are, Dylan.” I extend my hand to Brodie in an effort to say goodbye. “It’s been nice to see you again.” But Brodie doesn’t see my extended hand. His attention is on Dylan, and I’m left hanging.
“Actually, I’m pretty hungry. An early lunch would be good,” Dylan says rubbing his hands together. “I’ve told Brodie the food here is the best in the state.” He grins at Kate who grins right back. “So yeah, if that’s alright with you, bud.” He turns to Brodie then back to Kate, bypassing me. “Lunch sounds perfect.”
Brodie’s eyes light up. “I’d love to. I know it’s early, but I could definitely eat something,” he says looking from Dylan to Kate. “Would that be okay?”
Brodie’s eyebrows tweak up in the middle as he asks. I curse those darn eyebrows. They melt me every time. But my heart sinks. He can’t have lunch here. What is Dylan thinking? There are other places to eat. I desperately try to think of a way to make them leave, but my mind is blank. All I can see is Brodie’s stupid eyebrow thing.
“Oh, of course!” Kate chimes in. “I was going to invite you. Welcome back to Oak River, Brodie Kent. Please order whatever you want. It’s on the house.”
“Well, that’s very generous of you, Kate. Thank you very much.” Brodie smiles broadly and hugs my friend who is not even attempting to mask her obvious star-struckness.
“Take a seat, anywhere,” Kate says with shining eyes. She straightens her apron and smooths back her hair. “The menu is up there on the chalkboard, but if there’s something particular you want, you know, that fits with your athlete diet sheet or whatnot, I’ll be happy to cook up a special request for you. No problem.”
I stare at Kate hoping my laser eyes will bore into her brain and stop her babbling, but she carries on despite my Jedi mind-control.
“First off. What would you guys like to drink?” she says as if she’s in High School Musical.