Page 76 of How To Not Need You

“Exactly.” He beams, radiating the satisfaction of a man who’s just hung the Mona Lisa in his living room and is waiting for applause.

Adrian sits nearby with a coffee, watching his husband with the fond, patient smile of someone who’s made peace with his life choices a long time ago. He catches my eye and gives me a small nod, the kind that says I know, but what can you do? I nod back, although as a lawyer, I feel like Adrian should be doing more to discourage whatever the hell this is.

The doors swing open and Liv breezes in, her red hair pulled back with her leather jacket slung over one shoulder. She spots me, crosses the room, and presses her lips to my cheek without breaking stride. The kiss lasts barely a second before she moves past me, but I’m still standing there like an idiot when she reaches the cork-board.

Then she’s is there with her head tilted, eyes scanning the red string and madness that the board is currently composed of. “The blue dress note is Luca’s, isn’t it?”

“Obviously,” Luca says.

I stand there for a moment, realising that no one commented on Liv’s casual affection. I don’t think it even drew a glance from a single person.

I’m just Liv’s Jake now. Apparently, I really like being Liv's Jake.

Noah drifts over with a beer in each hand. He offers one without speaking, and I take it, choosing to leave the coffee on the table. We stand side by side for a moment, two men watching a room full of people map an affair onto a cork-board in a way that would probably get the entire group put on a watch list. Noah takes a long pull from his bottle. I do the same. We don’t need words. The silence between us says everything: We’re the only sane ones here.

Elsie materialises beside me with Maisie balanced on one hip. “How’s Tilly?”

“She’s good. Talking about unicorns. The usual.”

“Tell her Milo says hi. He’s been drawing her pictures.”

I smile. “I will.”

Sophie appears beside me with a plate of shortbread. She holds it out, then pulls it back just as my fingers reach the edge.

Sophie glances across the room towards Liv before looking back at me. “She likes you.”

I snort. “Good to know.”

“No, I mean she really likes you.” There’s something in her tone that makes me look at her properly.

Sophie shrugs. “Liv doesn't let people in easily. You’ve probably worked that out by now.”

I follow her gaze. Liv is laughing at something Harper said, her head tipped back, red curls spilling over her shoulder.

“She lets us in,” Sophie continues. “Eventually. Usually after pretending she doesn't need any of us for an unnecessarily long period of time.”

“Sounds like her.”

“Very much.” Her expression softens. “But with you, she's different.” My attention shifts back to Sophie.

“Different how?”

“Happier.”

I look at Liv again.

She is different. I hadn't really noticed it happening, but compared to the woman who looked ready to bolt the first time I met her, Sophie has a point.

Sophie bumps her shoulder lightly against mine. “So don't screw it up.”

I laugh. “There it is.”

“What?”

“The threat.”

“That wasn't a threat.” She smiles sweetly which is slightly unnerving. “You'll know when I'm threatening you.”