Page 3 of Finding Hayes
I pulled the door open, and the place was quiet, aside from Ruby, who was standing behind the bar, which was not the norm, as she didn’t work here anymore. Her father owned the place, so maybe she was filling in for someone tonight. But my gaze landed on the woman she was speaking to, sitting across from her, head back in a fit of laughter.
Savannah Abbott had the best laugh.
Always had.
She was the one person who could bring it out of me because she was funny as hell. At least, she used to be. She also used to be a scrawny little thing, with her hair tied back in a ponytail. But today, long caramel-brown waves ran down her back, and she didn’t look like the sixteen-year-old teenager who’d left town in a hurry.
Who’d left me.
She wore a pair of faded jeans and a black turtleneck sweater, and the foot of her cowboy boots rested at the base of the barstool.
“Looky here,” Ruby said, when she turned to see me walking in. “I figured you’d head home after your long shift.”
“I didn’t expect to see you here either,” I said.
“Dad’s got the stomach bug, so I’m covering for him tonight. What’s your story?” She arched a brow.
“I guess I was craving a burger,” I lied. I’d come to see if Savannah was here, but instead, I feigned surprise when my gaze met her honey-brown eyes. “Hey, Sav.”
“Long time, no see, Hayes.”
“That’s a fucking understatement,” I said, my words coming out harsher than I’d meant them to.
“I’m sure you survived just fine.” She shrugged, reaching for her wineglass and taking a sip.
“Let me get that burger going for you.” Ruby set a beer in front of me and disappeared into the kitchen, and I dropped onto the stool beside Savannah.
Damn, she was pretty. Always had been, but she looked different now.
She was gorgeous and sexy and all grown up.
But I’d be cautious where this woman was concerned. She was probably going to be gone as quickly as she came.
“I’m guessing you’re here for Abe’s funeral?” I asked, as her gaze moved along every inch of my face, making no effort to hide it.
“Yep,” she said, letting out a long breath. “You look good.”
“You need to get out more, then. I just got off a three-day shift, and I feel like shit.”
“Always the optimist.” She chuckled.
Damn. I’d missed her laugh.
“You look good, Shortcake.”
I was surprised at how easily her nickname rolled off my tongue.
Like no time had passed at all.
two
. . .
Savannah
Hot damn.Forgetting about Hayes while I’d been away was a lot easier than seeing him after all these years. He was even sexier than I’d remembered.
Hayes Woodson, aka my best friend from as early as I could remember. We’d been neighbors, classmates, pals, buds, besties, and all that good stuff.
