Page 19 of Never Less

“Oh. Right.”

“Never thought she’d end up being a mom,” Nate muses. “She was so against it when we were younger.”

“I mean, to be fair, how many teenagers want to have kids?” Levi snorts. “Hell, I still don’t want any.”

“Ugh, same.” Matthias wrinkles his nose. “Too much of a mess, and I’d miss out on so much shit. It’s not like you can take a baby on a backpacking trip.”

“Oh!” Levi sits up straight. “Speaking of, Nate, look at this sweet new gear I got.”

Nate leans forward while Levi pulls out his phone and starts showing off pictures. From there, the conversation veers into backpacking—future plans, what trails they like best, what gear didn’t work for them, et cetera.

I try to pay attention, but a lot of the jargon they use goes right over my head. The outdoors hasn’t ever really been my thing. Spending time outside? Sure. But if I go too long without air conditioning or running water, I don’t do too well.

The deeper into the conversation the guys get, the harder it is for me to follow along. I try to ask a few questions to keep up, but Nate doesn’t show much interest in explaining, and Levi keeps shooting me weird looks.

I don’t blame Nate for wanting to catch up with his friends, but I’m trying, goddammit. It’s been a while since I’ve felt so out of place. So… ignored when I really don’t have anyone else to talk to.

I try to scoot closer to Nate and rest my hand on his thigh, but he brushes me off and moves even farther away. After about an hour, I give up and slip away. I don’t think he even notices.

Upstairs, the house is much emptier than it was when we arrived. It looks like a lot of people have filtered outside. The backyard is perfectly manicured, and the large patio is lit with pretty string lights. Music plays softly from some speakers, and really, it’s a whole vibe. Charlotte and John know how to throw a good party.

Since the kitchen is empty, I take my time putting together a plate of food for myself. I’m halfway through scooping the cheesiest mac and cheese onto my plate when a booming laugh filters into the house. Warmth floods my body at the sound.

Marcus.

I peer out one of the kitchen windows, and there he is. Even in the dying light, he’s still breathtakingly handsome. He has a glass in his hand, and he’s standing so casually, yet he still oozes confidence. Not overconfidence, mind you. The amount that’s just right and has my stomach fluttering. It makes me want to—

“You good, darlin’?”

Jumping, I spin around. Lori is on the other side of the kitchen. Her hands are on her hips, and she’s got a knowing smile on her face.

“Y-yeah. Great. Just getting some food.”

“Looks like you were doing more than that.” Her tone is playful—mischievous, even.

“Got… distracted.”

Raising an eyebrow, Lori moves closer to me. She glances around before lowering her voice. “You know, I was with the wrong man too, once.”

“What?” The word comes out of my mouth in an embarrassingly high tone. I know I heard her correctly. The heat rushing to my cheeks makes it impossible to deny.

Lori squeezes my arm before breezing through the kitchen and to the back door. Just as her fingers close around the handle, she looks back at me. “Don’t be afraid to go after what you want, Liliana. You’ve only got one life. Don’t waste it with the wrong person—or without the right one.”

And then she’s gone, leaving me breathless and stunned and wondering what the hell I’m supposed to do with what she just said.

Chapter seven

Marcus

When Liliana steps outside, it feels like the entire backyard brightens. Even though she’s trying to sneak past everyone’s perception of her, I wish all my friends would stop and just look at her. Her beauty is all-encapsulating, and it’s a miracle she doesn’t bring every man she meets to his knees.

My heart soars when she makes a beeline for me. She’s holding a plate of food, so I pull out a chair next to the table I’m standing at. Charlotte and John are already seated there, but they won’t mind sharing with Liliana.

“You’re just now eating?” I ask as she sits down with a grateful smile.

“Wasn’t quite ready to earlier. This all looks delicious, though.”

“Well, I’d say thank you, but I had it all catered,” Charlotte says with a little chuckle. “Made the day go by much more smoothly.”

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