Page 24 of I’d Never Date my Best Friend…Again

I help my dog into the backseat. “How about we take a hike, hmm? And you better get used to this because it’s our new job.”

Tex stomps excitedly as if he understands me, and I start the car. I might not be able to share my excitement with Penny physically, but I can go where I feel her presence and tell her I’m finally on track to achieving what I’ve always wanted to do.

Tex barks in the back seat as if to tell me he’s with me all the way. I glance back at him, and my chest fills with warmth for this amazing creature. “I couldn’t have done this without you, bud. Thank you for always being there.” I give his head a good rub.

He barks again in acknowledgment, and I return my attention to driving.

Chapter 10

Penny

“What is wrong with me?” I groan, redirecting my attention back to the words on the page of the book I’m reading but my thoughts are all over the place, making focusing a challenge. Maybe coming to this spot was not the best idea today.

I close the book and lean my head against the tree bark. I’m on the mountain where I’d fallen the other day. My eyes fly open, and I see the broken piece of rock that caused me to stumble and fall.

I had planned to come here to overcome my fear, but since arriving, I’ve been unable to walk anywhere near the cliff. Anytime I try, my entire body freezes and quivers. As painful as it is, with time, I hope to look over the cliff like I enjoyed as a child.

Don’t stand so close to the edge, Penny.

A small smile crosses my face as I hear Liam’s voice in my head. The smile falls and my stomach drops as I doubt there is a path for him and me at this time, if the way he acted the other day is any indication. He was cold and standoffish.

My thoughts jump to Andrew, and a sharp pain squeezes my heart. What I did was callous, yet I know I’d do it again. It was the right thing; I just wish I had gone about it differently. I can only pray that he will find it in his heart to forgive me.

Frustrated, I toss my book on the ground beside me. There’s no point trying to read when my mind is stuck in the past.

“Rescued by your brother’s best friend, huh?” a familiar voice says from beside me. “I thought it was your best friend.”

My head whips to the side, and I see Liam standing looking down at me, with a grin on his face. The twinkle in his eyes is reminiscent of the Liam I knew before the military and it’s making my stomach flutter. I rush to my feet, surprised to see him here and notice Tex is sniffing the bushes behind him.

“Liam?”

“The one and only,” he smiles. My shock of seeing him here turns into bewilderment at seeing a smile on his face. The few times I’ve seen him since he’s been home he’s felt closed off to me, especially the other day.

“Once is a coincidence,” he says and I giggle. “Twice is what?”

“Feels a bit lucky.” I smile, and sit back on the ground gesturing to the spot beside me. “Will you sit?”

He lets go of Tex’s leash, and the excited dog runs wild. We both laugh at his goofiness and return our attention to each other. Liam picks up the book.

“You still read these cheesy novels?” He asks, flipping through the pages.

“And what about you?” I tease, and nudge him. “Do you still play your cheesy video games?”

He sighs, and his eyes shadow for a moment. “I can’t remember the last time I played one.”

“Priorities,” I say softly.

“Maybe.” He shrugs, and sets the book down. “What are you doing here?”

“I came here to think,” I tell him. “My mom and sister are over at my house, and I was a bit overwhelmed. I came here to clear my mind.”

Liam chuckles. “You’re the only woman I know who hikes for fun. Do you know how tasking and stressful this climb is?”

“I don’t feel it anymore,” I laugh. “I’ve been doing it for so long.”

“Don’t forget you hiked with your wedding dress on, and without shoes.” He laughs, and rolls his eyes.

Remembering the event of a few days ago, I feel my face getting warm. “Yeah, that was not the smartest. I suffered the aftermath and couldn’t walk properly for days. My feet are still sore.”

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