Page 134 of Just Between Us

Standing, I brush loose dirt from my legs and backside and quietly walk to my car.

Driving into town, I pass Jackson’s diner, where I spot my mom’s unmistakable silhouette through the front glass, taking a customer’s order. I smile at the sight. She’s not 100 percent. Not even 80 percent healed. That would be impossible in this time span. But she’s a universe away from the timid, bird-like woman she was mere months ago.

For now, Singing River is quiet, though I’ve been warned it won’t be long before white tents and food trucks flood Main Street. The annual Riverfest, the largest event the town hosts. It’s an all-evening affair, culminating in a street dance that’ll keep the bar packed late into the night. Liam slipped out of bed before I woke to help Sheila get things ready.

Today is also his birthday. I only discovered it because he left his driver’s license lying on the kitchen counter a couple weeks ago. He tried brushing it off when I brought it up, but I wasn’t having it. If my birthday is worth celebrating, his is too. Like he said, every year we’re alive deserves a celebration.

As I walk toward the bar, I pause on the sidewalk, letting my gaze drift over the familiar storefronts: Old Town Tavern, Olivia’s florist, the record store, Henry’s barber shop, Main Street Books.

My town. Filled with my people.

From the corner of my eye, a flicker of white catches my attention. It’s a dandelion, turned to seed, nearly identical to the one I made a wish on close to a year ago, on a day much like today. The girl who blew seeds into the wind hadn’t the faintest idea how much her life was about to change. They say every seven years your body becomes something new, regeneratingevery cell until you’re entirely new. I didn’t need seven years. I only needed this one.

I kneel at the flower, then hesitate. This time, I let the dandelion be, to grow in the crack. Maybe some other person will come along, heavy hearted and searching, and need that wish more than I do. Besides, I’ve got everything I could ever think to ask for.

The interior of the bar seems darker than usual while my eyes slowly adjust from the glaring summer sun. Through a few blinks, the bar reveals itself piece by piece. The same karaoke stage I sang on back in the fall. The same taxidermy animals, marble eyes watching me from their perch. And the same familiar smile from Sheila to greet me. At the sight of her, my face splits into a smile and I head her way.

“Ready for the festival?” I ask, leaning against the polished wood of the bar. She’s scrubbed it so thoroughly it shines under the lighting above.

“As ready as I’ll ever be. It’ll be a busy evening. I’m just glad Jackson has your mama’s help at the diner so he can give me a hand here tonight. You know how he likes the tips.” She pauses to pull glasses from the sanitizing bay and sets them on the drying mat. “If you’re looking for Liam, he’s?—”

But a tune breaks her off. A harmonica, playing something fun and upbeat.

“I think I found him.”

Sheila gives a wink, and I follow the tune.

“There’s my girl,” he says, patting the vinyl seat when he spots me.

The moment I slide in, he hooks a hand behind my neck and captures my mouth with his.

“Do we need to sneak off to the office?” I murmur against his mouth.

His eyes spark with heat. “Lift that skirt of yours and I could get off there right here.”

Liam’s hand strays down, fingers moving to the hem of my dress.

“Absolutely not.” I press a palm to his chest. “Have you lost your mind? God only knows what’s happened in this booth.”

He settles for my mouth but we only have a few minutes of alone time before our friends begin to trickle in. Austin and Penny arrive first, with Lizzie tucked away in her carrier.

“You’ve got a baby, in a bar,” I quote, from one of my favorite movies as I lean in for a hug from Penny.

“We are in Alabama, Cass,” Austin quips, earning a playful punch from Penny.

Before I know it, we’re all here, gathered around a larger table in the center of the room.

Josie is, of course, fashionably late. “Did you bring it?” I ask while Liam is distracted by Lizzie, who he’s trying to pull a smile from.

“Sure did. Want a sneak peek?”

From a flat cardboard sleeve, Josie slides the art I commissioned for Liam’s gift. It’s a recreation of the famous Dogs Playing Poker painting, but in this one, Mutt sits front and center, dealing cards with one paw. On his head is a plastic visor with a cigar hanging from his mouth.

I burst out laughing when I see it.

“Josie, Liam is gonna flip. This is perfect.” While it’s not the sentimental gift I received for my birthday, everything about it screams Liam. We’ve had a lot of heartfelt moments, so I want him to have something fun.

Josie slides it back between the cardboard and I take a seat next to Liam.