Page 35 of Summertime Friends

“Is that a statement or a question?”

“I don’t know. What should it be?”

“It’s not that I’m not sad; trust me, I am. Maybe relieved is a more accurate way to describe how I feel.” The honesty of what I just told him is chilling. I think I felt this way yesterday but was avoiding it. I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but now I have—and to a semi-stranger, semi-guy I’m undeniably attracted to and spent an incredible, unexpected night with. “IloveNatalie. Don’t misread this. We’ve been together since we were children. She’s just. . . we’re opposites.”

“How so?” Liam inquisitively asks.

“Let’s say if she were here, you’d be sitting with her instead of me.”

“Doubtful.”

I tilt my head, narrowing in on him. Quickly, I’ve learned that Liam doesn’t say something unless he means it.

“Anyway. This whole summer was originally her idea, but most of it was spent with her pining for others instead of seeing it together.”

“And what do you call last night and this morning?”

“I was not pining after you!”

“I would love to agree to disagree, but States, even a blind man would know that you were devouring me with your eyes.”

“You didn’t seem to mind.” I challenge him.

“I never mind when it’s a beautiful woman.”

“You are so full of yourself.”

“You could have been.” He takes a sip of his black coffee. I choke on mine. “Tell me more about—”

“Natalie.” He nods. Good, moving away from that topic. I tell Liam how we met and a few stories that help paint the picture of her and us as kids. “Growing up, she was Miss Big Ideas, and I was Miss Get Shit Done. We still are. When Natalie spews an idea, they are mostly thought out. . . for the most part.” I laugh a little, reminiscing. I take a drink of my black coffee. “They include photos, outfits, a diagram, or whatever she may need to convince me the idea is great. She gave me a full outline when she hadthe idea for this. I made it happen while finishing up our spring semester. I think that’s why she told me to stay.” Or at least I’m telling myself not to feel guilty about being okay with her gone.

I take another drink of my coffee, longer this time. Realizing that I’m word vomiting and should probably stop.

“How thoughtful of her to add staring at a stranger at a coffee shop to the outline. You executed that plan brilliantly.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Wasn’t on her outline. It was on mine.”

“Oh really?” His eyebrows shoot up.

“No,” I reply blankly, trying to avoid his flirting attempts.

“You shouldn’t feel bad about wanting to stay,” Liam admits softly and comfortingly.

“I didn’t say I felt bad about it.” My brow furrows slightly.

“States, your body language is saying it all. Your shoulders are tense. You keep looking down at your coffee, your brow pinches, and you keep biting the side of your cheek.”

“I didn’t realize you were paying that close attention to me.” I really didn’t, and now. . . now I want to know what else he noticed.

“Get used to it.” He says it as if it’s a promise. A promise I’m not sure I want him to keep.

What am I getting used to, Liam Hayes?

17

LIAM

Six Summers Ago

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