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stomach did somersaults. I wasn’t ready for this.
    “Wow, what are you doing here? You work at Marney’s again?” He placed a hand on the counter. “Aren’t you supposed to be in Boston?”
    “Plans changed.”
    “How so?” Ben was never one for mincing words.
    “I quit law school.”
    “Oh. How’d your fiancé take it?” He said the word ‘fiancé’ like it left a bad taste in his mouth.
    “We’re not getting married.”
    “Oh… I didn’t know.”
    “Yeah, I didn’t exactly spread the word. Did your dad really not tell you I was back?”
    “My Dad?”
    “I ran into him this morning. I figured he would have mentioned it, or am I wrong and you don’t work with him anymore?” Ben’s plans, aside from his music, had always been to work in his father’s marina sales and rental company and to take over one day. It was hard to pull him away from the water.
    “He didn’t mention it.” His face scrunched up the way it always did when he was thinking. “But wow, I definitely didn’t expect to see you.”
    “I’ve been getting that a lot.”
    “So since you’re working here, does that mean you plan to stay around?” I couldn’t tell what answer he wanted.
    I leaned up against the back counter. “Maybe… I really don’t know. This was kind of a last minute decision.”
    “How last minute?”
    “Meaning I walked out of class, packed up what I wanted from my apartment, and left the city.”
    “That’s… cool.” Ben put his hands in his pockets.
    “Yeah.”
    We stood in awkward silence for a while, just looking at each other. “So, can I get you something?”
    “Oh sure, the special.”
    “Okay, coming right up.” I grabbed one of the chicken salad sandwiches I had spent so much time making and wrapped it up. “So what have you been up to?” I called over my shoulder.
    “You know, work mostly—I’ve started a side business taking out fishing tours. It keeps me pretty busy. I’m still playing with the guys, though.”
    “Yeah, I heard that.” I fidgeted nervously while holding his sandwich in one hand. Making small talk with Ben wasn’t easy. There was way too much we needed to say to each other, but couldn’t.
    “We’re playing tonight at Gill’s. You should come.”
    “Oh, I don’t know, but thanks.”
    “Come on, you should. I promise we’re better than in high school.” He smiled, and I knew I was lost. It was impossible to say no to that smile.
    “All right.”
    “Yeah? Okay, cool. Maybe we can catch up after? It’s been a long time.”
    “Okay.” I filled a cup with Coke. I assumed he hadn’t changed his drink of choice.
    He looked torn for a moment. “Oh, and Mol?”
    “Yeah?” I placed his drink on the counter.
    “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry things didn’t work out for you up in Boston.”
    “Thanks. I appreciate it.”
    “See you later.”
    “Bye.”
    As soon as the door chime sounded announcing Ben’s exit, Gail came out to join me. “Now that’s the old Molly. All it took was five minutes with Ben Mathews. I think we found your solution.”
    “Ben and I had our chance years ago. It’s never going to happen.”
    “Who says? The way the two of you look at each other, there is nothing past tense about you.”
    “Come on, don’t you need me to do some clean up or something?”
    “All right, if you’re asking to clean instead of talk boys, this must be serious.”
    I laughed. It was good to be back at Marney’s.

 
    Chapter Five
    “Look at you, made up all cute.” Kelly laughed as she pulled out of my driveway.
    “Shut up, I’m not.”
    “Is that actually makeup on your face? Wow, little Molly has grown up,” Kelly mocked, taking a slow ride over to the bar.
    “I had the time.” That was partially the truth. I also wanted to add some color to my washed out face. Lack of sleep was really taking a toll on me.
    “So this has nothing to do with Ben then?” She was enjoying this way too much.
    “Not at all. Don’t even