Page 45

But I was. Because not only had I ruined her date with Knox, but I’d clearly upset her with my questions… and with my answers.

We packed up our food into the to-go containers in silence, and when we were done, I paid the bill and we walked to my truck. I wanted to hold the door open for her, but I’d already crossed so many lines, I just got inside and drove back toward the house.

She sat, arms folded across her chest, and stared out the window for the better part of the drive. So I had plenty of time to beat myself up for my idiotic behavior tonight and even more time to worry that I’d messed everything up professionally too.

When we got to the house, she started walking toward the cottage, but I reached out, holding her hand. “Wait.”

Her eyes landed on me, heavy.

Warmth spread from her skin to my fingertips and up my arm, and I dropped my hand away.

“Are we okay?” I asked. “I mean... you’re not quitting on me, are you?”

Her smile was sad. “I’m not quitting on Maya.”

23

Liv

The next day, Henrietta needed to get odds and ends for their apartments from the city, so Della and I piled in her car. For almost an hour of the two-hour drive to Dallas, I told them about the clusterfuck of a date, including how I’d cried in bed the night before, not about the failed date, but about Fletcher.

He’d said he was attracted to me but refused to act on it.

Logically, I knew we couldn’t have a relationship. But something about that fact hurt less when I thought it was because he wasn’t interested. Not because he was interested and decided I wasn’t worth the risk.

Della frowned, looking at me in the back seat. “He’s being a total fuck boy.”

Henrietta nodded in agreement as she drove. “Either he likes you or he doesn’t. He shouldn’t be blurring lines like that if he’s not going to follow through.”

I agreed. But I also... liked the fact that he was standing his ground. “Am I a masochist for liking him more because he’s so dedicated to Maya?”

“Yes,” they said at the same time.

I laughed, then tugged at my hair in frustration. “And of course Knox noped out. So I’m back to being single as ever. I know it’s melodramatic to say, but I don’t want to die alone in this town!”

Della reached back, putting her hand on my knee. “Get on FarmersOnly and find yourself a good southern boy if that’s what you want.”

I sighed. “I don’t. I want to meet someone the old-fashioned way.”

Henrietta smirked at me in the rearview and said, “You know, I met Tyler at my job too.”

“I know, I know, and it worked out great for you two, and you’re living your dream life. But we can’t all get that lucky. It’s more complicated when you have to worry about a kid too.”

Della twirled a red curl around her finger. “I say you just have a good summer with Maya, have fun with us, and leave your feelings for Fletcher in the past. Things will fall into place the way they’re meant to.”

“You think?” I asked.

She nodded. “What do you say we go out next Saturday and get trashed?”

I laughed.

“I’m in,” Henrietta said.

“Me too,” I agreed. “Better make up your guest bed for me.”

We reached the city, and Della said, “Hen, do you mind if we make a little detour?”

Hen said, “That’s fine. Tyler’s hanging out with Rhett and Gage all day, so it’s not like he’ll miss me.”