Page 102 of Beneath the Surface

I tilt my head. “What is, exactly?”

She waves her hand toward me. “Seein’you here. I never thought we’d—” She cuts off mid-sentence, clearing her throat. Her hand reaches out to cover mine on top of the table.

My eyes lock on where we touch, my stomach tensing at the feel.

“It’s real good to have you home again.”

My eyebrow quirks. “Is it?”

She withdraws her hand. “I know it makes Chase happy.”

“And you?”

She swallows. “Of course I’m happy, Lily. You were my best friend, even if at the end, things weren’t so great.”

I scoff, and her eyes narrow.

“I still missed you when you were gone. Before that, if I’m honest.”

“Honesty,” I spit. “What a concept.”

She bites into her lower lip, chewing until it’s red. “Do you really wanna talk about this right now? I mean, I’m game.” She puts her hands out to her sides. “I’m ready to dive in whenever you are, girlfriend, but youjustgot here, and I know things ended up bein’...” She trails off, and my insides tense.

“Ended up being what?”

“Differentthan you expected. You know, with Mason and all.”

My hurt flares to life like a diamond glinting in the sun, and I snap before I can think better of it. “You know nothing about Mason. And you know nothing about what I’ve been through. All you know is the girl I let you know, which, fucking news flash, Lee, wasn’t real.”

Lee’s eyes harden as she leans back in her chair. “Don’t you sit there and pretend like you weren’t true with me, Lily Ann Adams. I know you were.”

My lips curl. “I wasn’t. But you were so busy with yourself you never took the time to see it.”

“Ouch,” she whispers.

My hand presses into my stomach, trying to ease the ache. “Yeah, well.” I shrug.

“Everything okay in here?” Chase’s voice comes from the hallway, a beaming toddler dangling from his hip.

Lee’s eyes bore holes into my face, and I clench my jaw, refusing to meet her gaze, the wounds too fresh from everything that’s gone unsaid. She sighs and stands up, walking next to Chase and squeezing his arm. “Everything is peachy keen, jelly bean. I’m gonna start supper.” She turns toward me. “There are some people who wanna come see you tomorrow for lunch, but if you’re more comfortable with me tellin’ them no, then I will.” She puts her hand on her hip. “I know you may not wanna believe it, Lily, but I love you. I always have, even when we hurt each other. And more than anything else in this world, I want you to feel welcome here.”

Guilt spears my middle, her words slamming against my wall of hurt and making it shake, the edges starting to crumble. But the word love stopped mattering whenMasonshattered what it meant.

I don’t feel like it’s my place to tell themnotto have people come over, so even though the thought of seeing everyone at once makes my nerves tighten and my veins beg for the kind of numb only drugs can provide, I don’t tell them no.

“They can all come. I don’t mind.” I paste a smile on my face. “It will be good to see them. I’m sure we all have things to say.”

* * *

A few hours later,baby Chase and I have settled into the guest bedroom. It’s a temporary situation, obviously, but until I can figure out what to do for money, I’m thankful for the place to stay.

I lean down on the bed, kissing my baby boy’s head as he sleeps, knowing the excitement of the day has knocked him out. After that disastrous first meeting with Lee, I’ve tucked myself away, trying to find some silent moments. But the calm doesn’t stop the thunderclouds from rolling in, and tonight promises rain.

There’s a knock on the door and I walk to it, putting a finger to my mouth when I see Chase, letting him know to stay quiet. I step into the hall, leaving the door slightly ajar.

“Hey,” Chase whispers. “You okay?”

I nod, pulling my hair back into a ponytail. “I’m good, dude. Who all is coming for lunch tomorrow?”

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