“Did he tell you he would be?” Liv pulled the blanket up to her chest.
“He mentioned tomorrow,” Bryce said, his voice soft, even, and resigned, like that would lessen the blow. “He’s got an early meeting in the morning, so he decided not to drive back tonight.”
He’d also decided to use Bryce and Zane as his messengers. Hurt, confusion, and anger competed for her heart.
“That’s good. His not driving at night.” She glanced at the small portable table beside the bed, but her cell wasn’t there.
“Want some water?” Zane stood and moved toward her.
“Yes, thanks. Is my purse somewhere?” Maybe Danny left her a text. Or five.
Zane poured her a cup of water from the plastic pitcher on the rollaway table while Bryce stepped over to the narrow closet near the door. “It’s in here,” he said. “You want it?”
“Yes, please.”
She sipped some water then pulled her cell from her bag. No messages. No missed calls. Her face must have said it all because Bryce sat on one side of the bed, Zane the other, and they both said a crapload without uttering a word.
Sorry.
Give him time.
He’s an idiot. That from Bryce. She gave him a weak smile.
“I love him,” she blurted out.
“We know,” Zane said.
“No. I mean I’m in love with him.”
“It’s about time you figured that out.” Bryce said.
Her jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“Come on, Linc. You weren’t trying to keep it a secret, were you?”
She glared at Bryce. “Danny doesn’t love me the same way.”
“Sure he does. He’s just too stubborn to admit it.”
Stubborn about a lot of things. Determined, too. She admired that about him. He’d set his mind on a new business and it had taken off. That’s what he really wanted. A successful working life. Not a family. He didn’t love her the way she wanted to be loved. If he did, he’d be the one sitting in the hospital room with her.
Neither she nor Danny had been looking for a mistake, but that’s what had happened. And if they had any hope of salvaging their relationship, she had to move on—and out of his house—so they could go back to the way things were. If she lost her best friend because of this, the splintering in her heart would never heal.
“He’ll come around, Linc,” Bryce said.
“No, he won’t. I pushed him too far, and we crossed a line we shouldn’t have. I’m perfectly capable of being on my own.” She’d stood up to her ex and she could stand up to her parents and anyone else who cast pity or unwelcome stares at her. She was through thinking her misplaced decisions defined her. The Olivia who had jumped on a plane to London all by herself was back with a vengeance.
Bryce opened his mouth to say something, but a nurse walked in with the portable machine that took vitals. “Sorry to interrupt, but I need a minute with the patient.”
The guys got to their feet. “No problem,” Bryce said. Then to Liv, “We’ll check in with you later.”
“Thanks for being here.”
Zane kissed her forehead. “It’s gonna be okay.”
Liv pressed her lips together in what she hoped was a convincing smile and watched them walk out. The nurse reported that Liv’s temperature and blood pressure were normal. She helped Liv to the bathroom and Liv was happy to relay that the dizziness had disappeared.
“I almost forgot,” the nurse said on her way out of the room, “this card was left for you.” She pulled a yellow envelope out of her scrubs pocket and handed it to Liv.
Liv knew immediately who had left it. As soon as the nurse closed the door, she pulled out the card. A photograph of her favorite flowers decorated the front and inside Danny’s neat writing filled one half of the blank paper.
Dear Liv,
I’d follow you anywhere. You know I would. But I can’t follow you this time because I’m not the guy who gets to keep you. It killed me today, seeing you hurt, and it opened my eyes to the future. A future that’s already started whether I like it or not. What’s to come is on me, Maybug, and no one else.
I don’t regret crossing the line with you, but if we keep doing this, I will regret it one day, and the last thing I want is to feel sorry for getting to have you—all of you—for a little while. You’re above and beyond special and beautiful and one day you’ll find the man to make all your dreams come true. I hope I’m there to see it.
Still best friends?
Danny
Liv swiped at the tears sliding down her cheeks as she read the note again and again, trying to digest everything Danny had written. Avoiding her was a chickenshit thing to do, and she wanted to slug him. At the same time, though, she wanted to wrap him in her arms and have her say. In typical Danny fashion, he’d decided to disregard her feelings, thinking he knew what was best. She hated that he did that. More than anything she wanted to take care of him. Be there for every good thing and bad.