Page 19 of The Shift Between Us (Covewood #2)

I look at Luke, silently asking him if it’s okay that I leave him. He nudges his chin, smiling toward Jessee. “Go.”

“Want to come?” I ask him, knowing that Luke isn’t much of a dancer, but I always offer anyway, on the off chance he’ll say yes.

“No, thanks. I’ll enjoy the view from here.” He winks at me, and usually the wink is such a casual thing between us, but this time I feel it deep inside my belly. Since I’m refusing to acknowledge these feelings, like an adult, I scurry away onto the dance floor.

Jessee and I bounce to the beat, hands in the air, laughing as we throw in a few dorky dance moves. The music wraps around me like it always does. It’s more than background noise; it’s my safe place. I’ve never liked the silence. It leaves too much room for thoughts I’d rather not hear.

Once the song ends and moves into another, I look through the crowd until I spot Luke, who’s still sitting at our table, staring at me. I catch a twist of his lips and see the sparkle in his eyes as he watches me dance, and it causes a sort of dizziness to fog my head.

This feeling makes me nervous because I don’t know what to do with it.

I twist my body until I’m no longer facing him, my long hair flinging across my face in a curtain that I’ll gladly hide behind.

I search for Jessee, who I swore was right behind me, but find her dancing with someone else. So I dance by myself.

I stay on the dance floor for a few more songs until I make my way through the crowd and head to the table, where I find Luke chatting with a woman I don’t recognize. There’s a tightening in my chest and a sudden drop in my stomach at the sight of them together.

I don’t want to interrupt him, so I go to the bar and request a bottle of water. I practically inhale the whole thing. “I always knew you were a secret mermaid,” someone announces from behind me, causing me to jump slightly until I see that it’s Zane. He smirks at me.

“Stop it with the Little Mermaid comments!” I warn him. Ever since I first met him, Zane has always made the comment that I look like Ariel, and I don't know why, but I’ve never liked it, and he knows it. “Normal people get thirsty after dancing.”

“Yeah, I saw that. Jessee seems to be working her way around the crowd.”

I turn and find her dancing with someone new.

As my eyes scan the room, I catch a glimpse of Luke and the woman he’s talking to.

I can’t see his face from here, but I can see hers.

She’s gorgeous with her shoulder-length dark hair, full red lips, and long lashes.

She’s definitely his type, reminding me of an ex-girlfriend of his. I should be happy for him.

But there’s always the unwanted thoughts in the back of my mind, finding any flaw that I can in the women he gives his attention to, always discovering that no one is good enough for him. What kind of friend does that?

Disgusted with myself, I return my attention to Zane, who’s grinning down at me.

“What?”

“Nothing,” he says quickly, wiping the grin off his face. “Who’s Luke talking to?”

“I’m not sure who she is.” My voice sounds sharper than I intend it to.

Zane, of course, notices this, his signature grin making a second appearance.

“Wanna dance to make them jealous?”

Am I that obvious? If Zane can read my true feelings, I know Luke can as well. I twist around until I am no longer facing him and reply, “No thanks. I think I’ve danced enough tonight. I’m going to call it a night and head home.”

Zane looks behind me at Luke then gives me a knowing smirk. “Alright. I’ll see you later.”

I wave goodbye to Zane before making my way to Luke’s table so I can retrieve my purse. All the while, my stomach is twisting into itself the closer I approach him. When he looks up at me and our eyes lock, there’s this subconscious pull toward him that I have to fight against.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I say as I snag my purse. “I just need to grab this.”

“Hey, Liv, this is Latasha,” Luke says, gesturing to the beautiful woman whose piercing blue eyes scan me up and down. “She’s visiting her grandparents for an early Christmas. You know Daniel and Piper Potter.”

“Yes, of course. Your cousin Cindy is one of my dear friends. We’re happy to have her art studio in our community.” I take her hand into mine, my cheeks aching from the large smile I force on my face. “It’s nice to meet you.”

At least Latasha isn’t from here and I don’t have to worry about anything long-term happening between her and Luke. I want to smack myself because that thought shouldn’t even cross my mind. As Luke’s friend, I should want him to find someone to settle down with.

Reminding myself that Luke has mentioned before that he doesn’t do long-distance relationships sends a small wave of relief to wash over me, especially once I hear her northern accent as she replies, “It’s nice to meet you too.”

I bounce onto the balls of my feet nervously, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my shirt, before I glance at Luke, who is studying me.

It’s clear that he can read right through whatever persona I’m trying to create in front of this woman.

His glance lingers on me before Latasha interrupts, gaining his attention once again.

“The family is celebrating her and Elliott’s engagement in an hour. Luke, would you like to join me?”

Yes, I totally noticed that she made sure to say Luke and not include me in these plans, which is silent girl code for ‘ Get lost. He’s mine .

’ There is a small part of me that acknowledges, briefly, that I wish he were only mine.

That it could be me that he’s focused on.

I know that wishing for something more with Luke can only lead to ruining everything we’ve worked so hard to rebuild.

Luke had his chance, and he didn’t take it.

Luke looks up at me, a question behind his gaze, and there's a moment of hesitation before I choose to ignore my internal struggles and say, “Well, I’m going to head home. I hope you two have a wonderful night.”

I give them both a wave and turn to leave but not before I catch it—the glimmer of disappointment in Luke’s eyes.

The way his mouth opens, like he’s about to say something, but nothing comes.

So I walk away, fast, before I can change my mind.

And as the bar fades behind me, I do what I’ve always done.

I bury every feeling I have for Luke so deep I almost believe they’re gone.

Almost .