Page 39 of Reclaimed Roots

Then, after a fortifying breath, I let myself out of the apartment and began the long, lonely trek back to my mother's house.

The morning sun was obnoxiously bright, and the chirping birds were far too cheerful for my liking. A few early risers were out jogging or walking their dogs, but for the most part, the town was still sleepy and peaceful.

I wished I could say the same for my racing thoughts.

Images from last night kept flashing through my mind like some mortifying highlight reel. The burn of the whiskey going down, Chase's arm around my shoulders, his lips on mine. The shock on Jasper's face, the way he stormed out of the bar without a backward glance.

I knew Chase hadn't meant any harm. He's always been aflirt, always pushed boundaries. But last night, he crossed a line.

And Jasper, seeing the betrayal in his eyes, the way his jaw clenched and his fists balled at his sides, it gutted me. I wanted to run after him right then and explain that it wasn't what it looked like. That Chase caught me off guard, but I didn't want his kiss or his advances.

That the only person I wanted was Jasper.

The memory of admitting that out loud made me want to shrivel up and die right there on the pristine Sable Point sidewalks. Jasper wasn't my boyfriend. Hell, I wasn't even sure he was my friend.

None of that stopped me from chasing after him last night. But I was too slow, too unsteady on my feet. And by the time I caught up to him, babbling apologies and pleas, he was already shutting down. Closing himself off in that way he does when he's hurt and angry.

The only bright spot in the whole disastrous night was Jasper coming to my rescue when I tripped and fell. The tenderness in his touch as he cleaned my scraped hand, the concern in his voice when he asked if I was okay.

It gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, he still cared. That there was something left between us.

Lost in my swirling thoughts, I almost didn't notice the unfamiliar car parked in my mother's driveway. It wasn't until I was a few feet away that I recognized it. The sight was almost too much for my roiling stomach, and a sour spike of bile rose in my throat.

Liam's sleek black Audi.

Shit.He must have driven in from Chicago to surprise me for the weekend. And now he was probably wondering where the hell I was all night while he sat around waiting for me.

My feet felt like lead weights as I climbed the porch steps and let myself into the house. The TV was playing softly in the living room, some mindless morning talk show. I followed the sound, mentally composing explanations and apologies.

Sure enough, there was Liam, perched on the edge of the sofa like he was ready to bolt at any moment. He looked up as I entered, relief and concern warring on his handsome face.

"Nat! Thank God." He rose to greet me, arms outstretched, but I held up a hand to stop him. I couldn't deal with his touch right now, not when my skin was still crawling from Chase's unwanted kiss. Not when all I could think about was Jasper's gentle hands on me.

"Liam, what are you doing here?" My voice came out tired and strained.

He frowned, hurt clouding his blue eyes. "I wanted to surprise you. I know how hard these last couple weeks have been, sorting things out at your dad's firm. I thought we could spend some quality time together, help take your mind off things."

I closed my eyes briefly. This was going to suck. But I couldn't keep stringing him along, not when my heart clearly belonged to someone else.

"Liam, we need to talk."

His frown deepened, but he nodded, sinking back ontothe couch. I perched beside him, careful to keep a bit of distance between us.

"I'm sorry," I began, my voice soft but steady. "I should've done this sooner, before you drove all the way up here. But last night made me realize some things. Things I've been trying to ignore or deny for a long time."

Liam went still beside me, his posture stiff. "What kind of things?"

I forced myself to look him in the face. He deserved that much, at least.

"The truth is, being back here, it brought up a lot of old feelings, and I can't ignore them anymore."

"Feelings about what?"

I chewed on my bottom lip, unsure how much information to divulge.

Liam's eyes were wide with concern and a hint of fear as he asked, "Where were you last night, Natalie? I got here and your mom said you were out with a friend. She went to bed, and I fell asleep on the couch. When I woke up and you still weren't here, I thought... Oh god, did you cheat on me?"

"No! No, I swear." The memory of Chase's lips on mine flashed through my mind and I winced. "Well..."

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