Page 25 of Versions Of Us

I catch Liv side-eyeing us in my peripheral.

“Nah, don’t be. Everyone there is really easy-going.” He waves a hand, dismissing my self-doubt. “I’ve had a few shifts there now and it’s been great. It can be tough but it’s also rewarding.”

“Well, I guess that’s why we chose this career.” I take a swig of my cappuccino and relish in the taste of the warm liquid as it heats me from the inside out. “Have you studied for the exam tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’m confident but I’ll go over my notes again later today.” Chase’s self-assurance is not surprising to me. The guy is ranking at the top of our class in pretty much everything he does. “Call me if you get stuck on anything. I’d be happy to help.”

“Thanks.”

Harper leans over the counter to take Chase’s order. He purchases a banana muffin and a bottle of water, which she swiftly hands over to him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says with a friendly grin, then he makes his way back outside.

I nod just as Liv’s voice breaks through the air beside me.

“Um, who the hell is that?”

“That’s Chase,” I tell her matter-of-factly. “From uni. I told you about him.”

“That’sChase?” she questions, her mouth agape.

“Yeah. Why are you being weird?”

“Oh, you poor naïve thing,” she says in a mock-condescending tone. “That boy has a thing for you. Like, a major thing.”

“He does not!” I protest, swatting a hand in her direction.

“Really?Call me if you need help with anything.” Liv mimics Chase’s deep voice. “And how does Henley feel about you and Mr. Biceps hanging out and working together?”

“He’s never met him,” I say with a shrug.

Liv’s eyebrows shoot upward. “If I were you, I’d keep it that way.”

Before last night I would have agreed with her. Henley has a jealous streak a mile long that has resulted in multiple fist fights and verbal arguments. But after what he said last night, and from the context of the note he left this morning, I believe he’s ready to put that all behind him.

I shrug off Liv’s assumptions. “Chase is an attractive guy. So what? I’m unavailable.”

“Does Chase know that?”

“Stop!” Her blueberry muffin almost slips from her grasp as I playfully slap her arm. “He knows I’m with Henley.”

“Okay, okay.” Liv holds her free arm up in surrender. “What are your plans for today, anyway?”

“Studying. And then I start at the helpline tonight.”

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot it was tonight!” Liv exclaims. “Goodluck with it. I’m sure you’ll be great.”

“Thanks. I hope so. I’ll catch up with you guys later.” I spin around and throw a wave in Carla’s direction. “See you tomorrow, Carla. Bye, Harper.”

In minutes I’m sliding the key into the front door of my apartment, juggling my coffee cup in hand. The place hasn’t been lived in for days, so it comes as no surprise to me that the air is thick and musty. I open all of the windows and throw in a small load of laundry before opening my textbook and going over some of my notes.

As hard as I try, my brain won’t absorb the information. I’m too focused on one particular external factor.

Henley.

I try his phone again, but there’s no answer. For the millionth time this morning I find myself wondering what this secret errand might be related to.

I consider that it might have something to do with the tavern and Steve’s proposition. Without a second thought, I pull up Steve’s personal mobile number and hit the call button.

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