Page 7 of Just Like This
“I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with this alone. I’m here now, so feel free to lean on me.”
“I wasn’t alone. I had Valerie. And your mom and dad.”
Palmer stuck his hand into the soapy water and grasped mine. “Still, I’m here now.”
Nervously, I looked around, but we were completely alone. He had me cornered, and I had an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. I slipped my hand from his and placed it on the edge of the sink.
“Cami, I want you to finally give me a chance.” His voice was low and pleading.
“Palmer ...” I hated that I was about to let him down. Again.
“Please, Cami.”
I sighed and took the risk of looking him in the eye. “I’m sorry, Palmer.” I wanted him to be my best friend, not my boyfriend. How could he not understand this after all these years?
“Is there someone else?”
“No, there’s not.”Though there’s thehopeof someone else.The blissful idea of someone else filled me with excitement.
“Then tell me why, Cami. One reason and I’ll leave you alone forever.”
My eyes closed, and I tried to think of a more compelling reason that would keep him from his continued pursuit. “I just don’t feel anything for you beyond friendship. I’m sorry, Palmer.” I reached up to place a hand on his arm, but he pulled away with a scowl. Silently, we stood there in the kitchen at an impasse before he walked away without saying another word.
In the reflection of the kitchen window, I saw Garrett standing in the doorway. Palmer must not have seen him when he left the room. I spun on my heel to face Garrett. I wanted to ask him how much of our conversation he had heard. Instead, he held up a black canvas bag and said, “I forgot something.” For a long, tense second, we stared at one another before either of us had the courage to say something.
“How long will you be gone?” I asked nervously.
“I don’t know,” he answered gruffly.
“Oh. Well, maybe when you come back, we can get together.” I shuffled my feet, kicking at the invisible dirt on the floor before I dared to meet his gaze.
A smile ghosted his lips. “Sure,” he answered, his voice nothing more than a hoarse whisper. I bit down hard on my lip to prevent myself from grinning with excitement. He left me with one last smoldering gaze that weakened my knees.
