“But you said you were still in love with Bo…”
Ginger’s lips tipped up and she replied sweetly, “I’ve decided that Bo was merely a bump in my road, and the guy that I’m supposed to be with is still out there.”
“Yeah,” I said with a smile. “You definitely deserve better than Bo. I’m sure your prince charming is looking for you right now.”
“And, just maybe, you’ve already met yours,” she replied coyly.
“I know I did,” I countered sadly, “But I lost him. Lightening doesn’t strike twice, Ginger.”
“Sure it does, sugar,” Ginger insisted, placing her hand gently on my arm.
But somehow, I thought that believing her was more dangerous than denying the possibility of falling in love again.
Chapter 31
We walked along the row of bars and restaurants until we found the one Jones had told us to meet him and Luke at. We’d had a great day of shopping, strolling the downtown area, and catching up after months apart. I was happy to say that Ginger was as fun and friendly as I’d remembered, and it felt like we hadn’t been separated from each other at all.
Friends like that were hard to come by, at least for me.
We entered the restaurant and I saw Luke striding toward us.
“Hey, I was just coming out to check and see if you were here. Jones and I got a table already,” Luke said as he reached us. He was wearing black dress pants and a brilliant blue button up that matched his eyes perfectly. Without the hat, I could see his full head of dark hair, and had a sudden urge to reach my hand up and tousle it.
“Hi, I’m Ginger,” my friend said, rushing forward with her hand thrust out.
“Luke, nice to meet you,” he responded.
Ginger looked over her shoulder and mouthed, “Oh. My. God,” before turning back to him and saying, “Wow … Belle said you were easy on the eyes, but she failed to mention that you’re gor-geous!”
I rolled my eyes at her over-exaggerated flirting, and was surprised to see Luke’s face get red.
He cleared his throat nervously and said, “I’ll take you back.”
Ginger hooked her arm through one of his, then gave me a look that said, put your arm in the other one, so I tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow and let him lead us to the table.
“How’d you happen upon the two most beautiful women in Charleston?” Jones asked with a grin as we approached the table.
“Aren’t you a charmer?” Ginger said with a gleeful giggle.
She rounded the table and I introduced them, then Jones held out the chair next to him for her to sit.
I looked at Luke, to see him standing behind the chair across from Ginger, holding it out for me to sit.
“Thank you,” I said, giving him a small smile before lowering myself to the chair. He pushed it in, then sat.
Ginger and Jones were engaged in conversation, so I perused my menu, then turned to Luke and asked, “Have you been here before? What’s good?”
“Well, you know I’m a meat and potatoes kind of guy,” Luke answered with a handsome grin. “And the rib-eye here is fantastic.”
“Mmmm, that sounds perfect,” I responded with a grin of my own.
The server came and got our drink orders, and as he walked away, I wondered if I should bring up the fact that no one ordered alcohol.
On one hand, I thought it was terribly sweet that they were looking out for me by ordering sodas and waters, but on the other, I knew that they would normally be having wine, or at the very least beer, and I hated to be the reason they were doing so.
I didn’t want my friends to change their habits and desires, just because I couldn’t handle mine.
My stomach clenched at the thought of bringing it up and possibly ruining what was a really great evening, but I dug deep, found my courage, and said what was on my mind.
“Um, hey, guys. I just want to say that I think you’re all wonderful and sweet, but I don’t expect you all to refrain from drinking tonight. You shouldn’t have to go without on my account, really … I’ll be fine, I swear.”
“Belle,” Luke said, and I turned my attention to him. “You haven’t been out of rehab that long, and although you’re doing beautifully, why wouldn’t we show our support by refraining? It isn’t a hardship for any of us, I assure you.” I looked around the table to Ginger and Jones nodding in agreement. “It’s all still new to you, so let’s just take things slow, alright?”
He sought out my hand under the table and held it snuggly in his, and I had to wonder if he was talking about more than just drinking with his last statement.