Page 10 of Revived

My eyes flick over to Rachel, who’s just chuckling at Cash. “He’s quite dramatic, apparently,” she says with a grin.

“You have no idea,” Piper adds, rolling her eyes. “Anyway, Luke, this is my best friend Rachel from back home in New York. Rachel, it seems you’ve already met Luke. And Grayson,” she exclaims.

“Nice to meet you again.” I reach out to shake her hand, and even though we did this yesterday, she was wearing gloves, so I didn’t get to feel the softness and warmth of her skin. But now that our palms are touching, tiny flurries of electricity scurry up my arm from my fingertips to my brain, igniting an alarming response to how right her hand feels in mine.

Fuck, this isn’t good.

“Likewise. Although, after yesterday, I have to say I’m really excited about this opportunity. I had the best time with Grayson.” Her cheeks fill out as she smiles over at me.

“Yeah, the kid is a hoot.”

“I’ll say. He was so sweet and fun. And I’m not going to lie… leaving him yesterday made me incredibly sad at the idea that I’d never see him again.”

I can’t help the corner of my mouth lifting slightly at her words. “Yeah, he was bummed too. After we left, he kept asking if he’d see you again, and of course, I gave him a vague answer. I honestly never imagined you would be the person Cash said could help me out.”

I turn back over to look at Cash and Piper, both of them watching us interact with shit-eating grins on their faces.

“What?” I ask a little too harshly as Cash takes a sip from his coffee. Apparently while Rachel and I were speaking, he picked up their order from the counter.

“Nothing. Look…” He sits forward in his chair, dispersing the drinks to the girls before he continues. “Luke, you need help right now. And Rachel is free, not to mention, obviously already loves your son.”

“It’s easy to fall in love with Grayson,” Piper interjects as Rachel nods in agreement.

“So, let her help you, man. I know you have a lot on your plate, especially after what happened with your mom yesterday…”

“How’s she doing by the way?” Rachel interrupts him, pulling my attention back to her.

“She’s having surgery tomorrow.”

“Where is Grayson right now?” Piper asks before taking a bite of her blueberry muffin.

“He’s with Clara and Cooper.”

Cash starts laughing beside me. “Oh, I bet Cooper was coerced into that one.”

“What are you trying to say?” I get defensive, even though I know Cash is joking.

“Nothing. I just know how pushy Clara is, so I’m sure he had to go along with that decision regardless of his reservations.”

“She has become more strong-willed lately, hasn’t she?” Piper adds.

“Pregnancy hormones will do that to you. I remember when Hannah…” I stop myself before I share too much. An instant pain clouds my head and heart as I casually mention Hannah in conversation. It happens sometimes without me thinking, and I try not to dwell on it. But she was a part of my life and Grayson’s, although briefly, so it’s natural to want to talk about her. Though I really try to avoid doing so because it makes me feel exactly how I do right now—like everyone’s giving me their pity, casting a haze of sorrow around us.

“Anyway,” Cash slices through my moment as I sip my coffee, thankful he saw that I was having a moment of panic. “It seems our need for introduction was short-lived. Come on babe, let’s go get the grocery shopping done and then enjoy the rest of our day off.” Cash moves to stand and then reaches out for Piper’s hand.

Piper is a nurse at the hospital and Cash still works for the sheriff’s department. They both go days without seeing each other, so I know they try to spend their days off with one another as much as possible.

“You okay, Rach?” Piper asks her, giving me a quick glance before focusing back on her bright eyes.

“Yeah, I’m good. I drove my own car, remember, so don’t worry. I’ll see you guys at home,” she smiles up at her friend before turning back to me.

“Thanks again you two. I’ll see you soon.” I reach out to shake Cash’s hand.

“Yes. Let’s do dinner one night next week,” Piper offers.

“Sounds good.”

I watch Cash and his fiancé walk out of the shop, smiling instinctually for my friend who vowed never to fall in love.

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