She tapped her lips.
“Woman.” I grabbed her face and kissed her hard, kissed her for what it was.
A goodbye.
CHAPTER 41
The Note
SARAFINA
Liam, uncharacteristically, pretended not to notice as we stole fruit from the tray he was neatly arranging with little bits of pretty foliage and edible flowers. But I knew the truth. He didn’t even have the energy to snap back with some clever response because of what he’d shared with Carter this morning—the heartbreaking news of him and Gina.They’d broken up.
At the kitchen counter, Jules leaned back in her chair and raised a knowing brow. “So, Sloane, tell me about you and Cade.”
“I have no idea what you mean.” Sloane shrugged with a grin.
I laughed and threw a grape at her. “Sure you don’t.”
“Oh, we’re going to get toyounext.” Jules chuckled, shaking her head. “You and Carter were awfully cozy last night.Allover each other, in fact.”
“Jules!” I hissed, shooting a nervous glance in Liam’s direction. He thankfully didn’t notice because he was zoned out on his phone—in fact, something smelled like it was burning on the stovetop.
“Liam,” I called gently. Nothing.
“He’s out of it today.” Jules said absentmindedly, playing with the necklace shealwayswore. “I think what happened last night really upset him.”
I shook my headnoand lowered my voice. “Him and Gina broke up yesterday morning.” I grimaced and my heart broke, realizing he’d put on a brave faceall dayyesterday, probably because he didn’t want to ruin my birthday redo.
“Oh, shit.” Sloane sat up. “Do you think they’ll work it out? They’re so great together.”
“No, I think it’s been a long time coming.” I admitted. “Gina’s career is really taking off, and so is Liam’s, and neither of them can really move in the foreseeable future.”
I grimaced as Jules shoulders sagged and wondered if she was thinking the same thing I was. Long-distance relationships seemed next to impossible to maintain. It made me wonder how Carter and I would fare. We hadn’t even made plans for his upcoming deployment. I hadn’t even hugged him goodbye. Not really.
The stove wasreallysmoking now. “Liam!”
“Oh, shit.” He startled, shoving his phone in his pocket.
He yanked the smoking pan off the burner, grumbling under his breath as he carried it across the kitchen and chucked the entire thing into the sink. It hissed with steam as he gripped the edge of the counter, and his head hung between his shoulders in defeat.
Oh Liam.
“Don’t say anything.” I murmured, hating that he hadn’t told me himself. I only knew because I’d eavesdropped from the stairs at Carter’s. “He’ll say something when he’s ready.”
Jules nodded sympathetically, and Sloane zipped her lips.
I changed the subject with a grin. “So Sloane, how was your motorcycle ride with Cade?”
“Fast.” She chuckled, shaking her head, and I didn’t doubt it.
“You two have been hanging out a lot lately.” Jules prodded with a smirk.
“It’s been quiet around Briar Rose.” Sloane shrugged. “We bump into each other a lot.”
“I’ll bet you do.” I grinned, but Sloane quickly changed thesubject, looking at Jules. “So, are we going to talk about what happened with you and Douglass last night?”
“What can I do?” Jules sighed, twirling a long silky strand of auburn-brown hair around her finger. “I love him.” She looked so conflicted.
