Page 60 of Just Between Us

The pain in his voice when he said it. This explains so much. Liam isn’t holding back because he feels nothing. He’s holding back because he feels too much. And he’s terrified.

“I think we’ve said enough,” Penny says, her voice gentle but firm. “Probably too much. This is Liam’s story to tell when he’s ready.”

“What if he’s never ready?” I ask, looking between the two of them.

“Then he’s never ready,” Penny whispers, squeezing my hand.

We sit in silence, the gravity of what they’ve just revealed occupying my mind, and probably theirs. They’ve been friendsall their life. Whatever happened had to have been hard for them, too.

I press my palms to my eyes, trying to process this. So many times I’ve turned to him when I needed him. But who is he turning to?

“You okay, Cassie?” Josie asks after at least five minutes pass in complete silence.

I drop my hands and look from her to Josie. Both are wearing matching looks of concern.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I feel terrible. I wish I’d known. I could be more patient with him, give him more time.”

“Or maybe…” Penny starts, like she’s choosing her words with care. “You’d end up waiting around forever for someone who isn’t capable of getting the help he needs. That’s not fair to you either, Cassie.”

She’s right. I know she is. But it doesn’t stop the ache in my chest. It doesn’t stem the urge to go to him and tell him it’s okay. I’ll wait. I understand.

My phone vibrates with a text and I pick it up to read it.

Sam

Hey! We still on for coffee? I’ll meet you there at 2.

I stare at the message for a long moment.

The grief Liam carries…I can’t fix that. He has to want to heal, he has to let someone in. I can help him get the help he needs and be the friend he turns to when he’s ready, if that ever happens, but I can’t put my life on hold waiting for that day. So what if Sam doesn’t make my heart race the way it does with Liam. This is something new and it’s worth seeing where it leads.

Yep! See you at 2.

Sam

Looking forward to it :)

“I probably need to get going,” I say after reading Sam’s message.

“You’re still going?” Josie asks, surprised.

“Yep.” I stand, setting my glass in the sink. “I’m still going.”

I slip my purse strap over my head and grab my keys, but right as I’m heading for the door, Josie catches my arm.

“For what it’s worth, I think you and Liam would be great together. If this thing with Sam doesn’t work out, maybe it’ll be the wakeup call Liam needs.”

“And if it’s not?”

Josie gives me a sad smile. “Then Sam’s a lucky guy.”

On paper, coffee with Sam is a perfect date.

He was already there when I arrived, sitting at a small bistro table in the corner. Afternoon light streaming in, highlighting his golden blond hair. He stands when I approach, a huge smile breaking across his face, genuinely happy to see me.

We placed our orders—their new matcha special for me, black coffee for him—and at the last minute Sam asked for a brownie from the pastry case.

“We can share,” he offered, “or I can get two.”