Page 61 of Love in the Storm

“You can’t sit a while this morning?” Kendra questioned.

“Nah. I have to run.”

Kendra chuckled. “Fun stuff, huh? A dollar fifty.”

Asa pulled his wallet from his pocket. “Always.”

“How’s your mom and boy?” Kendra asked.

“Good as gold.”

Kendra handed him a to-go cup. “You tell Betty I said hello.”

“I will.”

Lyric stayed still as Asa walked around her to the drink station and filled his cup. A few seconds later, he was walking past her toward the door.

“Thanks, Kendra.”

“Anytime.” She waved and turned to grab an order from the ready bar.

He stopped and turned to Lyric. “It was good to see you.”

Ugh. Could her heart break any more? It was bad enough seeing him, but it made things worse to know he was really a good guy and she hadn’t dreamed it all up.

“You too.”

His gaze darted to the door then back to her as if he wasn’t sure which way to turn. Finally, he turned toward the door and walked out. The stupid cheerful bell chimed at his exit.

When Kendra returned after dropping off the order, she wrapped an arm around Lyric’s shoulders. “You okay?”

No, she wasn’t okay. She was sad and tired and hurt.

“It’s okay to say no,” Kendra reminded her. One of the best things about having an awesome sponsor like Kendra was that Lyric didn’t have to pretend to always have her act together.

“I missed out on something great because I used to be a screwup. So, no, I’m not okay.”

Kendra wrapped Lyric in a full hug. “I know you really liked him. Maybe there’s still hope for the two of you.”

Lyric pulled away. “I know you want to encourage me, but don’t get my hopes up. I think that dream is dead.”

“Does he have your number?” Kendra asked.

“Yeah.”

“Maybe he’ll call. He’s been busy.”

“He has called.”

Kendra’s eye widened. “Oh, and how did that go?”

Lyric traced the same line in the linoleum countertop. “I haven’t answered.”

“Oh, honey. Talk to him. The next time he calls, just talk to him like you did at the cabin.”

“That time at the cabin was all make-believe. He didn’t know me then.”

“He did know you. He just didn’t know who you used to be. He knew who you are now, and those are two different people.”

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