Page 58 of I’d Never Date my Best Friend…Again

I turn to look into the coffee shop. It’s like someone hit the pause button. Everyone inside has stopped to watch the exchange between us. A tingling sweeps up the back of my neck and across my face.

“I’m sorry.” When Andrew slips into his car. This time, I let him go.

My body suddenly goes cold, heat creeps up my neck and my face feels like it’s on fire. I’m tempted to skip grabbing a coffee at all, but instead, I take a deep breath and pull my shoulders back.

It’s not because of Barb’s coffee or Stacy’s breakfast. It’s because I can’t keep running away forever. I made a mistake. The entire town knows about it. I can’t change it. Only time will help the situation to pass.

I push the door open and walk into the coffee shop, the bells overhead announcing my entrance. I smile at anyone who catches my eye and greet them.

When I get to the counter, I greet the cashier and place my orders. I pay and then find my way to Stacy’s office, sighing with relief when I turn down the hallway away from prying eyes.

Stacy is busy at her desk when I walk in, and I’m thankful she didn’t witness my exchange with Andrew. I’m sure she’ll hear about it later. I place her breakfast on her desk and she looks up at me.

“Are you okay?” Stacy asks, frowning at me. “You look pale.”

“Pale?” I touch my face and shake my head like I don’t know what she’s talking about. “I’m good.”

“Are you sure?” She narrows her eyes at me. “You know you can talk to me, right?”

I nod, but stay silent. The hurt I saw concealed beneath layers of frost in Andrew’s eyes has my stomach roiling. He has every reason to be upset with me, and I have no right to feel like a victim.

I think Stacy is going to let it go, but then she asks me the dreaded question. “It’s about Liam, isn’t it?”

My mouth falls open, and I snap it shut. She doesn’t know how far off she is.

She continues as if I had no reaction. "How long are you going to hide this friendship from everyone? Do you really think no one has noticed? What are you going to do about this “friendship” when Andrew gets back?"

My eyes widen, and I stare at Stacy, confused by her question. “What friendship?”

“Your friendship with Liam, Penny.”

I'm doing everything I can to hold back tears. Seeing Andrew today for the first time since I left him at the altar makes the gravity of the choice I made crash down on me. Maybe I don't deserve to be happy with Liam after what I put Andrew through.

“I have to go to work. I’ll see you later.”

I rush out of Stacy’s office, grab my order, and head to my car to find several missed calls from Barb. I text back to let her know I’m on my way before starting the car and driving away from the coffee shop.

I look at the clock and see that it’s two. Usually, I’m very active in the library, but today, it’s nearly impossible to think about anything other than my encounter with Andrew. I can’t help but question everything I’ve done for the last month. What type of person leaves a man at the altar only to find themselves with another?

A horrible one, that’s who.

I stop sorting the books from the drop off and look at my phone. To my disappointment, Andrew hasn’t responded to the text I sent asking if we could meet up today. It shows he’s read my message, and several times, I saw the text bubble appear, only to disappear immediately after. I can imagine him typing a volatile response to me, only to delete it before he hits send.

“Penny?” Someone nudges me, and I look up to see Barb beside me, her forehead drawn with worry.

“I’m sorry,” I force a smile. “Did you need me?”

“What’s wrong?” She asks. “I’ve never seen you like this.”

“Like what?”

“Distracted,” she says. “Worried. Pale.”

I wave her off. “I’m fine, Barb.”

Just then, my phone pings. I scramble for the device, only to feel disappointed when I see the text isn’t from Andrew. I sigh and slip the phone into my pocket.

Barb’s frown deepens. “Yes,” she says. “Something is definitely wrong.”

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