Page 117

“I was going to just say that I’m going to take off for the night. Are you okay? I can stay if you need me to.”

I realize just how much of an asshole I’ve been the past few days. I’ve been practically barking at everyone, and it’s not fair.

“Sorry, Jamie. I’m fine. Have a good night.”

When he’s gone, I get back to work and enjoy the quiet. I think about getting up and going to turn on some loud music, but I really want to try to finish this and then maybe take Ellie for a walk.

The bell on the front door rings again, and I wonder what the hell Jamie is doing back here.

“Jamie, what the fuck did you forget? You’d forget your head if it wasn’t attached.”

I wait for a response but don’t get one until a moment later. “It’s not Jamie.”

Liz.

I try not to seem too eager, so I stay under the car and finish screwing a bolt on before finally sliding out.

When I see her, she looks just as beautiful as ever.

“Hi,” she says with a small smile.

“Hi.”

“Can we talk?”

I hate those words. Immediately, my haunches go up as I prepare to hear the worst.

“Isn’t that what we are already doing?”

I walk over to wipe my greasy hands on a rag.

“I’ve made some decisions,” she begins.

“I figured that’s why you’re here.”

“Are you going to let me tell you what they are, or do you want to keep being a smartass?” She asks pointedly.

“Sorry.”

“I decided to keep the money. I think I’ve found a good use for it. You should have seen the people at the bank. I’m pretty sure they think that I’m in with the mob now or something.” She laughs, but I don’t.

“Liz,” I say, prompting her to go on.

“Right. I’m not going back to LA.”

“Oh?” I ask, trying not to seem too excited.

She shoves her hands in her pockets and starts pacing while she talks. “If I would have gotten this offer when I first got here, I would have taken it in a heartbeat. My life in LA was all I dreamed about. But I got back, and everything changed. Suddenly, my reasons to stay were greater than my reasons to leave.”

“I don’t want you to stay for me,” I tell her. “That’s a recipe for disaster.”

“First of all, Paul Bunyan, don’t think that this is all about you. Are you a part of my decision? Yes. I can’t deny that. Because I love you, you freaking idiot. I don’t want to move a thousand miles away from the man that I love.”

Hearing her say those words makes me ridiculously happy.

She goes on. “But you’re not the only reason. I finally have made amends with my family. My mom and I aren’t fighting. My siblings and I are back to acting like real siblings. And as much as I hate to admit it, this stupid town has a way of growing on you even when you don’t want it to. It's like mold.”

“So, you’re staying?” I ask.