A Broken Forever(33)

"We're almost there," the low melodic rumble of his voice filled the car.

"Okay," I said with a nod as I straightened in my seat, reluctantly turning to face outside of the window. I hated the way the empty space between us filled with uncomfortable silence, but I was in no position to lighten the mood.

Unsurprisingly, minutes later Stefan pulled into the parking lot of our absolute favorite restaurant, Boston Burger Company. He turned off the car and shifted his body around to face me.

"So, how'd I do?" His head nodded toward the front doors.

I smiled at the doors and looked back into those hauntingly beautiful blue eyes. "You were right."

We went inside, got a booth in the back, and the young hostess gave us our menus. She stared at Stefan ceaselessly as she babbled something about the waitress coming over to the table. After batting her lashes a few too many times she stepped away. I watched her walk off, and when I turned my gaze back to Stefan he was staring at me. With an arm draped across the back of the booth and amusement in his eyes, I tried to ignore the way my blood sizzled at his attention.

"So … " he started, but stopped as the waitress appeared at the table.

"Hi there, I'm Cami, and I'll be serving you today," she said with no hesitation as she eyed Stefan up and down. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Stefan spoke up before I could even think what I wanted. "Two Samuel Adams, and we're actually ready to order."

"Oh, okay."

"I haven't even had a chance to look through the menu," I added, only making a Cheshire-like grin spread over his lips.

"Do you really need to look?" he challenged.

"Maybe I do," I insisted.

He shifted forward, placing his elbows on the table his face slowly inched closer to me. Before I knew it, I was moving in toward him.

"You didn't pick this restaurant because you wanted a salad, Greyson Rose. There was only one meal we ever used to get when we were here. So you can't tell me you selected this place to change traditions."

His eyes held me in their grasp as he watched every muscle of my face for the slightest twitch to prove him right.

"Fine, you're right … again."

The corner of his lips quirked up as he handed Cami the menus. "We're going to take two Mac Attack burgers, medium well, waffle fries and seasoned sour cream."

I raised my eyebrows at him, letting him know that he was forgetting one thing. He grinned at me and turned his attention back to Cami. "Make that extra seasoned sour cream."

My head nodded a single time in approval, Stefan winked as Cami read back our orders.

"Sounds perfect," he replied, his eyes never leaving mine.



       
         
       
        

"I'll put that in the computer and be back with your beer." Judging by the tone change in her voice, she was obviously giving up the battle for Stefan's affection.

When Cami was out of sight Stefan leaned back against his seat, unbuttoning the single button of his sports blazer.

"So why here, Greyson Rose?"

I figured he would ask that question, but I still hoped he wouldn't. "What do you mean?" I asked simply to give myself a little bit of time before I had to answer.

He cocked his eyebrow, not buying my ignorance for one second. "Don't play dumb, Grey. Why here?"

I shrugged my shoulders and looked everyone around the booth and the table in front of me, anything to avoid his penetrating gaze. "I don't know, I was just craving a mac and cheese burger, I guess."

His head bobbed up and down. "When was the last time you came here?"

"It's been a while," I admitted.

"Me too," he added. "Not since we were last here together."

Something about that made me heart tighten. Was it a coincidence that in the past six or so years the both of us avoided the places that were special to us? I wasn't sure, but the way the thought comforted me was enough to believe it may be true.

A single dry chuckle made its way from my chest. I looked up to meet his eyes and muttered, "Memories."

With his eyes holding mine he nodded, "Indeed."





Throughout the remainder of our meal I laughed so hard my belly hurt and smiled so much my cheeks were sore. And when I stopped to think about it, I could hardly believe Stefan Harrison was sitting across from me. Less than a week ago he felt like nothing but a faint memory, but now here we were-it was so surreal. One part of me wanted to hold this moment close to my heart, but my head was screaming at me to back away.

There would always be something in me that would be drawn to him. It had been like that since the first day I met him. Never before had I ditched a class until Stefan, and to this day I still didn't know what made me do it. I guess maybe even then my heart knew he was meant for more in my life. I wondered if at that point destiny knew everything we would go through. Did it know the pain he would cause me by simply not being there? Was I always meant to hurt by the one person that promised and vowed not to?