“I agree. It’s just different coming from you. The girl I knew back in high school didn’t try new things. I believe you would say, ‘I stick with what works for me.’”
“Keyword in that statement is ‘girl.’ As you can see, I’m not a little girl anymore.”
He gave her a once over. “And bold too. Look at you speaking your mind.”
Her lips curved into a grin. “I do when I feel like it.”
“I like this new you. How’s the store?”
“The store is doing well. Building my online business so that’s taking up most of my time.”
She led them to the checkout area, where a line already formed. Seth stood behind her and she sensed his gaze on her back. She cleared her throat. Usually she would pass by Seth on the sidewalk or give a simple wave in church, but this was the first real conversation since his return home. She didn’t want the past to replay through her mind but it did. Seth had walked away, leaving her heartbroken. Like Brian.
“A little awkward, huh?” Seth pointed out.
Leah tapped her foot. “A little. I don’t mean for it to be. It’s…”
Seth maneuvered to stand at her side. He kneaded his shoulder with one hand,
while his other clutched the handle of his smaller basket. “I understand. Maybe we need to hang out. You know, break the ice a little.”
She cocked her head toward him. Was it even normal to hang out with an ex? Could she do it without rehearsing the pitfalls of their relationship? “Does this include lemon pepper wings?”
Seth waggled his eyebrows. “I’ll even throw in some buffalo wings to seal the deal.”
Leah folded her arms. “So, you still think you can bribe me with the best wings in Piedmont Valley.”
“It worked when I asked you out in high school.”
Her eyes narrowed at him. “How do you figure that?”
“I remember some things.”
She wagged a finger. “I doubt that. I bet you don’t even remember how we met.”
He drew closer. “You bumped into me on your way to biology class. I helped you pick up your books.” His expression softened. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You were the prettiest girl I had ever seen. You were smart, funny, and so sweet. I touched your hand when we picked up your books at the same time. You looked a little dazed, much like right… now.”
Leah blinked to come back to her senses. For a moment, she recalled her once strong feelings for Seth. He had been her world. “You got it right. I’m surprised.”
“I haven’t lost my touch.”
“Two right answers, but it’s nothing to throw a parade over.”
He grinned. “Does that mean you’ll meet me at PV’s Bar and Grill later?”
She crossed her arms. “On one condition.”
“Anything.”
She pointed her at him. “I call dibs on the buffalo wings.”
Seth winked at her. “I wouldn’t dream of touching them.”
Chapter 11
Leah wiped her manicured fingers clean of buffalo sauce, glancing at Seth across the table from her. She rested her hands on the table, still in disbelief. Sitting across from her was Seth, as he had in high school. Was she crazy? While grateful that he wanted to remain friends, the way his eyes gazed at her made her stomach quiver. She took a sip from her water glass, shifting in her chair. So far, they were having a pleasant conversation. They even reminisced on their teen years at Piedmont High.
“Leah? You okay?” Seth cocked his head toward her.