When Our Worlds Stand Still (Our Worlds #3)(5)

Once Dr. Wilson dismisses us, I hang around, waiting to talk to the brunette. She offers me a small smile as she passes, and I shout for her to wait.

“I’m Kennedy.”

“I’m Beatrice. My friends call me Bea,” she explains as she continues to walk to the door. “What you said in there…” The fight she isn’t aware she holds in her small frame, overshadows the fear in her eyes.

“Don’t say a word. Maybe next time you’ll find the strength to speak up. It may not take the past away, Bea, but I’m quickly learning it helps.” Without giving it a second thought, I hand my phone to her. “Give me your number. Maybe we can hang out sometime.”

“Why are you smiling?” Alex asks, her eyes glued to the two of them.

“Sometimes life works in weird ways, you know? Things really do come full circle,” I answer, turning my attention to Mark and Bea.

Alex bumps her hip into mine. She nods her chin in their direction. “What’s his deal? Do I need to worry?”

My face hurts from smiling at the memories I have with Mark. “You don’t need to worry about her as long as he’s around. He’s one of the great ones.”

She watches them for a brief moment and turns back to me. “I’ll take half of her tables if you’ll take the other.”

“You’re a damn good sister,” I yell as she walks away.

“Don’t tell anyone. I’d hate to ruin my badass reputation,” she calls over her shoulder,

The remainder of the night, I run around with no way of knowing which direction I’m headed. I love busy days and nights, but adding the extra tables has given me a headache. When I catch Mark hugging Bea goodbye, I know the blistered feet and tired eyes tomorrow morning in class will be well worth it.

“Ken, I’ll call you,” Mark shouts over the crowd as an excited, smiling Bea walks over to me.

“I’m sure you will, lover boy.” I wiggle my fingers goodbye. Beckett and the rest of the guys don’t try to hide their appreciation of me when they pass. “Bye, boys.”

I empty my collected tips from my apron. Mockingly counting the bills, I wave them in front of Bea’s face. “Was he worth missing out on all this?”

“Or all this?” Alex joins in on the game.

“I don’t care if I won’t be able to eat for the next week, he was worth every lost penny,” Bea answers, plopping on the stool next to me.

I wrap my arm around her shoulder and tug her close. “He’s a good guy. You could’ve done worse, Bea. Actually, you’ve done worse.” I’m referring to the bass player in the grunge band she forced us to watch in some seedy, underground club last year.

“Robert!” the sisters say in unison.

“Kennedy, is he the Mark you told me about when we first met?” Bea reaches over the bar and fills a cup of water. David sneers in her direction, and she shrugs an apology for dirtying another glass he’ll have to wash.

“The one and only.”

Bea groans at my answer.

“What?” I clock out from the computer. “It was in high school, and it’s not like we slept together.”

“You were around him for four years, and you didn’t sleep with him?” Kate chimes in, clocking herself out as well. “You have more restraint than me.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t think about it,” I answer, giggling at how uncomfortable the topic is making Bea. Her cheeks turn a particular shade of pink. “Bea, all I did was give him a hand-job.”

Kate holds up her hand for a high-five. “Nice.” I slap my hand against hers and the three of us grin at Bea. “Nothing screams high school relationships like an old fashion hand-job.”

Bea jumps from the stool and walks backward, her hands firmly on her hips. “I hate all three of you, but I don’t have time for that right now because I have a phone date with a rather attractive guy later tonight.”

Alex winks at Kate and me. “Ask him about the high school hand-job, Bea,” she shouts to her sister.

We roll in laughter, once again at Bea’s expense, but in reality, the three of us couldn’t be happier for the smile on her face. Bea, much like myself, hasn’t been dealt the easiest hand in life. Of course, Bea is stronger than me and hits her problems head on.

I reach over the bar top, silently asking for my purse. “I’ll see you girls tomorrow.”

The cool air hits my skin when I push through the front door. With my eyes to the sky, I recall the nights back in Tennessee. Southern skies can hold you captive. I remember being hypnotized by the navy blue, cloudless heavens. I’ve debated many complicated decisions while looking into the starry skies back home, but I’ve never taken any time to slow down in the city to appreciate the sky above me.

After the short walk home, I smile at our doorman as he holds the door for me. “Thanks, Richard.”

“Amanda and Violet got home almost an hour ago,” he explains, offering a tender smile.

“Do you always know where everyone is?” I turn to our nosy protector.

“Just you girls. Violet’s father pays me good money to look after you three.” Richard tips his hat.

“Of course, he does.”

The elevator opens into our private hallway. With the key in the lock, I push open the door to find Amanda sitting at the kitchen table, her legs propped up and a textbook on her lap. I drop my purse on one of the chairs and sigh in relief to be home. With a deep breath, I smell what can only be Violet’s famous stuffed shells.