Page 9 of Owen's Heart

“Tell me about it,” I agree. University life was a different kind of life altogether. “So what can I get you?”

“Can I get two chicken tender plates with all the trimmings to go? I have to get back to work at the courthouse. I work in the paralegal department,” she states.

“That’s great, Desiree! Let me give your order to the cook. It won’t take long.”

“Great.” She nods and takes a seat at the counter while I go back to personally give the cook my friend’s order.

While Desiree waits, I sit with her since the other waitresses can handle the few customers dotted around the building.

“Are you married or have kids?” Desiree asks as we catch up on old times.

I shake my head. “No.”

“Boyfriend?”

I manage to keep a pleasant look on my face when I answer, “Nope, there is no one special at the moment. My job has been my whole livelihood. What about you?”

“I’m engaged,” Desiree says with a huge smile. “Do you remember Thomas Ray? He graduated the same year Owen Clemonte did. She extends her hand, and I take in her square-cut diamond. I didn’t know much about diamonds, but the sparkle is brilliant, and it looks flawlessly cut.

A tremble travels up my spine at the mention of Owen. But I ooh and ahh over the ring to dismiss my discomfort.

“Yes, I remember Thomas. His family owns the hardware store, right?”

“Right! Now Thomas runs the business since his dad retired. Regina, his sister, didn’t want anything to do with it. She got married years ago and moved to Colorado.”

“Wow, I’m happy for you. Congratulations!”

“Thank you, Rania. Speaking of Owen, I remember you having a crush on him in high school. I heard from your aunt that you two started dating in college, but when I graduated and moved back home, I heard the two of you had broken up. What happened with you two? I always thought you would make the perfect couple.”

“Two chicken tender specials are up,” the cook taps a bell as he calls out.

“Well, your order is up, and it’s on the house,” I tell her when she starts to take out her wallet. “We will catch up another time, and I will tell you all about it, okay?”

“Sure thing, and thank you for lunch. Give me your number, and we will get together soon,” Desiree takes out her cell and hands it over to me. I add my number to her contact list and call my cell. I hang up before it goes to voicemail, so she has my cell number too.

“It’s really great to see you again, Rania. Having you back home will be like old times.”

“Yeah, it will,” I reply.

We hug again before she leaves. I walk her to the door and turn around to head back to the counter. But the door opens again. I turn around to greet the customer when my eyes land on the last person I need to see.

Owen.

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