Page 60 of Love in the Storm

“I can’t pay first and last month’s rent,” Lyric reminded her friend.

“If all else fails, you’ll sleep at my place.”

Lyric kept quiet. Kendra’s daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter were living with her and her husband right now. There wasn’t even a couch open at Kendra’s small house.

As if sensing Lyric’s thoughts, Kendra squeezed the hand she held. “We’ll put an air mattress in the living room.”

Boots thudded against the floor behind Lyric, and she stepped away from the register.

“You two have a good day,” Grady said on his way to the door.

“Bye,” Kendra and Lyric sang in unison.

Lyric turned back to Kendra, leaning in to whisper as the bell above the door chimed at Grady’s exit.

“I think it’s safe to accept the fact that I’m not going to find a place before Friday, but I’m not imposing on you. You have three extra people in your house as it is.”

Kendra’s eyes widened, and Lyric followed the line of her gaze toward the door.

Asa stood as still as a statue less than three feet from her—tall and imposing, as if he owned the place.

Lyric’s face heated, and her lungs constricted in her chest. He’d slipped in when Grady was on his way out, and she hadn’t heard him come in. And from the look on Asa’s face, he’d heard everything.

Embarrassment, shame, and longing warred within her. She’d desperately wanted to see him these past few days, but reality tarnished the desire. Things had changed between them, and they were strangers again.

It was better this way. At least, for him.

It was funny and sad how just a few words could change everything.

Yet, here stood the reminder of all the things she couldn’t have. Lyric had been careful to stay out of relationships since her resolution to stay sober. The program advised against dating within the first year of sobriety. New members were encouraged to focus on their goal and learn to stand on their own before pursuing a relationship. As if a year was enough time for a former alcoholic to learn to stand on her own two feet. Here Lyric was, five years later, and she was still single and newly homeless. She’d done her time, but it hadn’t been enough.

Not only was she homeless, but now Asa knewabout it. Why hadn’t someone told her rock bottom had a basement?

“Morning,” Asa said as he stepped up to the counter.

The heat of his gaze tickled up the side of her neck. She couldn’t look at him. Facing her failures was too hard.

“Morning,” Kendra said in her sweetest voice.

Lyric traced a crack in the linoleum countertop and kept her head down.

“Good morning,” Asa said.

Lyric looked up at him and immediately regretted it. Why did he have to be so handsome? Why did he have to look at her with those kind eyes the way he did when he’d held her in the cabin? Why did he have to be here reminding her of all the things she’d lost?

“Morning,” Lyric whispered.

He leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “How are you?”

“Fine. Thanks for asking. You?”

Asa took a deep breath. “Been better.”

An awkward silence settled in around them. Could this reunion be any worse?

“What can I get you?” Kendra asked.

“Just coffee to go,” Asa said.

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