Chasing Forever (The Forever Series #1)(55)

As he approached the hostess stand, Olivia threaded her arm through his. Was she always like that and he failed to notice until now? This night couldn’t end soon enough for him. Maybe he’d call Regan when he finished dinner and they could meet up. She worked on Thursday nights, but he didn’t mind waiting for her to finish.

“Do you have a reservation?” the hostess asked, interrupting his thoughts.

“Yes. It’s under Evanston. We’re early.”

“You’re in luck. We had a cancellation. Follow me.”

The hostess sat them at a small two-top in the corner of the restaurant. It was a little too close to the kitchen for his taste, but he refused to prolong the evening by asking for a different table.

“Your server will be with you shortly,” the hostess said as she placed menus on the table.

Lucas opened his menu. He needed to have a serious talk about their friendship, but he didn’t know where to start.

“Fourth of July is right around the corner,” Olivia said, placing her hand on top of his.

He looked up, smiled, and put his hand in his lap. “It is.”

“I thought we could drive to your parent’s house together. It’d be nice to have a couple hours alone before all the chaos of the holiday starts.”

Frowning, he leaned back in his chair. Fuck. He had completely forgotten about the weekend at his parents’ house with Olivia’s family. “I don’t think I’m going this year.”

“What do you mean? You’ve never missed it before. Well, not since the summer after we graduated from college.” She lowered her eyes as she fidgeted with the napkin in her lap. “Are you mad at me? Did I do something? Because you’ve been distant all evening.”

“Liv, I’m not mad. It’s—”

She looked up at him and he saw the tears simmering in the corners of her eyes. She dabbed her face with her napkin. “Lucas, I feel like you’re pulling away from me again, and I’ve waited for so long and I just thought that we could try things between us again. We’re older now. I think we’d be good for each other.”

He grabbed her hand. When she looked small and vulnerable like this, she reminded him of the Olivia from their childhood before she became cold, selfish, and manipulative. He protected her when they were kids because she was shy and she’d always seemed so fragile to him. Their families had spent so much time together, it was natural, but it couldn’t happen anymore. Life had changed them both, and he didn’t want to hurt her, but he couldn’t have her around him anymore. She was toxic.

“Liv, we tried that in college. It didn’t work then, and it won’t work now.”

She squeezed his hand. “We’re perfect for each other, and our parents would be so happy. If you give us a chance, you’d see.”

***

“Regan, table number five is yours,” Parker called to her as she walked backwards out of the kitchen. Parker had been really nice all night, and she already felt a million times better knowing he didn’t hate her.

Regan pointed at him. “You owe me.” Then she heard a familiar voice. Lucas. She didn’t remember telling him where she worked.

A smile crossed her face. She’d happily wait on table number five if it meant spending time with Lucas. After brunch this afternoon, she hadn’t seen him before she left the office. Maybe he’d stay until her shift ended and they could do something together. She turned around, pushing her hair behind her ear and came face to face with Olivia Reynolds. Regan looked across the table at Lucas, then at their interlocked hands on top of the table.

And in spite of everything she’d promised herself over the last six years, her face fell in disappointment. Lucas put his hand in his lap, but other than that, he looked completely at ease, his face totally unreadable. Asshole. She realized this was probably the gotcha moment she’d been afraid of since allowing Lucas to slither his way back into her life.

“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked quietly.

Olivia smiled at Lucas adoringly, and for a second she thought she would be sick. “Regan, is that you?” Olivia asked. “I didn’t ever think I’d see you again.”

No. I bet you didn’t. “Yes.”

“So you’re a waitress now?” Olivia asked in her sugary sweet I’m-so-much-better-than-you voice.

“Not really. I’m in law school and I waitress on Thursdays.”

“Oh.” Olivia shifted in her chair. “Lucas is an attorney. He works at Martin and Black. I’m sure you’ve heard of that firm.”

Regan turned to look at Lucas, and her vision narrowed on him. She took in a deep breath feeling like she couldn’t get enough oxygen in her lungs. What the f*ck was wrong with him? Was he really going to do this to her again? He hadn’t said a single word. Her heart started racing. There was no way she’d play nice and serve Lucas and his precious Olivia dinner. “I have. If you’ll excuse me, I need—”

“Regan works there too,” Lucas said, studying Regan’s face. She prayed she didn’t look as nauseous as she felt because right now she had the urge to vomit on their table. Maybe she should. “She’s one of the summer associates. I heard the partners are really impressed with her work. She’s a little rough around the edges, but she’ll be a great attorney wherever she ends up.”