He’d thought wrong.
So maybe Adam was right and it was finally time to do something to get over her.
Something drastic.
Chapter Three
Every single time the bell over the restaurant’s door chimed, Katy jumped out of her skin, half expecting to see Trent sauntering into the Seafarer, and half hoping he wouldn’t. She’d been home only two days now and the town was abuzz with her return, abuzz with the return of all those who’d come back for the reunion , in fact. But a lot of attention had been directed at her, and the notable fact that both she and Trent were still single.
She turned in time to see Doctor Danica Kent, Braydon Mitchell and his granddad Byron walk in and felt equal measures of relief and disappointment. Her folks had told her Trent and the rest of the boys from station 415 always gathered at the restaurant on Friday, and as of yet, every other member of his team had come except him.
Seemed Trent wasn’t so keen on seeing her. Not that she could blame him. After all, hadn’t she gone out of her way to avoid him for the last ten years? But she was in town for eight weeks and sooner or later they were bound to come face-to-face. A nervous sensation grew in her belly just thinking about it.
Katy grabbed her notepad and stuffed it into her apron, then smoothed down the skirt on her bright pink, fifties-style uniform. She couldn’t believe her parents had kept her old uniform for all these years, or that she actually still fit into it. Although she had to admit that her hips were a little wider, her breasts a little fuller and she filled the uniform out in ways she never could as a teen. It felt a little sexy, a little daring, a step away from her usual professional television attire, and she kind of liked it.
Katy crossed the wide expanse of floor as even more people came through the main door and sat themselves in mismatched captains’ chairs and boat benches turned into seats. To one corner, a large gathering of tourists were laughing loudly and tossing their shells into the recessed holes in the middle of the table while taking bets on who had the best shots. A few children sat to one end and were using crayons to draw on the draping sheet of white paper that doubled as a tablecloth. As she took in the crowd, a few more people she recognized from high school found their way inside. The sight of her old classmates had her thinking of Andie Adair, her long-lost best friend. Katy somehow doubted Andie would be back for the reunion . Andie and Katy had been tight, but Andie had pulled away from everyone and everything after her folks had died.
Katy wiped the frown from her face when she reached Braydon’s table. She nudged him with her hip, and with a huge smile on his handsome face, he jumped up to greet her. They hugged and exchanged a few pleasantries as well as a few teasing jibes before she took their order. Just as she was about to leave, she thought about how good Danica looked and turned back to ask where she had her hair done, thinking her own could use a new style. However, the television station didn’t like for her to do anything too drastic without their permission. Thinking of the station soured her smile and reminded her that she still had a huge decision to make. But it was a decision she couldn’t make until she faced Trent.
Not wanting to dwell on it right now, she went to work on filling orders.
“Katy, order up,” her mother, Annette Wilson, called from the kitchen.
Katy hurried to the back room, and when her mom with her pretty silver hair cut to frame her oval face gave her a warm smile, her bright blue eyes glistening in delight, Katy’s heart turned over. It was clear how happy her mother was, having all three of the Wilsons back working together in the kitchen, just like old times.
Katy wanted to ask about business, but she also remembered her promise, so instead she decided to ease into the conversation naturally. “Mom, the place is packed and you’re run off your feet.” Despite that, Katy thought her mother looked fit and completely happy to be hustling about. Actually, she seemed to thrive on it today as much as she had when Katy was younger. “Maybe you should hire extra help,” she suggested, giving her mother an opening to talk about her finances.
Her dad, Pete, left the grill, and came up behind her mother. His gray hair might be thinning, and his eyes might have more lines framing the edges, but he was still just as strong and robust as ever. He patted his wife on the backside and winked. “Cooking keeps her young. Just look at her, she’s as beautiful today as the day I met her.”
Her mom went up on her toes and gave him a kiss. Katy rolled her eyes as she watched them, but deep down she knew she wanted the same thing. A loving marriage with a guy who, after thirty years, still looked at her with love in his eyes. “Do you two ever stop?”