Page 35 of Divine

“I want you to come inside. I miss your companionship. I miss talking to you. I miss hearing you sing all those old TV show theme songs when you don’t think anyone is paying attention. I miss you making me laugh and smile without really trying. I miss your friendship. If I have to apologize a thousand times, I will. I just want my friend back.”

Fuck.

As an only child, I spent a lot of time being entertained by the TV. My parents’ volatile relationship had caused me to pick up all kinds of coping mechanisms. My constant companion gave me one that seemed to stand the test of time.

Divine might have been one of the only people to pick up on the fact that I was always singing TV theme songs during an awkward silence. It wasn’t the silence that prompted my singing. It was my nerves. TV was a welcomed distraction, even when I wasn’t watching.

I knew I was a goner when I stood up to talk to her, but I never expected for her to tug at my heartstrings the way she did. Hell, I didn’t even know I had heartstrings until a few seconds ago. Divine’s little ass was playing them muthafuckas like a violin, and she knew it. I wanted to give in. Still, I had to stand my ground. I wasn’t going out like that.

“I hear you.” I finally responded.

Her pretty brown eyes watered, and I wanted to jump over the counter and pull her into my arms. I wanted to apologize for hurting her feelings, but I knew deep down that I was right to stand on business. Divine needed to know I wasn’t going to let her toy with me like she did her brothers and probably every other man who she had ever encountered. Picking up the plate, I walked back over to the wicker sofa and had a seat.

“Thank you for the food, Divine,” I said as I got comfortable on the couch.

“Liam, please.”

“Please what? What do you want from me?” I asked her, lifting my brows.

“Let me make it right,” she suggested, walking around the bar to stand between me and the TV.

“How do you plan on doing that?”

“I don’t know. I just can’t stomach having you mad with me.”

“I’m not mad.”

“Now who’s the liar?” she quizzed.

“What do you want me to say, Divine? You know what you did wrong. Neither of us have a time machine, so I don’t know what to tell you.”

“Are you always so fucking stubborn?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest.

“Is this your idea of making it up to me? I’m just asking.”

“I know that it’s going to take time, but from where I’m standing, all we have is time.”

“Divine, all I ask is that you be honest with me. That’s all.”

“I can do that.” She nodded.

“Good. If I’m going to protect you, I have to know what to protect you from. I need to know where you are and what you have going on. I know how not to intrude, Divine. You have to trust me the way you claim you want me to trust you.”

“Got it. Well, you should know that I’m seeing someone,” she mentioned.

“I think that was obvious when I rolled up on you while you were on a date.”

“I want to be open with you about it, Liam. I have only mentioned him to my girls. I figure the more people I tell the more I jinx it. Since I consider you one of the girls, I should have told you too.”

Biting back a smile, I pointed a finger at her. “Don’t push it,” I warned her.

“I miss seeing you smile, Lee Lee. You’re so adorable.” She cooed.

“You really think I’m a stuffed animal, don’t you?”

“A mean one, but yes.” She grinned.

“How am I mean when you’re the one who did something to me?”

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