Page 113 of Doctor Everything

He nodded, gray eyes fixed on me. “I’m fine.”

I swallowed, dread filling me. This felt like an end. And I didn’t want any endings where Liam was concerned.

“H-how are you always so calm?”

A sad smile stretched his lips. “I’m not.”

I smiled back and waited.

Maybe he’d touch me. Give me a peck on the forehead. A gentle squeeze of my hand.

Anything.

Seconds passed.

Nothing happened.

He just stared at me intently, as if to make sure I was okay.

I forced a smile and opened the door. “Good night, Liam.”

I didn’t wait for his response. My feet hit the sidewalk and I moved to Linea’s door. Then I paused and turned.

Liam’s truck was still there. He looked at me, brows furrowed.

For some reason, my chin started to tremble and my heart hammered. I ducked my head and knocked. Linea opened the door so fast, it was as though she had been waiting for me.

“Oh, Ava.”

I let her pull me into her arms.

“I messed up.” My voice was muffled against her shoulder.

“Hey, it’s okay.” She ran her hands down my hair and back.

I pulled in a deep breath, willing myself to believe it.

Seconds passed before the familiar rumble of Liam’s truck kicked up. I stood straighter and looked toward the door. The sound carried for a bit, then faded.

I squeezed my eyelids shut and forced the tears back. I was my choice to stay at Linea’s.

“Come on.” Linea looped her arm through mine and pulled me into her home.

I followed, only finding the strength to shuffle one foot in front of the other.

Linea eased me into a chair by the kitchen table. “Hungry?”

“Yeah, we didn’t even get to eat dinner.”

“Yikes,” Linea muttered. She moved around the kitchen, then stopped. “So, it looks like I don’t have any real food. Just ice cream.”

“That’s fine.”

“Cool.”

A tub of ice cream appeared in front of me with a spoon sticking out of it. I dug in and filled my mouth with the cold chocolate caramel treat.

I could have been eating dirt for all I knew. Instead of enjoying the yummy deliciousness, all I could do was replay through my head the terrible evening I’d experienced.

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