It didn’t stop her from feeling his eyes burning into her back as she and Zoe walked to the other end of the diner and sat down in an empty booth.
“They’re nice,” Zoe said, smiling for the first time since Van had gotten home. “Maybe we should go to Chairs on Friday.”
Van could still feel her skin tingling from seeing Tanner. “Maybe,” she said, squeezing Zoe’s shoulder. “We’ll see.”
“Are you eating those fries or just playing with them?” Becca asked.
Tanner looked up from his plate, blinking as Becca’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. Since he’d seen Van Butler he’d been stuck in them. Maybe it was the way she’d felt so familiar yet distant. Like a wisp of dust in the air that he couldn’t grasp ahold of. Or the way she looked even better than he’d remembered, with her wide blue eyes and full lips, and that golden hair that seemed to light up the room.
“Tanner?”
He shook his head. “I’m not hungry.” His eyes slid over to where Van and her sister were sitting by the window. The evening light was shining in, making her skin look warm and soft. Zoe was saying something to her, gesticulating wildly, then her spoon flew out of her hand, banging onto the tile floor.
Van chuckled, and it did something to him. What the heck was wrong with him? She was history. He’d made sure of that. Yet his body responded every time he looked over at her.
“You might want to take a picture,” Becca said. “That way you wouldn’t be so obvious.”
“Shut up.” He pushed his plate over. “Here, have my fries.”
Becca grinned and forked them up. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Cora Jean walked over to Van’s table, carrying a white plastic box. Van smiled at her, then said something that looked like she was asking for the check.
She was going to leave in a few minutes. Maybe that was for the best. Because right now his damn heart was clattering against his ribcage.
A minute later, Cora Jean brought over a silver tray with a printed receipt on it. Van laid some bills on top and nodded over at Zoe, who was grabbing her jacket to leave.
Before he could even think it through, Tanner was on his feet, walking over to the table by the window. Van looked up at him, her brows creasing as if in surprise.
“Can I have a quick word?” he asked.
She ran her tongue over her bottom lip, sliding her eyes to Zoe. “Um yeah.” She smiled at her sister. “Zoe, can you wait for me in the car?” She threw her keys, and Zoe caught them easily, looking at Tanner with interest before leaving the table.
Then it was the two of them, and he was already regretting coming over here, because he had no idea what to say to her.
Sorry I broke your heart didn’t really cut it.
“What can I do for you?” she asked, smiling in that old familiar way. Up close, he could see the lines that crinkled next to her eyes. They did nothing but add to her attractiveness.
“I was just wondering if you’re planning on staying in town for a while,” he said, his voice low.
“Um, yeah. For a bit. Why?” She was still smiling. God, he wanted to smile. Wanted to grab her hand and pull her out of there. Run around town with her the way they used to.
“Because I don’t want things to be awkward between us if we bump into each other in the street.”
The smile on her lips slowly faded. “Why would it be awkward?”
Because I broke you. Us. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking down at her. “No reason. I just wanted to check if we’re okay.”
Her eyes caught his. “We’re okay.”
His smile took him by surprise. “That’s good,” he said, his voice gruff. “I’m glad.”
She stood, grabbing her purse in one hand, the plastic box in the other. “I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, you will.” He caught her eye again. “You’re looking good, Butler.”
She blinked. For just a moment, her poise seemed to disappear. She was Van again, the kid who used to run around town with him, driving people crazy.