Page 62 of Gone for You

The corner of her mouth tips up. “You do?” She asks, excitedly, looking over her shoulder at where I’m staring. I really didn’t mean to admit that out loud but I’m not ashamed of it.

“Yeah, I do. I’m working on it. So why did you guys agree to the party tonight if you wanted something low key? Want me to kick everyone out?” I’m hoping that a change in subject will get her to drop talking about anything regarding Liv and me. I don’t want Liv to hear how I feel from anyone but me.

“Ehh, it’s not a big deal. Everyone wanted to celebrate, I guess, and who am I to tell them no?”

“Olivia told me he’s a football coach?”

“Yup. We met at my cousin Grady and Bri’s wedding, kind of hit it off.”

I gesture to the nicely-sized diamond weighing down her left hand. “Seems that you more than ‘kind of hit it off.’”

She lifts her hand in the air, admiring her ring dramatically. “I suppose you could say that.” She flips her hand around, showing me her ring. “He done good, right?”

I chuckle and examine it for myself. “He did. Not that I would have a clue what a bad one would look like.”

“Well, I don’t care about the ring. It could be poo brown for all I care. I get to be his wife, gift enough for me.”

“You’re so cheesy.”

“I know, right? Love does that to me, I guess. So back to my original question: how are ya?”

“Good. Good. Same ol’.” My eyes flick once more to Olivia then back to Lily. She doesn’t miss it though.

“Gonna hold out for her?”

“Probably forever.”

“Wow. So you really like her, huh?”

“I do. Is this where I get the best friend interrogation?”

“Possibly. Do you have some big and bad skeletons in that closet of yours that you’re hiding?”

“Nope. She knows everything. I won’t break her heart, if that’s what you’re worried about. I know that we have a lot to figure out with her living in Chicago and me here but I’m willing to do that.”

“That’s enough for me.” Her eyes soften and I think she’s about to throw some pity my way because I’m sure she knows how hard of a challenge it will be but then they widen and a giggle erupts out of her throat when a man who looks about five or six years older than me walks up behind her, circling his arms around her waist.

She turns and kisses him on the cheek before returning her attention to me. “Drew, this is Ethan, the owner of this fine establishment. Ethan, Drew, my fiancé.” When she says the word fiancé I’m pretty sure, even in the low lighting of The Goat, I see her face glow.

We shake hands and I extend my congratulations on the engagement before I remember what Liv told me about him. “Congrats on the bowl win, too, man. That was one helluva show you guys gave us. Incredible season.”

“Thank you. Hoping for a repeat this season.”

“I bet. You guys ready for tomorrow?” The Warriors have a home game tomorrow, which is probably why he’s able to come out tonight rather than working and preparing for the game. Well, I assume. I’ve never coached college football so that’s only my guess.

“Yeah. We don’t make any assumptions and even though everyone else is saying it’ll be an easy win, we go in expecting a battle every time.”

Lily grins at her fiancé and he brings her in for a kiss on the cheek.

“I haven’t seen your cousin here,” I mention to Lily, hoping not to sound too much like a fanboy.

“Yeah, his wife just had a baby so they’re home.”

“Ahh. Makes sense.”

I hear a bunch of commotion behind me and Rex hollers my name, reminding me that I own the bar and I’m not here to chit chat. I flip him the middle finger. “I better get back to it. A couple of rock stars thought it’d be cool to have a joint bachelor/bachelorette party here tonight and this place is a zoo.”

They grin. I hug Lily one more time and turn back to the bar. I watch as Lily and Drew struggle their way through the crowd of people to get to their tables of friends. Liv smiles when they approach. When her eyes find mine across the throngs of people I can’t stop myself from staring. I’ll never tire of her beauty. Of the way her smile stirs my soul. I know she’s scared and I don’t blame her. I also know I’m ready to help her learn how to trust me.

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