AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I better get going,” Charlie says. He glances at the painting, then pulls me in for a hug. “Thanks for inviting me. Happy birthday.”
I return his embrace, feeling guilty for my emotional outburst over my ex, even though I know I shouldn’t. He bumps fists with Garrett before saying goodbye to my uncle and Charlotte.
He takes quick steps towards the door, and I chase after him. “Charlie, wait. Let me walk you.”
He stops to hold the door open for me and I fall in step with him. It’s a short distance from our house to the garage, so by the time we reach the steps to his apartment, I still don’t know what to say.
I’m about to speak, but he shakes his head. “You don’t need to explain anything to me. I know you went through a tough break-up. I’d be trying to get you back too if I was him.”
My eyebrows scrunch together. Is that what Luke is doing? No, Brody sent it. I shake my head, but he just shrugs. “Happy birthday, Liv.” He hugs me again and I melt into his calming embrace.
“Thank you so much for my succulent. I love it.” He smiles and winks before heading up the stairs. I heave out a sigh and return to the house. Dad has a level out and is marking where to insert the nails.
Garett props his elbow on my shoulder as we take in the enormous artwork.
“She looks like you.” He tilts his head to the side for a second, then straightens. “Just hotter.”
I snort and smack his arm away. Once it’s up, I stand there staring at it long after everyone else moves on to watch TV in the living room. Brody’s words from when I ran into him a year ago on my 30thbirthday find their way to me.Don’t give up on him, Liv. Please.I never made that promise to him, but I wonder if a part of me did, anyway. Maybe that’s why I’m struggling to let him go. Hope. Stupid, useless, painful hope. Hope that even Charlie can’t extinguish. I huff out a breath and join my family in the living room.
