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“That’s amazing, good for you.” She puts a hand over mine, and she really does look happy for me. “Your boss sounds pretty awesome.”
“She really is,” I say. “I think I’m going to learn a lot from her.”
“You’ll be running the company in no time.”
I laugh, and it feels so good. When was the last time I laughed?
We talk about her business, and about her kids, and for a moment I get to justbe. I really need to make more of an effort with my friends, sitting there with Joanna is making me feel a little bit less alone. But of course, the good times can’t last forever.
“So, I’m sensing that we’re skirting around a certain subject here,” Joanna says and takes a sip from her drink. “What’s happening with you and Liam? I’ve seen you guys around town, you were looking pretty cozy to me.” She winks at me, but she must sense that I’m not exactly up to talk about it, because her face instantly turns serious. “Eva, what did I miss?”
I almost tell her that there’s nothing to talk about, that it’s no big deal. But I can’t. So I tell her. I tell her about us running into the grocery store that first day, and the time we spent together after that. Joanna doesn’t interrupt, she just lets me talk.
“I just feel stupid,” I say, forcing myself not to cry in the middle of the bar. “Iknewhe was only in town for a short amount of time. Iknewwe had an end date. And still…”
“You started to think that he might stay,” Joanna fills in. “That’s not pathetic, Eva. You can’t help how you feel. And it’s not like he’s some random guy you just met. There’s history there. I remember what you two were like back in the day. And I remember what a mess you were when he left town. No matter how many years have passed since then, those feelings are still there. It would be strange otherwise.”
I shrug. “Maybe. I had allowed myself to see a different future for myself. With the new job, with my new excitement for everything. I was just hoping Liam would be part of that future too.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Joanna reaches over and wipes a tear from my cheek. I didn’t even realize that I had started to cry. “It’s a lot to uproot the life you’ve built for yourself just like that. Liam has his job in the city, his apartment and friends. But I don’t want you to think he left because he doesn’t care about you. I didn’t really talk to him when he was here, but I saw you two together. The way that man looked at you was speaking volumes. He cares about you, Eva. At least there’s that.”
“So why did he just run off like that?” I ask, my voice breaking on the last word. “Why not at least talk to me, why not discuss it like adults? We’re not twenty years old anymore, Joanna.”
“No, we’re not. Give it some time, okay? Maybe the two of you can talk again soon, when the dust settles.”
“Even if we do, it doesn’t change the fact that he left me. Again.”
Joanna opens her mouth, about to speak, but then she closes it again. She’s looking at something behind me, and in the next moment I hear a familiar voice.
“But I’m not staying away for fifteen years this time.”
ChapterEight
I hear Joanna whisper anoh, shitas I turn around in my seat. Liam is looking at me, bags under his eyes and his beard is unkempt. He looks a mess. I probably do as well. But he's still the most beautiful man I've ever laid eyes on. Tall, big, tatted, dressed in washed denims and leather.
“What do you mean?” I ask and get up out of my chair. He scratches his neck as I walk up to him. Nervous. He looks nervous. I stop right in front of his large frame, but at that moment he doesn’t exactly look confident. He just looks scared.
“I needed to see you,” he says, voice low so only I can hear. I sense other people’s eyes on us. Can’t say I blame them. This is first class drama.
“Your mom said you went back to the city,” I say, trying to wrap my head around what he’s doing here.
“I did,” he says. “I needed to make some arrangements, needed to tie up some loose ends.”
“I don’t know what that means.” I’m starting to feel irritated. He can’t even speak plainly? He can’t just tell me outright what he’s doing?
“Eva, can we go somewhere and talk?” He starts to reach for my hand, but seems to remember that he might not get to hold it. His hand falls to his side again. “Somewhere just you and me.”
I look over my shoulder at Joanna, and she’s nodding furiously at me. Go. I steel myself for what’s to come, whatever it may be. “Okay. We can go to my apartment.”
“Thank you.” He looks relieved.
Our walk to my apartment is a quiet one. I don’t know what to ask him, and Liam seems to be collecting his thoughts for our conversation that’s about to come. When we get inside, I sit down on the couch. Liam stands in the middle of the living room, a fish out of water.
“Oh, for god’s sake,” I gesture to the couch. “Sit down, Liam. I’m not going to bite your head off.”
For the first time I see a small smile in the corner of his mouth. He sits down next to me, the warmth from our bodies radiating between us. Liam clears his throat and turns to me.
“I quit my job,” he says. “And I sold my apartment.”
