Page 24 of My Heart Still Beats
“I’m not a fan of sauerkraut.”
He peeks over the top of his menu. “What kind of food do you like?”
“Normally I eat most anything. But lately I’ve been living on bacon and ice cream.”
He laughs then, and it’s a joyful sound. It’s not forced, and it’s perfect. I made him laugh. Granted, I didn’t mean to, but I’m glad I did.
And I’m glad that I’m glad. Which is strange, but why fight it? It’s okay to feel glad. It’s a good thing.
“It’s time you had a decent meal, then,” he says.
“You’re probably right.” I glance at the offerings.
“They make a solid burger here. My favorite is the black-and-blue burger.”
“I don’t like blue cheese.”
He laughs again. “Tessa, you just told me you eat pretty much anything, but we’ve already eliminated sauerkraut and blue cheese.”
“Yeah. But not bacon or ice cream.”
“If you tell me you don’t eat oysters, you may break my heart.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m a Bostonian. I love oysters.”
I listen to the sound of my voice. Those words were more animated than I’ve sounded in months. Maybe losing my job and going out to lunch with Ben Black wasn’t such a bad thing.
Ben smiles. “I should’ve taken you to the Union Oyster House. Braden and I have a standing date there each week. Did you know it’s the oldest restaurant in Boston and even claims to be the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the United States?”
“Uh…yeah. I grew up here too, remember? I also know Daniel Webster and JFK were big fans.”
“Make fun of me if you want, but Braden and I love the place. It epitomizes the American dream. We usually sit at the bar and listen to Charlie, Tony, and the other shuckers tell stories. Once Mickey—he’s retired now—invited us behind the bar and taught us how to shuck. It’s a lot harder than they make it look.”
“Fascinating.”
I’m not trying to be rude, but I thought we were here to talk about the parties.
And now I feel bad that I was belittling his interest in oysters—which is better than feeling numb, but still, I should say something more. “I’ve never sat at the oyster bar.”
“That settles it,” Ben says. “You and I. Tonight. Union Oyster House. We have a date to sit at the oyster bar.”
You and I.
Date.
My skin tingles.
Not in a good way.
But also not in abadway.
I find myself wanting to smile, and I do. With my eyes, even though I’m not sure it reaches my lips.
Chapter Six
Ben
I want to make this woman happy.
