“I sure hope you do have an explanation because right now, my best friend is feeling used and confused. I’m not sure she’s even willing to listen to whatever you have to say right now to be honest. So, I stand by what I said. You fucked up.”
“I was trying to—ugh!” I tug at my hair. “I need to talk to Liv. I can explain this.”
Viv stares at me for a long moment. She sighs, shoulders relaxing, drops her arms, and shakes her head. “Look, I don’t think you’re that kind of guy, at least I’d like to believe that. But this brings up old wounds for Liv, you gotta know that.”
The conversation about her ex comes flooding back to me, sending ice through my blood.
“I’m going to talk to her.” Turning toward the patio doors, Josh stops me with a hand on my shoulder.
“If you go that way, everyone—and God forbid, Chloe—will watch you knock on her door and walk into her room. Then, whatever secret you’ve been trying to keep from the public eye goes to shit.”
He’s right.
With a grunt, I storm off down the path through the lawn that leads to the side of the house where I can access Liv’s patio.
The light is on in her room, but her curtains are closed.
Steeling myself with a deep breath, I tap on her door, then try the handle, but it’s locked.
A round, orange face pushes through the curtains. With a muffled meow, Sunny brushes his body along the window, the curtain draped over his back. Liv appears a moment later, scooping Sunny into her arms and cradling him closely.
“Can we talk?”
“There’s nothing to talk about, Luke. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” She moves to close the curtain.
“Whatever you think you saw, I promise it’s not?—”
“It’s fine, really. You are free to do whatever you want. This was just fun, remember?” She’s dismissive.
“No, it’s not like that, I promise. Please let me explain.” I can’t keep the desperation out of my voice. She’s so closed off. I don’t like it.
“I’m tired, and I’d like to go to bed.” Liv drops a squirmingSunny and angles her body away like that’s it—conversation done.
“How about in the morning?” I’m begging now. I can’t let her leave in less than two days thinking that this week meant nothing to me. Thinking that she was just one of many.She’s the only one there will ever be. There isn’t anyone else I want.My heart seizes at the realization.
She shakes her head. It’s a minimal movement that suffocates me.
“Please, Trip.” My hands are shaking, my voice is shaking. I just need a chance to explain.
She crosses her arms and stares at me for a long moment. “I’ll think about it.”
The tension in my muscles eases all at once, the relief giving way to hope.
“Goodnight, Luke.” The curtain falls closed, a finality in her movements.
Now I wait.
Forty-Six
I NEED YOU TO KNOW
Liv
Sunny climbs across me, purring deeply, and settles his bulk right on my chest.
“You need to go on a diet. You’ve eaten too many treats this week.” I scratch behind his ears. “Ready to go home tomorrow?” I ask him.
He yawns, whiskers fanning out, and finishes with a chirp. Curling his head down, he looks at me from an upside-down view.
