Page 96 of Chasing After Forever

“Will do. And thanks.” I smiled at him, feeling a tiny bit better. I was glad to have my cousin in my corner at least.

* * *

Despite Macy’s request,I didn’t let up, still delivering flowers to her every day. And chocolates, fruit baskets, specialty popcorn, jewelry—if it could be sent, I sent it. I signed every noteAll my love, Liam,and hoped she wasn’t giving everything away, but I had no way of knowing.

I lingered outside my apartment door for as long as humanly possible without seeming creepy, but never managed to run into her. It was like she had a sixth sense, avoiding me at all costs.

I didn’t go to the diner or the Rowdy again. That hadn’t worked out well and the last thing I wanted to do was cause Macy more pain. She’d been abundantly clear she wanted me to stay away, so I respected that.

Even though it was a damn near impossible ask.

I worked a lot of hours at the store, hung out with my cousins, and coded Benji’s winery app at night. Anything to keep me busy and my mind off Macy.

Buzz, buzz.My cell vibrated in my pocket. Probably another spam message about my non-existent extended car warranty.

I finished ringing up Mrs. Klein and bagging her groceries, then wished her a good day before checking my messages.

You have a new test result.

Oh.

OH.

I stared down at the message, my hand shaking, my heart racing faster than a racecar at the track.

This was it.My future literally hung in the balance of this test.

Swallowing hard over the gigantic lump in my throat, I clicked on the text, typing in my username and password. Then I waited, watching a tiny blue circle of bubbles swirl in a vortex, acid rising in my throat.

Maybe I should sit down for this.

With no chair in sight, I leaned against the counter instead, nearly hyperventilating.

Ring, ring.The front door chimes rang out and my head jerked up, hot panic rising inside me. I desperately wanted to be alone in this moment, but too late for that now.

“Hey, Liam!” Everly gave me a cheery wave. At least one sister didn’t hate my guts.

“Hey,” I said, my voice coming out strangled. I wanted to shove my cell in my pocket but didn’t want to risk losing the test result.

“What’s up? How are you?” She sidled over to the counter, her hips swaying back and forth. Obviously not in a rush.

“Uh, I’m fine. Can I help you find something?”

“Me? Pfft. I know this store like the back of my hand. I mainly popped in to say hi and ask you what the hell you’re doing with my sister.”

That caught me off-guard.

“What do you mean?” I asked, meeting her gaze while palming my phone behind my back.

“I mean, you’re sending her stuff, but that’s it. No calls. No texts. What the hell, Liam? I told you—go big or go home. Obviously, you have some work to do in the boyfriend department.”

“Well,” I said, my face burning, “she asked me to leave her alone. I’m trying to respect her wishes, her boundaries.”

“No, no, no,” Everly said, shaking her head. “That’s not going to work at all. She needs you to make an effort, keep coming ‘round. Persevere.”

“With all due respect, Everly, I don’t think that’s what your sister wants. She was pretty clear on that.”

“Gawd, men.” She rolled her eyes at me, popping a hand on her hip.

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