I followed Alan into the tiny restaurant. He led the way spotting Austin sitting at a booth tucked away in the corner. I sucked in a breath looking at him. The last month had done him well. I could tell he was well rested and had gotten a haircut while he had been away. Seeing us coming, he stood and placed a wide smile on his face. I was instantly reminded why I fell in love with him in the first place. He and Alan exchanged hugs and hellos. Alan slid into the booth and Austin pulled me into him. Drowning in the familiar smell of his cologne and the feeling of being wrapped up in his arms again, it seemed like everything around us had ceased to exist for just a moment. He pulled away, placing a kiss on my cheek and sat back down. I slid in next to Alan and smiled up at Austin.

“Dude! How was Costa Rica?!” Alan asked excitedly.

“It was great!” Austin said reluctantly pulling his gaze from mine. “I surfed, cleared my head, wrote some material, spent time with my pops…I’m stoked to show you guys what I got done.”

Alan nodded his head before excitedly changing the subject and rambling on about stuff that had happened. Austin kept stealing glances at me across the table that were making me feel light headed.

We ordered our food and as the waitress walked away, Austin leaned back in the booth crossing his arms over his chest and asked, “Where’d you move to Rae?”

“I found a little place in Laguna Beach.” I said perking up. “I have a great roommate and she’s helped me meet people. It’s been awesome.”

“That’s amazing…” He said softly. I had watched his eyes grow sad as I had mentioned meeting new people. I knew he was thinking of my recent Instagram pictures. They had been completely innocent, but I knew that they probably did look suspicious.

“I really missed you.” I blurted out and his eyes lit up again.

“I missed you too.” He said letting a smile come across his face.

“What about me guys?” Alan asked in mock offence.

Austin laughed a little with a shake of his head. “I just got a place in Huntington Beach.”

“Well, you’ll have to come see mine and I’ll have to come see yours.” I said with a wink causing him to smirk.

The three of us enjoyed lunch together, catching up. Alan told us more about his new girlfriend Maddie. Austin and I both begged to meet her to which Alan responded we should double date.
Austin suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. I asked Austin more about his house and Aspire & Create and he lit up again giving us every little detail. I told the guys about my new job at a local coffee shop and how great it had been so far. I also talked about how I was playing at an open mic show soon and they just had to come.

We soon left the restaurant with full bellies and smiles on our faces. It was like we had never even been apart the last few weeks. The awkwardness between Austin and I had melted and we were back to goofing off and causing the other to laugh.

“Rae, come to my car quick before you go.” He said walking backwards towards his new car. I followed with a laugh wondering what he could have been up to. He opened the trunk revealing all kinds of merch from his clothing line. “Take what you want.” He said with a smile.

“Austin, I can’t do that…”

“Why not! I’m offering first of all, and second this is stuff from the new line you can’t get it anywhere else yet.” He explained with a proud smirk.

Rolling my eyes I dug through and found a few t-shirts I liked.

“Oh wait!” He said excitedly digging through the trunk again and pulling out a rubber bracelet. “From me…to you.”

“Thank you.” I said with a smile. I leaned up on my tippy toes and kissed him on the cheek.

“Text me?” He asked.

“Of course.” I said with a smile.

I turned on my heel and headed for Alan’s car. I gave Austin one last smile and wave over my shoulder before getting into the passenger’s side and driving off.