Page 82 of Covetous

Folding and refolding her napkin until it becomes a tiny square, Liv finally says, “I owe you an apology.” Her voice is barely audible over the din of the bar.

I shake my head. “No you don’t.”

“Yes. I do. Some of the things I last said to you—and about you to Esme when she called and told me about the texts…”

“I get it. I do.” My voice breaks, and I swallow hard, trying to keep the tears at bay.

“I knew you slept with him.”

I wince, remembering how I lied to her face about sleeping with Victor.

Her lip twitches. “You’ve never been a good liar.”

“I know.”

“I was comparing your situation with me and my ex. But it wasn’t the same. You’re not him, and neither is Victor. Y’all fell in love.” She shrugs as tears swim in her eyes. “Neither of you meant for it to happen. It just did.”

“We didn’t. But we hurt her, Liv. We never wanted that. I swear to God.” Tears spill down my cheeks faster than I can wipe them away, my words coming out broken. Coming around the table, Liv gives me a hug. “She was my—” A choked sob escapes my throat, barely intelligible. “—my best friend. And now she’s gone, Liv. She’s… gone.”

“What happened with the three of you…it was a fucking mess from the start. But you’re not a bad person. Neither is he. And neither was Esme. But Ian? Fuck that guy. I know he hit you, and I know Esme slept with him, trying to get back at you.”

My eyes wide, I stare at her. “She told you about that?”

Nodding, her expression is serious. “And I went off on her for fucking him. Trust. But I didn’t cut her off like I did with you.”

“I’ve missed you,” I whisper.

“I’ve missed you too.” Tears shine in Liv’s eyes, and a few escape, sliding down her cheeks. She swipes at them with her napkin, laughing a little. “Fuck, this is hard.”

“Yeah, it is.” I grab my own napkin and dab at my face, but it’s useless. The tears just keep coming.

She squeezes my hand, holding on tight. “Life is too damn short. We can’t take each other for granted.”

Her words hit me hard. “I miss her, Liv. I miss her so fucking much.” A broken sob tears from my throat, and I bury my face in my hands, my shoulders shaking with the force of my grief.

Liv cries beside me, fanning herself with her napkin. “I told myself I wasn’t gonna cry anymore today. I’m not hydrated enough to handle it, not with all the booze I’m about to drink.”

Laughter bubbles up through my tears at Liv’s weak attempt at a joke, and she joins in, our laughter mingling with our sobs.

Desperate to lighten the mood, I ask, “I saw Smith with you today. He your man yet?”

“That would be a hell yes,” she admits, a smitten smile playing on her lips. Her eyes sparkle as she adds, “He flies to LA almost every weekend to see me.”

“Liv’s got a man,” I sing-song, my voice teasing as I nudge her with my elbow.

Rolling her eyes, Liv can’t hide her smile. “Oh, God. Now you sound just like Esme.”

“I mean, it’s been a minute since you’ve been in a relationship. I’m happy for you, girl.” I reach out and squeeze her hand, my heart swelling with joy for my other best friend.

“I really love him, Sky.” Liv’s voice softens, a shy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“Aww, Liv.” I touch my hand to my chest.

“He wants to marry me.”

“What?” I turn to face her fully, looking down at her bare finger. “For real?”

She nods, twisting her hands in her lap. “I told him no—more like, not yet. Even though it feels like I’ve known him forever, it’s only been like…five minutes.” She shrugs, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. “His parents probably won’t be on board—his mama already said as much. But we don’t care. He already his dad that I’m the love of his life. And they’re just going to have to deal with it or not deal with him at all.”

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