Page 44 of Facial Recognition

Brooks chuckled. “How did that work out for you?”

“Not so well,” I sighed. “If it had, the man I’d hoped for would be sitting across from me right now, sharing my peanut butter cups and whispering things in my ear that aren’t appropriate for all the kiddos running around to hear.”

Brooks’s cheeks reddened. “Is that what you really wish for?”

“Pretty much. Plus a guarantee he’ll adore me forever.” It’s not like I wanted the moon.

“What are you going to do if you never hear the voice again?”

“Who says I haven’t heard the voice again?”

Brooks’s eyes widened.

“Yeah, it’s annoying, like a broken record. Apparently, it’s really hung up on ‘The One’ for some reason.”

“Are you?”

I lowered my head. “I wish I wasn’t. Anyway,” I reached for my salad, “enough about me.”

“Grace.” He rested his hand on mine. “While I don’t think it’s good to believe in ‘The One,’ I do hope you find who you’re looking for.” He spoke in hushed tones. He brushed his thumb across my skin before lifting his hand. “I hope it’s not Julian.” His tone went from sweet to brusque.

“Why don’t you like him?”

“I like him fine, but he doesn’t have a healthy outlook on relationships.”

“The same could be said about you.”

“You’re right. And I would never wish myself upon you either. You deserve better than that.” Regret seeped through his words. Or was I imagining that? Either way, I sat stunned. Was he saying he had thought about us being together? Or was that wishful thinking on my part? Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to mull it over. The night was about to get more awkward. Our prom king, Sean Devereaux, spotted us. He wasn’t the typical prom king who was the best looking or most athletic. In fact, Sean was the president of the chess club back in the day. Currently, he was balding with a paunchy stomach. Yet, he was one of the nicest guys around and could make anyone laugh. All reasons he was voted to be the prom king and why he was a great car salesman. He’d sold me my new car a few years back. He and his wife, Lily, had been married for a good seventeen years and had four kids, ranging from sixteen to four.

Sean landed on our blanket and looked between the two of us. “Wow. I have to say, I never thought I would see you two together.”

I guess he didn’t share Miss Ellen’s opinion.

He patted Brooks’s back. “It was savage the way you left poor Gracie at prom.” He wasn’t wrong, but he didn’t need to say it out loud.

Brooks gave him a scathing look, all while tugging on his collar.

Sean wasn’t reading the signs and continued on. “Man, you should have seen the tears in her eyes. And you really missed out, buddy; Gracie was a vision that night.” He smiled at me. “Still the prettiest girl in town, besides my Lily, of course.”

“Thanks, Sean. The movie is about to start,” I said, hoping he would get the hint and skedaddle before Brooks punched him.

Sean reached into his pocket, took out a business card, and handed it to Brooks. “If you ever need a new car, give me a call. You can ask Gracie here. I’ll give you a good deal.”

Brooks slowly shook his head no, as if to say it would be best for him to leave.

Some concern crept into Sean’s eyes.

I tried to smooth it over. “Brooks has two vehicles already.” I knew that because I was surprised that Brooks drove a truck, and not a new one either. I’d asked him about his “old” truck on the drive over, and with pride he’d told me how it was the first vehicle he had ever purchased on his own, right after he’d landed his first job for a firm in Houston. However, Morgan wasn’t fond of it and admonished him to be more eco-friendly, so he’d bought a BMW hybrid. He only drove the truck when Morgan wasn’t around. I wanted to ask him if that seemed odd to him but didn’t have the courage. And let’s be real, if I asked, it would only be my jealousy talking.

Sean slinked the card back into his pocket and jumped up. “Sorry to bother y’all. Have a good night.” He disappeared into the maze of people.

Brooks pressed his lips together and stared at me thoughtfully. “Did you really cry that night?”

I nodded, embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, Grace.” This time there was no mistaking the regret in his voice. “Like I said, I would never wish myself upon you.”

Funny. He was all I’d ever wished for.Chapter Seventeen“You’re quiet tonight.” Julian walked beside me as we crossed the arched bridge in the Japanese Garden at the botanical garden.

“Sorry.” I smiled over at him and admired how handsome he looked in his khaki shorts and blue polo shirt that brought out his vibrant eyes.

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