Chapter Three

Flashback

Sitting down at the table with my mother, I take a bite of my sandwich waiting for her to start talking.

She looks at me as she takes a drink of her coffee.

"Kendra you look great. How have you been? She asks sadly.

" I've been okay," I say dryly.

We sat in awkward silence for a minute before she continues.

" I know we have our differences, me putting you in the mental felicity was wrong I know but you wouldn't stop feeling sorry for yourself. Doing drugs? You weren't the same. " she says. I look at her in annoyance. I had no memories! How was I supposed to act? I was lost

" really? You thought that was helping me? I needed my mother! You just threw me in there without a second thought. I had no memories, nothing. I needed you! " I say frustrated.

" I couldn't handle seeing you in such a state. You were uncontrollable. I couldn't get you to stay calm. It was scary." my mother says with tears in her eyes.

" so you gave up on me. I had Dani help me through it. You and I will never go back to being the way we were! I just can't " I say looking away. I hear her phone ding, as she quickly looks at her screen and slowly looks up at me.

" differences aside, I want us to be a family again. I'm getting married and I want you to be there as my family support." my mother says grabbing my hand. Was she serious?

" whos the guy?" I asked rolling my eyes mentally.

" his name Joseph, he wants to meet you before the wedding. Please Kendra I just want us to move forward" she says squeezing my hand.

Standing up I let her hand go, wiping the tears from my eyes.

" ill think about it," I say. She smiles softly at me, without saying anything else I leave the café not looking back at her.

" Kendra? you okay?" Dani asks waving her hand in my face. We were at her place doing her final plans for her wedding, I obviously zoned out. everybody seems to be getting married but me.

"yea I was just thinking about my mother," I say rolling my eyes.

" are you going to her wedding?" she asks

" I'm not sure," I say holding my head.

" when's your next doctor's appointment?" Dani asks looking at her calendar.

"it tomorrow at 9 am," I say remembering

" you want me to go with you? I can fit it in my schedule" she says

" you don't have to Dani. ill be okay" I say looking at my phone.

" what's wrong? Dani asks as I stand up grabbing my coat.

" I have to go to work," I say sighing.

" no, you can't leave. I cant choose the bridesmaid's color for the gowns." Dani says

" I'm sure whichever color you choose, it will be nice," I say kissing her cheek.

" ill call you later," I say leaving

*******

Conner Pov

Sitting at the bar I see Kendra come in. I've been coming here ever since the night I stay at her place from the blizzard. she didn't notice me as she ties her apron around her waist coming behind the bar. I was told by some coworkers that she usually worked morning shifts. okay, I was stalking her but not in a bad way. I was trying to make a move to talk to her but I always chickened out.

she makes her way further down the bar to take an old man's order. watching her I could see her smiling at the man as she gave him a beer. she looked calm, happy with her life. I sat there peaking at her as she continued talking to the man, writing his order. as she makes her way back in my direction, her back is to me and I use this as my opportunity to talk to her.

" excuses me? can I get another beer?' I say to her with her back to me. she doesn't turn around right away.

" sure. one minute sir," she says not looking at me. of course, why was it so hard for me to get her attention? why did I even want her attention? I was supposed to hate her! she places a beer in front of me looking up with a forced smile.

" here you are," she says. she looks at me and I can tell she remember me from fixing her heater.

" oh hey. Conner right?" she says smiling with her teeth this time.

" lady with the broken heater? I say acting dumb

" Kendra. can I take your order? food maybe?" she asks looking at the empty bottle of beer and the current one I was drinking. smiling to myself I shake my head no.

" no food for me, but how about dinner? you and me?" I ask feeling bold. she looks at me with shock in her eyes.

" is that a no?" I ask putting a hand over my heart pretending to be heartbroken.

" Sorry, I'm just surprised. I don't seem like I'm the type of girl you'd ask out" she says seriously.

" I make exceptions. you look like you could use some fun" I say smiling.

" I can't, but thanks for asking," she says leaving the bar. What the fuck? this girl isn't the same as what I remember about her.

flashback( 8 years ago)******

Walking into the school building I see Kendra standing at her locker getting her books. She was wearing jeans and a hoodie, with dark brown ugg boots. Walking up to her I notice her hair was styled in long braids that fell her back. I secretly had a thing for her but I couldn't let that be known. I had my sources that she liked me too.

" Hey," I say as I approach her. She looks at me and immediately smiles.

" hey, Conner' she says putting her books in her bag. I had to admit she was pretty for a black girl, and I was baffled that I of all people was attracted to her. I knew deep down that I could never tell her how I feel.

" can you come to the library with me during my free period?" I ask her, she smiles at me but I could tell by the expression she wouldn't be able to.

" I have art class," she says sadly.

" come on please?" I ask almost begging, smiling at her.

She looks at me with hesitation

" Okay," she says as I walk next to her on the way to class. I knew she gets her friends to cover for her.

I knew she had a crush on me, I liked talking to her. She wasn't like the stereotypical black girl that is portrayed in the movies. She was always in the library checking out a book, and she loved art. I noticed she wore her natural hair out mostly when she didn't have it styled in braids. I knew that once she revealed her feelings for me, that I would reject her. Guys like me don't date black girls, I had a reputation to uphold.

breaking my thought I throw a 20 dollar bill on the counter leaving the bar not bothering to look at Kendra. she would be mine, she had to be.

Kendra Pov

closing up the pub I make my way to the car in the back, walking towards my car I see a Chevy truck parked next to my Jetta. A guy steps out of his truck leaning against the hood of the truck, smiling at me, I see it's the guy Conner. what was he doing here? I thought.

" The pub is closed?" I say walking past him.

"I'm actually here to talk to you. I know you said no to dinner but what about coffee?" Conner asks as I unlock my door. turning around to face him I didn't get what this guy was really after. he couldn't be interested in me?

" why?" I ask curiously.

" to thank you for the dinner you made when I was stuck at your place. it's the least I can do" he says smiling.

" Can I have your number?" he asks handing me his phone.

after putting my number in his phone I get in my car heading home.

Losing my memory 7 years ago was the hardest thing I had been through. Sitting here in the patient waiting area, at Doctor Bernstein's office waiting for one of his nurses to call me back for my monthly checkup. Dani wanted to come with me but I really wasn't in the mood for her asking the doctor a ton of questions, worrying about my constant migraines. I get a text alert making my phone beep in my hand. A text from the guy Conner popped on my screen, smiling to myself reading his text.

Conner: coffee tomorrow at 9 am?

I take a minute before responding. trying to keep it short and simple I text...

Me: sure.

"Kendra Moore?" a nurse with brunette hair says in the doorway with a folder in her hand. Getting up I make my way towards her as she gives a short smile.

" Hello I'm nurse Kim, You can follow me to room 7," she says as we make our way. Sitting upon the patient's chair, she begins taking my vitals and blood pressure.

"How are you feeling? She asks putting my information on the computer.

" I'm feeling okay. I've been still having migraines in the morning when I wake up" I say

" how long do they last?" she asks looking concerned.

" for maybe 2 hours when I drink coffee," I say

"okay. I'll let doctor Bernstein know. See if we can scan your brain just to make sure there aren't any tumors or anything." she says typing on the computer.

" Any questions before I go get the doctor?" she asks smiling.

" No I can't think of any," I say quickly.

" Okay, the doctor will be right in," she says leaving the room.

Sitting here thinking about my coffee date with Conner, was it a date?

" Hello miss Moore, how are you feeling today?" doctor Bern says coming into the room sitting at the computer.

"I'm okay. " I say

" so still having migraines? Have you been under any stress? Getting proper rest? Lack of rest can cause your body to go into overdrive causing stress, which can be causing your migraines" doctor Bern says.

" I guess I could be making it easier". I say

" I don't think you need a scan today, are you experiencing dizziness? any nausea?" he asks sounding concerned.

" no, just the migraines when I wake up," I say

" could be stress, but I'm going prescribe for you a 600 milligram for pain.' he says typing on his computer.

"have any memories come back?" he asked sounding hopeful.

" no, not yet," I say sadly.

" well, try not to be under stress, take the pain medicine as instructed. do you have any questions?" he asks standing up grabbing my folder.

shaking my head " no, thank you doctor" I say.

" you take care," he says leaving the room.

leaving the Doctors it was 12 noon now, I know I'm going to have to tell Dani about my coffee date with Conner tomorrow morning. parking my car in front of my building I send Dani a quick text telling her to come over so we can talk.

*****

" so remember the guy who fixed my heater? Conner?" I ask Dani pouring us both a glass of wine. She looks at me with a grin trying to figure out where I was going with this conversation.

" yea what about him?" She asks sipping her wine.

" We have plans for coffee tomorrow morning," I say smiling grabbing my glass of wine.

" really? A coffee date?" She asks surprised.

" yea. He wants to thank me for letting him stay when we had that blizzard." I say smiling.

" That's nice of him." She says not sounding happy.

" what? Should I not go?" I ask feeling worried.

Dani doesn't respond right away she sips her wine.

" of course you go. It was nice of him to ask you." She says smiling.

" he was at the pub, at the bar," I say looking at my phone.

" what's his last name?" Dani ask

" I'm not sure.." I say realizing I never bothered to ask him.

" so we can stalk his social media! Dani says, as we both laugh.

Dani Pov

When Kendra told me that Conner burns asked her out for coffee I wasn't happy. I knew the moment Kendra told me a guy named Conner fixed her heat on the day of the blizzard, it had to be Conner burns. I had told him to stay away from her that night at the club, and that She doesn't have any memory of him so why is he fucking around?

I know I had to be a good friend and protect her, ever since she woke up from the coma.

After leaving Kendra's apartment it was near 10 pm and I knew my chances were slim but I had to confront Conner. Making a detour across town to the pub where Dani works, it was a Friday night so I'm sure he was here. Pulling into the parking lot, I send Shawn a quick text asking if he wanted anything before I came home. Stepping out of my Nissan, making my way inside the pub, It was crowded as usual looking around, I spot Conner sitting at the bar drinking a beer with that guy Chris.

" hey!" I say taping Conner's back. He turns around and smirks at me.

" oh hey, what's up?" Conner says smiling.

Grabbing his arm pulling him outside, I could tell he was half tipsy.

" what the fuck?!" He yells making me let his arm go.

" Listen asshole! Stay away from Kendra! Why are you taking her for coffee? She doesn't remember you! Those memories are gone." I yelling at him.

" I'm trying to be a gentleman. I have nothing vicious planned for her!" He says laughing. He was drunk.

" listen just leave her alone. She's come so far, the last thing she needs is you back in her life after how you broke her heart!" I yell at him. He looks at me with sad eyes.

" I'm trying to make up for that. I'm not going to stay away from her. I know what I did in high school was cruel, I didn't have a choice" he says sounding sad.

" you had the choice of choosing her over your dumb-ass ego! Just stay away from her after you do your stupid coffee date!" I say leaving him standing there.

Conner Pov

Dani was right, What the hell was I doing?, I shouldn't be taking her out for coffee. Donna and I were still dating, but I knew eventually I'd end things wouldn't I? Of course, I wanted to have some kind of relationship with Kendra, I know donna will be hurt but I know it's worth it,

" dude what are you doing out here? Who was that bitch? " Chris asks.

I walk back inside the pub annoyed.

"nobody," I say to myself.

I was looking forward to seeing Kendra even more now.

Kendra Pov

I was sitting in my room at my desk looking at my reflection in my mirror. Conner had texted that he would be here in a few minutes. I was so nervous considering I haven't actually been out with a guy since my ex Jonathan.

Keeping my outfit simple, dark black denim jeans and a long-sleeve gray turtle neck sweater. I bush my hair up into a top, not bun smoothing down my edges. to say I wasn't nervous would be a lie, I hear a knock at my door making my way quickly opening the door Conner standing there leaning against the wall.

" you ready to go?" he asks smiling.

" yea I'm ready," I say grabbing my wallet and keys off the table near my small coat closet. We walk in awkward silence as we make our way outside to his pickup truck. he opens the passenger door for me like a gentleman making me smile. I was nervous for sure, mainly because I wasn't sure what we would talk about. Conner plays around with his radio until he finds what sounds like a country music station,

" you like country? " he asks not taking his eyes off the road.

"it's fine," I say looking out the window. He didn't further the conversation which I didn't mind we arrive at a nearby Starbucks which personally I wouldn't choose but it was his offer so I didn't object. Making our way inside, I find a seat near the window.

" how do you like your coffee? Conner asks.

" um dark roast, cream, and sugar," I say smiling. He walks off quickly towards the front

Counter to put in our order. I watch him standing at the pick-up order line with his hands in pockets, turning around he catches me staring at him and grins in a mischievous sorta way. He comes back to the table with two coffees, sitting down across from me.

" so this isn't a date," I say taking a sip of my coffee.

" of course not. You're not even my type" he says smirking. Almost choking on my coffee at his statement, I look at him.

" let me guess. Blonde, Skinny? All-American girl?" I ask sarcastically rolling my eyes.

" geez! You know me so well." He says laughing to himself.

"oh look there goes a possible prospect," I say looking behind him. Conner turns around looking, darn near falling from his chair.

" Ha! made you look," I say laughing hard. He looks at me with an embarrassed expression on his face.

"you're funny. I'll get you back' he says smiling. We sat drinking our coffees in silence, making random eye contact with one another. I felt comfortable around him, like a safe feeling.

" So how old are you? He asks finishing his coffee.

" 25. you?" I ask curiously.

" 26," he says

" so are we friends or is this just a thank you coffee date?" I ask. The thought of us not seeing each other again after today didn't sit well with me.

" friends? I'm not sure that's possible, wont your boyfriend feel uncomfortable with a guy like me around you?" he asks winking at me.

" I'm single," I say looking down.

" why? You're attractive," he says. I look up at him to see his face. He had a serious expression. Did he mean that? I thought.

" I was but he cheated, so yea that's over now," I say not really wanting to talk about it. He looks at me with a sad expression, I hope he wasn't about to give me some lame-ass apology like it was his fault.

" you want to get out of here?" he asks to stand, taking our empty coffee cups, tossing them in a nearby trash can.

" shall we?'' he asked giving me that smile that was starting to make my heart flutter.

"let us go," I say walking past him.

Conner Pov

The ride to Kendra's apartment was quiet, but not in an awkward type of way. I actually enjoyed having coffee with her, it was different from the night she made spaghetti for me. I found myself wanting to be around her more but thinking about her friend Dani coming to the pub last night, made the thought go away.

Was I actually wanting something out of this? After finding out she had no memory of me, changed my whole perspective. Maybe it was fate that we kept encountering each other or just luck? Even though she had no idea who I really was, I could still sense the spark back in high school 8 years ago.

I look at Kendra from the corner of my eye, she was looking out the window daydreaming I wanted to reach over and hold her hand but I knew better of it. My phone begins ringing, already knowing it had to be donna. She always had bad timing with her dam calls. Turning into the apartment complex I park next to her car, keeping the engine running.

" Thanks for the coffee," she says taking her seat belt off.

"sure thing," I say.

She opens the door hoping out closing the door behind her, she turns around with a light wave goodbye walking into her apartment building. I sat there until she disappeared from my view, all I can think about now is that I could no longer hate her. I dialed donnas phone number to see what the hell she wanted. I'm sure if she knew I had coffee with a girl that wasn't her she'd be pissed, let alone it being a black girl.

" where are you?" she asks sounding sexy. Rolling my eyes I really wasn't in the mood for donna and her shit right now. Kendra was taking up my thoughts.

" on my way home, you there?" I ask trying to sound somewhat hopeful about it.

" yes in bed waiting on you," she says seductively.

Fuck my life! I thought to myself.

" see you soon," I say hanging up.

I had to get Kendra out of my mind, breaking up with donna now wouldn't be such a good move. Stepping on the gas I drive home to where my girlfriend donna was waiting for me.

Kendra Pov

Two weeks have passed since I had my coffee date with Connor. He hasn't even contacted me or shown up at the pub, I feel stupid to actually think we had a small moment together. Dani told me not to keep focusing on him, she hated when I was in a bad mood.

Dani says he dating some girl named Donna Henderson, apparently, she found his profile on Facebook. She was a very pretty blonde,

How could I even compare? I worked at a dingy local pub, I was nothing compared to her.

Breaking from my thoughts I hear a knock at my apartment door, who could that be? I thought making my way to answer it, opening the door I see my mother and some tall-ass white dude. What the hell?

" oh hey, mom. .what are you doing here?" surprised.

" can you let your mother in? don't be rude Kendra I brought Joseph with me," she says grabbing his hand. forcing a smile I open my door wider so they could come in. my mother walks past me making her way to my living area with Joseph sitting next to her.

" So what's up mom?" I ask awkwardly.

" well this is Joseph, my fiancé and this is my beautiful daughter Kendra," my mother says smiling.

" nice to me meet you joseph," I say with a genuine smile.

" Joe, and it's good to meet you as well darling," he says smirking.

" Can I get you guys any coffee? Food?" I ask standing up to go to the kitchen.

" actually Kendra, my rehearsal dinner is tonight, can you come? You can even bring Dani and her fiancé" " my mother ask following me to my kitchen.

" I guess, what time?" I ask pouring the extra coffee from my pot in two cups.

" starts at 8 pm. Wear something nice, all of his family will be there.

" well, I'm happy for you mom," I say hugging her.

*******

Driving to the rehearsal dinner alone, was the least of my worries I know my mother can be dramatic with her storytelling when it came to me, so I'm preparing myself mentally. The venue wasn't too far out as I arrived the lot was packed as I tried finding somewhere to park. It was only 7: 50pm so I was late. Finally finding a parking spot, I get out of my car sending Dani a quick text telling her to wish me luck.

Making my way inside the venue it was beautiful

I spot my mother and Joseph greeting the guests, they looked so happy and in love. Making my way towards them I couldn't help but smile this place was beautiful, starting to feel teary-eyed as my mother smiles at me embracing me with a tight hug. I let her go hugging joe as well.

" congrats mom. Joe "I say to them both.

" oh, Kendra I want you to meet Joseph's nephew." Pulling me by my arm. Following behind we make our way to a table of people I'm assuming are Joe's family.

" Connor dear? I'd like you to meet my daughter Kendra" my mother says as the guy turns around facing me. I couldn't believe it, Conner burns? Related to joe? Conner looks at me as if he could care less by my presence

" Hello," I say trying to stay calm.

" We met before," Conner says awkwardly, as my mother looks at me with a sly grin.

"Oh yeah? What a small world." my mother says walking back over to Joseph.

"care to join us?" Conner asks pulling a chair out for me. I smile sitting down when I notice his friend Chris smiling at me. Conner sits next to the blonde donna, His girlfriend who was giving me bitchy looks. What fuck was her problem?

I sat here drinking my wine as everyone else socialized, I felt awkward especially since Conner was ignoring me. Getting up from the table I head over to my mom who was at her table with joe.

The party was starting as waiters began serving the guests food. The menu was simple BBQ chicken, corn, potato salad. I didn't say much as my mom talked with joe and his family at the table. At this point, I wish Dani was here to be my plus one.

" attention! Attention!" my mother say dinging her fork on her wine glass. Everyone stopped talking looking at my mother smiling. Oh god here we go I thought.

" I just want to thank all of you for coming and celebrating my union with my dear Joseph. You are my love and I can not wait to be your wife," she says crying. Everyone cheered clapping as joe stood up grabbing my mom into a warm embrace kissing her. Conner was staring at me, I couldn't read his expression as we made eye contact. Mentally rolling my eyes I sip my wine.

" Kendra care to say anything?" my mother asks handing me the microphone. Standing up I swallow hard before speaking.

" um, I just want to say I love you, mom. I'm so happy that you have joe who seems to really love you. " I say almost crying. Raising my glass as everyone follows

" to the bride and groom!" I yell as everyone cheers repeating me. looking around the room I spot Conner looking at me again, rolling my eyes so this time he could see, I sit to enjoy my mother's party.