Page 68 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Eighteen

“Wrong pipe.” Courtney pounded on her chest, trying to stop coughing up the wine she’d been choking on after Austin’s admission about Alicia.

Austin patted her on the back and finally, when she was okay again, he leaned in closer, put an elbow on the bar, and dropped the pretty-boy smile.

“Listen, Court, I felt horrible about what happened. I still do. Things just—I don’t know. I don’t have an excuse. I never should’ve…Alicia was just…” He looked off into the distance again, frowning.

Courtney sat back, surprised. She hadn’t seen a lot of this side of Austin—the genuine, humble one—for a long time, even before they broke up. She stared at the bar. What could she say? Anyway, he hadn’t really apologized yet.

When she didn’t respond, he went on. “I’m glad fate, or whatever this is, brought us together tonight—I mean, this is really some crazy coincidence, isn’t it? It still feels—really strange. But good.” His expression softened. “I want to talk about what happened.”

She did, too, even though she didn’t want to admit it.

But everything that happened—it still stung like a hornet. Or a flipping sting ray.

She smirked. “Is that what this is—fate?”

Austin hesitated. “I don’t know. Whatever it is…” he said softly. He reached out and pulled a few strands of hair away from her face. “Can we talk about it?”

* * *

Courtney’s phonebuzzed around in her handbag, which sat on her lap. She must’ve set it to vibrate earlier. She pulled her head away from him and pulled out her phone. “I should answer this.” She was so conflicted that she honestly didn’t care, under the circumstances, if she was being rude.

“No worries.” Austin looked away.

Who’s the tall drink of water?

It was Kira, across the bar. Courtney let a smirk escape her face. She angled the phone so Austin couldn’t see.

My X. From Chicago.

Kira texted back.

Ahhh-ha. And?

Courtney tapped at the screen.

And nothing. No big deal. Just a little closure.

Courtney added a sigh-face emoji and hit send. She looked over and saw Kira still tapping at her phone.

I get it. BTW I’m taking off. CU later. Don’t do anything stupid.

Courtney laughed and sent back a thumbs-up with the wordsDon’t worry. I won’t.It was a pleasant surprise that Kira was looking out for her.

Thanks for asking me to come out. TTYS.

Courtney set the phone back in her purse.

Austin returned his attention to her. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s my friend over there. Just checking up on me. Sorry.”

“I’m glad you’ve made some friends up here.”

“Made some friends?” Courtney smirked again. “What am I, an eight-year-old, now? Why wouldn’t I havemade some friends?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Austin leaned back. “I just meant I’m glad to see you’re doing so well.”

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