Page 121 of Tell Me It’s Right

“Let me finish.”

I pinch my lips together and nod.

“I don’t like this. But I also…” He meets my eyes again and sighs. “But I also trust you with my life. And sometimes I forget that Gracie isn’t a kid anymore who needs me to look out for her. I want her to be happy, and I want you to be happy. And if this is what does it… I don’t know if this is ever not going to feel weird, but I’m going to try to get used to it.”

I crack half a smile. “Did Keava write that script for you?”

He rubs his eyes. “We came up with a few different ones.”

“Is she here?”

“She’s waiting in the car.”

I chuckle, and when he lowers his hand, he’s smiling too.

“I’m sorry about the way you found out. I wanted to be the one to tell you. And I wish I’d done it sooner?—”

“I know it’s not your fault. She told me she asked you not to.” His eyes flick to the shop behind me. “I’m sorry about some of the things I said.”

I shrug.

“No, really, Liam. I didn’t mean…obviously I know that you’re not…” He scratches at the back of his neck as he fights for words. “I was being selfish.”

I blink and shake my head. “No, Leo?—”

“No, I was,” he insists. “I didn’t realize it in the moment, but I think what I was really worried about was if this doesn’t end well, then what am I supposed to do in that position? I’ve always been on your side, but I’ve also always been on Gracie’s. And if the two of you don’t work out, that won’t be an option anymore.”

“I can’t speak for Gracie, but I’m pretty sure she’d agree that we’d never want you to pick sides if it came to that, Leo. But I know it’s an awkward position to put you in. I’m sorry.” Slowly, I rise from my chair and offer my hand. “So we’re good?”

We shake hands, but he tightens his grip before I can let go. He stares at me, hard. More serious than I ever think I’ve seen him, at least when it comes to me. “Don’t think just because we’re friends that I won’t kill you if you hurt her.”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”

Chapter Forty-One

GRACIE

Carson pulls into a spot down the street from Brooks Tattoos and shifts the car into park. For one of the first times this summer, our days off lined up, so we spent the afternoon lying out on the beach and then binge-watching old reality shows we loved in high school. I’m a little sunburned and still fighting my way out of a food coma from the amount of chips and guac we consumed, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say as I gather my bag and jacket sitting at my feet.

She smiles, her cheeks also looking crisp and red. It’s less noticeable on her though. Maybe it’s having less contrast with her hair so dark, or it’s because she already had a much better base tan than I did. “Tell Liam you need days off more often. This was fun.”

I snort.

“I’m serious! What’s the point of banging your boss if you don’t abuse the perks?”

“I—we are not?—”

Carson pats me on the head. “We both know you are.”

I scowl, but before I have a chance to reach for the door, my phone rings.

I fish it out of my pocket and almost let it go to voicemail when I see it’s an unsaved number, but something about it makes me pause. “Is 267 a Philly area code?”

“Yeah, why?”

I turn the phone to Carson. “It might be one of those jobs I applied for.”

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