Never Let Me Forget (Summer of First Kisses Book 2)

by Michelle Pennington

  “Just take one bite of everything to start with though,” Tyra said. “You have a lot to try still.”

  “She looks like she can handle it,” Calvin said.

  I froze. Did he mean that the way it sounded? Was he fat-shaming me?

  “Calvin,” Dante said, his voice sweet but with a sharp edge to it I’d never heard before. “I hope you didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

  Calvin looked up in surprise, his expression resembling a nervous puppy. “What? No offense, or anything. But some of these girls who come in here just pick at good food and turn their noses up at it. I thought we finally had one who knew how to eat.”

  Tyra picked up my plate. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s go out to the dining area where we won’t be bothered. There’s a reason Calvin spends his life frying food.”

  “I’ll see you in a minute,” Dante murmured. He had a very determined look on his face as he turned to glare at Calvin.

  As I set at a little two-person table on the deck next to an open window looking out to sea, I tasted the rest of the food with Tyra taking me through it. The amberjack, Mahi, and grouper were all good, as were the shrimp and scallops. But nothing would get me to eat another fried oyster.

  “There,” Tyra said, leaning back in her sink. “Think you could remember the differences in the three fish so you can describe them to people who aren’t familiar with them.”

  “I’m pretty sure I can.”

  “Good. They’re all cut into specific shapes so we can tell them apart. The square ones are grouper, the rectangles are amberjack, and the triangle ones are Mahi.”

  I looked down at what was left of the fish on my plate, hoping I’d be able to tell the shapes apart because they all looked the same to me.

  Dante came out of the main part of the restaurant then. His jaw was tenser than usual, but when our eyes met, he smiled—though it was clear it took some effort.

  Tyra got up. “Well, sweetie, I’ll see you tomorrow. Get some of that menu memorized and I’ll show you the shorthand for when you make up tickets.”

  “Thanks.”

  Dante sat down, watching me the whole time.

  “She’s nice,” I said.

  “Tyra? Yeah. I like her.”

  I nodded.

  “Look, I’m sorry about Calvin. Seriously though, he’s just an idiot. But not a mean one. He didn’t realize he was being offensive. Don’t let it get to you.”

  “Okay.”

  He sighed. “But you will anyway, huh?”

  “I can’t help it.”

  “Does it help that he was genuinely confused why a girl with such a great rack would be self-conscious about the way she looks?” I could almost hear the air quotes in his voice.

  “Did he say that?”

  A muscle in his jaw jumped as he ground his teeth together. “Yes.” A long pause fell between us. I stirred my drink with my straw and he scratched a fleck of the tabletop. “This didn’t scare you off working here, did it?”

  I thought it all over and shook my head. “No. I’ll be here tomorrow.”

  “Good. I have a bet to win.”

  Chapter Six

  When I got home, my mom was curled up on the couch in her pajamas watching some romance series on Netflix while London lay on her feet, sound asleep. “Hey,” she said. “Where have you been?”

  This was going to be the tricky part. “Getting a job.”

  She sat up, looking both surprised and worried. “A job? But what about Madison? Sadie, you promised—”

  “It’s okay, Mom. I’m only going to work at night.”

  She relaxed then. “Oh. Well, that’s okay then. Doing what?”

  I held out the three tropical print button-up shirts I’d gotten to wear as a uniform with denim shorts. The restaurant’s logo was embroidered on the pocket. “Waitressing at The Captain’s Kitchen.”

  “Wow. That’s great. What started all this.”

  I chuckled. Mom knew me well. Give me a math problem to solve or a classic piece of literature to read and analyze, and I was all over it. Ask me to do something outside my comfort zone and it was a hard nope. “Dante talked me into it. He works there, and he says the tips are great. I figured that I could use some cash when I leave for school in August. My scholarship and grants will cover all my tuition and living expenses, but I’d like to have money laid away just in case.”

  Mom dropped her phone on the couch beside her and stood up to hug me. London yowled at being disturbed and jumped off the couch to go seek a better place to sleep. “I’m so proud of you. And, seriously, thank you for taking a night shift so your aunt doesn’t have to worry about what to do with Madison.”

  I pulled back, feeling a little guilty that I wasn’t telling her the whole story—that I was mostly doing this because Dante thought it would help me to meet guys, but I’d already spilled my guts to Dad and he had probably filled her in. They were like that—totally open with each other, especially when it came to us kids. And even after twenty-five years and raising three kids, they were just as in love with each other as ever. Which was exactly what I wanted to find someday.

  Dad didn’t seem to mind at all that my mom was a plus-size woman.

  “Honey, is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m just kind of depressed because someone made a comment about me being fat.”

  “I’m sorry! But don’t listen to them. You aren’t fat at all.”

  “I’m bigger than I want to be.”

  “Well, I’m there too. But it doesn’t mean you aren’t beautiful and it certainly doesn’t lessen how incredible you are as a person.”

  I dropped down onto the love seat, kicked my shoes off, and curled my feet under me. “I know. I know. But that doesn’t make it easier when guys don’t want anything to do with me.” She started to say something, so I held up my hand to stop her. “And yes, I don’t want any guy who can’t love me for who I am.”

  She chuckled softly. “At least you’re listening to me. Just trust me, baby. You’ll be loved and adored as much as you’ve ever wanted to be. Someday. Just be patient.”

  “No, I’m going to do something about it.”

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. Put myself out there a little more.”

  I let my head drop back on the couch. Coping with all of these changes and emotions seemed like way more than I could handle right then.

  Usually when I felt like this, I just grabbed a new book and read. Though, that wasn’t going to get me anywhere nearer to what I wanted.

  “Mom? Mind if I go over to Pipers for a while?”

  “You’re an adult, sweetie. Do what you want—as long as it’s safe and legal.”

  “No promises.” I dragged myself out of the comfy embrace of the love seat.

  When I got to my room, I sent Piper a text.

  Me: There have been developments on the kissing front. Can I come over!

  Piper: Heck, yeah. Get your butt over here!

  Since my clothes smelled like fried food, I changed into some leggings and a long t-shirt, put my hair up in a messy bun, and headed over to her house. When I got there, I was surprised to see both Katriel’s and Tate’s truck at the house. Since Tate had moved into his own apartment, I would have expected them to hang out there.

  When I rang the doorbell, Kat opened the door. “Hey, girl! Piper told me you had kissing news.”

  Of course she had. “No kissing yet. I just meant that I’ve done somethings to get things going.”

  When we walked into their open concept living room/kitchen/dining room, I saw Piper at the table eating ice cream and Tate over at the kitchen sink loading dishes. “Are you guys having a big family dinner or something?”

  “No,” Tate said, looking up from his work. “I just don’t want to hang out with my annoying roommate.”

  Kat sat down and pulled another bowl of ice cream closer to her. “That and he didn’t have any groceries.”

  “I haven’t had time,�
�� he said.

  “He does have time,” Kat said. She grinned at him. “I just distract him all the time. But tonight, we’re going to the grocery store together so he doesn’t have any more excuses. But I wanted to wait and hear what you’ve got going on.”

  I sat down across the table from them. “Of course you did. I hope you aren’t too disappointed. It’s not that juicy.”

  But after I’d told them all about my day at the beach with Dante and Madison and every last detail—because Kat and Piper demanded it—about what had happened at the restaurant, I realized that if our positions were reversed, I would definitely think it was juicy.

  But after asking a million questions, neither of them said anything after I’d finished. They just stared at me.

  “Well?”

  Piper shrugged. “I’m trying to process all of this.”

  “Holy crap,” Kat said, turning to Piper. “Do you think Dante has a crush on her?

  I made a humphing sound. “I think he was flirting with me for a while at the beach, but I also know that doesn’t mean much when it comes to him.”

  “Okay, but how do you feel about him?” Kat asked.

  “I don’t know. I admit I feel some…attraction. But there’s no way I can let myself feel anything for him. I mean, he’s like a freaking butterfly when it comes to women.”

  “Tate used to be too,” Kat said, looking over at her boyfriend. He looked up and shrugged.

  “Yeah, but he always had feelings for you. I don’t think Dante lets himself feel anything too serious, you know?”

  Piper stirred her melted ice cream. “Yeah, but I think he does care about somethings and just hides it behind all his charm and charisma. Which is why I don’t think he’d be a good beginner-level boyfriend if you know what I mean.”

  I did know what she meant. Dante would be risky and complex. And that was assuming he was even interested in me. “He’s a bit intense, huh?”

  Kat reached out and put her hand on my arm. “But don’t let that stop you if you like him. I mean, you like intense. Look at all those books you read.” She looked around, her brows scrunching in surprise. “Speaking of which, do you even have a book with you?”

  “No.”

  “Uh, that’s pretty crazy for you, right?”

  I covered my face with my hands to hide my blush. “Oh my gosh. I hate this.” Taking a deep breath, I lowered my hands and whispered, “I can’t seem to read them without thinking about him.”

  “Dante reminds you of a werewolf?” Tate asked, his face completely devoid of expression. But his tone betrayed his amusement.

  Sighing, I closed my eyes, hating my juvenile imagination. Or a vampire. Or a demon slayer. Or what-have-you. But that’s not even the worst problem.”

  “It’s cuz he’s your friend, huh?” Kat asked, her voice rich with sympathy. “You’re scared of what might happen to that relationship if things go wrong.”

  I realized that she knew because she’d had the same issue when she and Tate were getting together. “Yeah. We’ve been such a tight group. I don’t want to mess things up with something messy like this.”

  Tate laughed as he scooped himself a bowl of ice cream. “Well, if you don’t, someone else will.”

  “What are you talking about?” Piper asked.

  He looked between the three of us. “You guys really don’t know?”

  We looked at each other, confused, then shook our heads.

  “Um, there are a lot more…” he waved his finger back and forth in a line as he tried to find the right word. “Connections? Crushes?”

  Piper’s expression tensed. “Shut up, Tate. What do you know?”

  My eyes flew back to his. There was definitely something going on here, but what?

  Tate looked at this sister for several seconds, their eyes meeting in silent communication, then he said, “Please don’t tell me that none of you have missed the fact that Liv is hardly ever around anymore for your little girl parties.”

  “She’s got a job,” Kat said.

  Tate grinned. “She’s also hanging out with Cooper all the time.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?”

  Piper narrowed her eyes. “Wait, how do you even know that?”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “Guys talk too, you know. Then there’s the new girl—definitely some interest there. Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I’m going to go eat my ice cream and watch baseball. Come get me when you’re ready to go, Kat.”

  Then he walked out like he hadn’t just dropped a major bomb on all of us. “Are Liv and Cooper dating?” I asked.

  “No way,” Piper said, brushing it aside. “You know Liv hangs out with the boys more than we do because she likes sports so much. But her and Cooper? No way. I mean, they’re like brother and sister.”

  “Ewww, Piper!” Kat wrinkled up her nose. “Now if they do like each other, it’s going to seem weird.”

  Piper got up and took her bowl to the sink. “Besides, the guys are all in love with Brittany.”

  Her words sent a shock wave of hurt to my chest. It was exactly what I’d been thinking. Dante was the one who knew Brittany best and spent the most time with her. He’d brought her to the beach one day a few weeks ago when we’d all gone to hang out as usual on Sunday, and it had been funny how fast they guys had all fixated on her. Which was exactly why I shouldn’t let my imagination run away with me.

  Sure, Dante had probably been flirting with me. And admittedly, it was kind of nice. That didn’t mean I should let it affect my feelings for him. Besides, how stupid was it to like someone just because you thought they might like you? No there had to be real reasons. Like how much fun they were to hang out with. Or how they seemed to genuinely care about your feelings. Or how they got angry when someone hurt your feelings.

  Argh!

  “Sadie?” Piper snapped her finger in front of my face, breaking me out of the internal sinkhole I’d fallen into.

  “What?”

  “What? I only said your name five times.”

  “Sorry.”

  “So what are you going to do about Dante?” she asked.

  “Nothing. I’m going to go to work tomorrow and see if he’s right about guys giving me their numbers. And if they do, well, I might just call a few of them.”

  Chapter Seven

  Waitressing is not easy.

  I’m a smart girl. Valedictorian, and according to Columbia University, worthy of a full-ride scholarship. So why was it so hard for me to remember which entrees came with one side and which ones came with two, or what everyone with dark-colored soda was drinking, or the shorthand Tyra tried to teach me? I gave up on that and just wrote everything out till I learned it because as I quickly learned, the worst thing I could do was get somebody’s order wrong.

  Or maybe accidentally charge them for two appetizers instead of one.

  Or not warn them how spicy the peel and eat shrimp is—which I would have if I’d known.

  Or take too long to refill their drinks because we got a rush and they gave me three tables at once even though I wasn’t supposed to be working alone till next week.

  By the time I finally got to take a break, I was pretty sure Mack was going to fire me. How embarrassing would that be? To be fired the first day on the job when there were girls I knew from school who struggled to gets c’s buzzing around like pros?

  Even worse was the realization that I was apparently a snob about my intelligence. Nothing like being made to feel like a clumsy idiot to set you questioning everything about yourself.

  Tyra had handed me a brimming glass of cold coke and sent me out onto a private, screened deck for my break. “Just relax and get off your feet,” she said. “You’re doing fine.”

  It was nice of her to say anyway.

  As I stood leaning on the deck rail, staring out at the sun setting over the ocean, I heard the door creak open behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Dante coming up behind me. He’d been stationed on the ot
her end of the restaurant and we’d been so busy that I hadn’t seen him much.

  “How are you doing?”

  I groaned and shook my head. “I suck at this—truly suck.”

  He laughed. “Yeah. I heard you weren’t exactly a natural.”

  That stung. “You know, you suck at making me feel better.”

  “Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out. And next week, once you’ve got your feet under you, I’ll see if I can get you working some tables near the bar where all guys hang out and we can get going on this experiment of ours.”

  “Great. That’s just what I need. Drunk guys.”

  He grinned. “Yeah. The drunker they are, the hotter they’ll think you are.”

  I punched him in the shoulder, though not as hard as he deserved. Before I could answer him though, another guy came out and joined us on the deck. It was the good-looking blond guy who worked the bar. He had long blond hair that flopped in his eyes and dimples in both cheeks.

  “Hey, it’s the new girl.”

  “Her name’s Sadie.”

  I looked up at Dante as he spoke, surprised at the coolness in his voice. Curious about his change in demeanor, I looked between the two of them. But Dante sat down on the bench that ran around the perimeter of the deck and got on his phone.

  The bartender came over and leaned against the rail next to me. “I’m Jeremy. If you ever need anything, just let me know. And I can always give you a little something to get you through a long shift.”

  “She’s only eighteen, man,” Dante said, not looking up from his phone.

  Jeremy’s eyes swept over me, lingering on my chest in an obvious way. I wasn’t sure what I thought about that, but it was clear what he was thinking from the way his eyebrows lifted. “No way. I’d never have guessed it.”

  “Lay off her, Jeremy.”

  Jeremy glanced over at Dante. “Are you two together or something?”

  “No. But she’s my friend and you’re the last person I’d want to see her tangled up with.”

  “Well, Lori will be happy to hear that,” Jeremy said. “And why don’t you let Sadie make up her mind about who she wants to get tangled up with.” The last few words came out almost in a purr that sent my eyebrows sky-high.