Blake laughed. “Maybe he will open up to you since it’sobvious you’re going through something too. You both have that in common.”
“Yeah.”
Liam was now picking invisible lint off his shirt with a scowl that told everyone he didn’t want to be here. But if he didn’t, why didn’t he leave? He had every reason not to linger here with us.
I looked around the table. It seemed everyone was finished eating. I wiped my mouth with my napkin before yawning loudly. “Man. I’m exhausted. I’m sorry, guys, but I might be ready to head out. I can barely keep my eyes open.”
“But…” Blake asked before my gaze cut to hers. I sent her telepathic signals to play along. Her eyes widened, realizing my plan. “Ooooh. Yeah. Me too.” She fake yawned, a bit less convincing than mine, but she got an ‘A’ for effort. “So tired. I’m with you, Cay.”
Jamie’s gaze flicked between us, one eyebrow raised with a smirk. “You two good?” The amusement was evident on his face, but I glared at him for not playing along when we were so clearly faking it.
“Just tired. How about you? You got pretty hammered last night too, right?” I was pulling at straws here. I couldn’t remember how much I’d drank, much less how much he drank.
“Not…” Jamie groaned as Blake elbowed him in the side under the table. He coughed, then said, “Oh yeah, so drunk. I’m basically a zombie right now.”
Blake looked back at me and grinned.Mission accomplished.
“Me too, I’m gonna head out.” Liam stood and threw a few bills down on the table.
I followed suit and approached him. I didn’t reach for him initially, waiting to see if he still held a grudge toward me.
When he sighed and hugged me, whatever I’d done to provoke him was thrown under the bridge.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered in my ear.
“We all have those moments. Do you want to talk?”
“No.”
“If you change your mind, you know I’m here.”
He pulled back, leaving his hands on my shoulders and looking at me
“Same to you. Anytime. Come to California if you need to. Open door policy.”
“Hey, I might take you up on that offer.” I laughed.
“I’d welcome the company. It gets lonely on top of my pedestal.”
I pushed him playfully as we turned back to our friends. I was planning on returning home tomorrow, and I wouldn’t see them before leaving.
Erik hugged me next. “Don’t be a stranger. We miss you.”
“I’ll come home more. Promise.”
“Next time you visit, let’s make sure to get you drunk again,” Wes said as he pulled me against him.
I laughed. “I’d rather not.”
“But drunk Cadence is more fun.”
“Maybe, but she regrets it all when she has to get up for lunch dates.”
We filed back outside, and once the sun hit my chilled skin, I shivered from the warmth.
“Safe travels tomorrow, Cadence,” Liam said.
“You too.”
