Page 103 of How To Not Need You

Luca nods.

“And tell her…” I stop. Because I'm sorry feels wrong.

I didn't cheat.

I don't want to apologise for something I didn't do and accidentally make it sound like there was something to forgive.

But I'm sorry she stood on my verandah and felt her heart break.

I'm sorry she spent days believing I was exactly the man I promised her I wasn't.

“Tell her I'm sorry she saw that before I could explain it. And I'm sorry I didn't think.”

Luca frowns slightly. “About what?”

“She told me she was going there. I knew Megan was using the shower. I should've put it together.”

“You'd been working how long?”

“Doesn't matter. And tell her I'm not going anywhere.”

He nods. “I can do that.”

Behind me, Ben quietly clears his throat. I turn towards him.

He's holding two takeaway coffees. I stare at him wondering where he got them from as I was talking to Luca.

He gestures with his head to Mia, who is currently trying to pretend as though she is cleaning a counter and wasn’t just eavesdropping like her red cheeks suggest.

“You looked like you needed one.”

“When did you order those?”

“During the emotional standoff.”

Luca points at him. “Now that is a good friend.”

“Please don't encourage him.”

“I don’t think he needs much encouragement.”

And somehow, despite the fact that my relationship may currently be hanging together by a thread, I take the coffee.

Because apparently this is my life now. Rewrite Club interventions, accidental breakup scenes and Ben supplying caffeine during emotional standoffs.

And right now, there's nothing else I can do.

All I can do is wait for Liv to decide whether she still wants me in hers.

Chapter

Eighteen

Liv

Two days.

I have been on this couch for two days.