Page 41 of Just Between Us

I match her raised brow with one of my own. “Well, come on out with it. What are you asking?”

“Just curious if anything is going on. It’s not my business, but your mama can’t help but wonder.” She points her spoon to Mutt, who is sitting at my feet. “You called her your favorite girl when you got here.”

Standing, I move to the front window and lift the blinds to look out. I can see Cassie, head resting on the bench seat, eyes closed. I may have snapped at Ryan last night, but no way in hell would I talk to my mom like that. And I trust her more than anyone.

“Mom, she’s my friend. I told Ryan this last night, and now I’m telling you. Cassie has a lot going on in her life. What she needs is a friend, a support system, and that’s what she’s getting from me. And I’m not looking for anything, either.”

My mom steps up beside me and loops an arm around my waist.

“I hope you know what a good man you are, Liam. Love you, son.”

“Love you, Mom.”

I drop a kiss to the top of her head and take the dishes from her hand, stepping outside with Mutt at my heels.

With my free hand, I open the driver’s door to my truck and boost Mutt up and into the cabin. He launches himself at Cassie and her whole face splits into a brilliant smile. Seeing her face light up at the sight of my dog makes my heart kick into double time. I think I could live on that sight alone for life, and be a happy man. My face must betray my thoughts, because when Mutt finally settles down, Cassie eyes me, one eyebrow arched. She doesn’t call me out though, and I shift the truck into drive and head home.

When we reach my house, I help her out, grab her bag, and we head up the front walk with Mutt trotting along beside Cassie. Little shit is gonna steal all her attention.

“I’m capable of carrying my bag, Liam,” Cassie says to my back.

“Doesn’t mean you should have to,” I call over my shoulder.

Unlocking the door, we step inside. I head to the kitchen to set the to-go containers on the counter, take Cassie’s bag to my bedroom, and return to her quickly. She’s curled up on one corner of my couch, eyes closed, but I can tell she’s not sleeping. Just resting her mind.

“Hungry?” I ask, grabbing both containers from the counter. Cassie shakes her head, which makes me frown. “Have you eaten today?”

She shakes her head again and my frown deepens. “Angel, you need to eat. It’ll help.”

Cassie groans and it’s the cutest damn sound I’ve heard from her so far. “Fine. I’ll eat.”

I grab two forks and head to sit beside her on the couch, placing both containers on my coffee table. She lets me feed her the first few bites, rolling her eyes at how overbearing I’m being. But then she takes the fork from me and we eat in companionable silence punctuated with the occasional hum from a good bite. I glance at Cassie’s plate, surprised to see she’s devoured it.

“That was so good I could lick the plate clean.”

I almost choke on my water. A mental image of Cassie licking anything is the last thing I need right now. Once we’ve both finished, I clean the dishes and return to sit next to her.

Cassie angles her body toward me, knees tucked against her chest. My hand finds the space between us, palm up, an offering, and without hesitation she hooks her pinky with mine. My eyes flicker up to meet hers and I’m rewarded with a small smile.

“Austin plans on being back tomorrow. He tasked me with getting Penny to the bar,” Cassie says, breaking through the silence.

“Oh yeah? What’s his plan?”

“No clue. He said he’d tell me everything in the morning. I’ve invited Josie. I was hoping maybe you’d stop by.” She says this like she’s bracing for disappointment, like she doesn’t already know I’d show up anywhere if it meant just being near her.

Then an idea clicks into place, and I roll with it.

“I’ll come on one condition.” I glance her way, one brow raised.

“Which is?”

“In case you’ve forgotten, we still have a list to complete.” I go to scratch my jaw, like I’m really thinking. “If you recall, number three on that list could be accomplished at the bar. Two birds with one stone. Austin can sweep Penny off her size nothing little feet and you can sing in public.”

Cassie’s eyes go wide, and immediately I regret voicing my idea. She’s already carrying too much today and the last thing I want is to be another weight pressing down. This isn’t about pushing her to do something she’s not ready for, it’s about giving her somewhere else to look, somewhere brighter.

I’m already preparing to backpedal, lips parting to tell her never mind, we’ll do it another night, but then her eyes light up.

“Okay.”