“Maybe, maybe, maybe. I still think you should try talking to him. He’s a good guy. He was a good friend to you. You could sort things out.”
“I don’t know.”And frankly, the best thing she could do at this stage was just to stay far away from him. For her sake, for his sake, for her heart’s sake.
“Will you at least think about it?”Livy wouldn’t let it go.
“Sure.”But she was certain her expression didn’t look the least bit convincing.
Livy took a sip of her coffee and set the mug down.“Now, about the Parker thing. Why didn’t you tell me you legally changed your name?”
“I was afraid you’d be mad. Or tell me I was doing the wrong thing.”
“I’ve always supported your decisions.”Livy reached over and took her hand.
“I know. It was just easier if no one knew. If I didn’t have to explain myself. If…Mother didn’t find out.”
“You know I’ll always be there for you. No more secrets. Not about names. Not about Jesse. I hate feeling like we’re growing apart.”
Heather squeezed her hand.“We’re not growing apart. I was just being…foolish. I should have told you about the name and about Jesse. But you’ve just been so busy these last few years and I didn’t want to add to everything you have to worry about.”Heather shrugged.
“I’m never too busy for you, Heather. Never. No more secrets.”Livy looked directly at her.
“No more.”And just like that, she lied to her cousin. A lie of omission, but still a lie.
Livy finished her coffee and left to go work at Parker’s. Heather stayed at Brewster’s and sipped on a second cup of coffee.
No more secrets. Wasn’t that just one big lie?
It was technically a good plan. Best friends shouldn’t keep secrets from each other. Especially after promising not to.
But she hadn’t actually explained the timeline between her and Jesse exactly right. She’d left out a few details. Big details. Details going back to when they were young.
So, no more secrets except…
…she still had one more secret that she didn’t plan to tell anyone. Not even Livy.
Chapter 6
Livy turned around at the sound of the door opening to the cafe. The cafe thatstillwasn’t opened yet, and the sign plastered on the door clearly stated the fact. Her ire tempered, though, when she saw it was Austin.“Good morning.”
“I can read, really. The sign says you’re not open. But I did say I’d come by and see you.”
“No, come in. I’m waiting for the electrician who’s going to get the soda fountain all wired up. He already finished in the kitchen, and Aunt Evelyn should be here soon to get it all organized just like she wants it.”
“When do you plan to open?”He glanced around the cafe.
“In about two weeks. Or I hope so.”
“Are you having a grand opening?”
She laughed.“Like the gala for The Cabot Hotel grand opening? I don’t think so.”
“But you could get some good PR from having an official grand opening. Did you list it as coming soon on your TalkTime page?”
“So would you believe me if I said we don’t have one?”
He laughed.“I’d believe you. Jesse didn’t either until I sat down with him and set one up. Do you want me to do that with you?”
“I can’t pay you in ice cream sundaes yet. No ice cream until Evelyn orders in all the supplies and gets us started again.”
