In a Quiet Town by Amber Garza

Author:Amber Garza
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2023-05-16T19:17:22+00:00

26

THE DAUGHTER

Past

“Right this way, miss.” The hostess, a young woman probably the same age as me, guided us to our table. It was our two-month anniversary and Seth insisted on celebrating it. I’d never had a boyfriend who celebrated monthly milestones, and it was kind of nice. He’d driven me out to Jenner, and we were trying what was touted as the best steakhouse in the area. In the past few weeks we’d hit up a lot of restaurants in the neighboring towns, both of us bored of dating at our respective homes, but still trying to maintain our privacy. I was losing my grip a little on why, though. Sure, I liked having Seth all to myself, and it was fun being in our little bubble. At least, at first. But it was beginning to lose its luster. Mostly, it felt like a lot of work.

“Ooh, pretty necklace,” the hostess said once we were seated.

I reached up, fingered the butterfly. “Thank you.”

“You didn’t tell her it was from me,” Seth snapped sharply from across the table once she was out of earshot. Candlelight flickered eerily over his face.

“Sorry.” I dropped my hand. “Habit, I guess.”

“You never tell people it’s from me?” Even in the dimly lit restaurant I could see his skin was reddening.

“Are you for real right now? I thought we agreed to keep this on the DL?”

“So even with customers, you don’t tell them you have a boyfriend?”

“How would that work, exactly?” My hands shook with irritation. I held them down in my lap, nervously fidgeting with them. “If I told my customers, my coworkers would hear. Is that what you want?” Was he tired of keeping this secret, too?

“I don’t—”

“Hello, folks. My name is Jonathon and I’ll be your server today.” A young man in a crisp white collared shirt and black pants appeared at our table. “Can I get you started with some drinks?”

“Um...” I glanced down at the craft beer list in front of me. “Hmm... Moonraker, that’s a great one. Oh, wow, your hazy on tap is good as well.”

“Sounds like you know a lot about craft beer.”

I smile and shake my shoulders. “Well, I am in the biz.”

“Really? You work at a brewery or...”

A clatter rang out, a sudden jolt startling me. When I glanced up, Seth was storming out of the restaurant, the front door slamming behind him. Heat rushed to my cheeks.

“I’m... I’m s-s-so sorry. I don’t know...” I pressed my lips together, drawing in a quick breath. Then I pushed my wobbly lips up into a smile. “I’ll be right back.” I unhooked my purse from the back of the chair, and with it dangling from my fingers, I hurried after Seth.

The spring air was cool tonight, and it shivered over my bare arms.

Seth stood by the car, lips downturned, eyes narrowed.

“What was that?” I hugged myself. The wind kicked up, tossing my hair from my shoulders.

“You were flirting with him,” he spat.

“What?” I recoiled. “No, I wasn’t. I was just making small talk.

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