What's Left of Me by Kristen Granata

Author:Kristen Granata
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-15T16:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

Cole

I haven’t seen Callie since we sat by the pool last week.

Yet the saying out of sight, out of mind hasn’t proven to be true.

I half-expected her to return to Paul, to crawl back into the comfort of her familiar patterns, but she hasn’t.

Josie filled me in on what happened when Callie packed some of her belongings from her home. All the things she said to Paul, how she didn’t give in and let him weasel his way back into her life with empty promises and flat-out lies.

Courageous Callie.

My heart soars with pride. I’m not even going to attempt to analyze why.

So, when a flash of blond goes past the large window at Gertie’s, my head snaps around, and my heart skips a beat. My feet carry me outside before my brain even realizes what I’m doing.

“Callie!”

She spins around, and a smile blooms on her face when she spots me. “Hey, Cole. What are you doing here?”

I nod my head in the direction of the diner. “Grabbing lunch. What about you? This is far from home.”

She points toward a building behind me. “Just came from a job interview.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Really? How did it go?”

She shrugs. “Everyone keeps telling me I don’t have experience for the jobs I’m applying for. Don’t know how to gain experience if nobody hires me.”

“Ah. That’s the worst part of job hunting. I’m sorry.”

She waves her hand. “It’s fine.”

I know her eyes underneath those sunglasses would tell me otherwise.

“Are you busy now?” I ask. “Feel like joining me for lunch?”

She adjusts the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“Not at all. Come on.”

Billy’s brown eyes almost pop out of his head when Callie takes the red stool beside me.

“Callie, this is Billy. We work together at the construction site.”

She leans over and clasps her hand in his outstretched one. “It’s nice to meet you, Billy.”

“Likewise.”

His eyes rove over her as she shakes off her blazer, revealing a silky royal-blue tank. Can’t blame him for staring, because her creamy skin captures my attention as well. It’s the most skin I’ve seen her expose.

I suppose this is how she normally dresses when she doesn’t have any bruises to hide.

“What’s good here?” She pushes her sunglasses up onto her head while she flips through the menu.

“Everything, sugar.” Gertie smiles wide as she presses her hands onto the counter. “Then again, I’m biased. I own the joint.”

“Then I’ll let you surprise me.” Callie flips her menu closed. “I’m not picky.”

Gertie looks between the two of us before her gaze settles back on Callie. “I’m Gertrude, though everyone here calls me Gertie.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gertie. I’m Callie. I’m a friend of Cole’s.”

“Friend?” Billy blurts out. “Cole’s got friends?”

I flip him off.

Callie laughs. “I’m the only one, I think.”

“Can’t imagine why.” Billy claps me on the back. “He’s so charming and friendly. Always has a smile on his face.”

“All right, all right.” I point at Callie. “You’re not invited to lunch anymore.”

She grins and nudges me with her shoulder.

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