Page 149 of Liam

She waves a hand between us. “He’s married to Riley now. Anyway, last year, Christmas…”

She goes on and on, and I listen intently, trying to make sense of it all. From what I gather, there was a Christmas get-together, a fake wedding between Heidi and Roman, they left together, and no one else knowsanything. Besides me. Clearly, because the look on Amanda’s face when I tell her that Heidi calls him ispriceless.Before either of us is ready, the timer goes off, indicating the end of our gossip session.

“Shoot,” Amanda says. “That was my bad, sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I laugh out. “I needed the distraction.”

“From the worry?” she asks, and I nod.

She tilts her head, a gentle smile creeping on her lips. “Addie, the sudden change you experienced wasn’t because Liamsaidhe loved you. It’s because hechoseto love you. And I think, when you don’t feel that from the two people who should love you unconditionally, thatchoicehe made is far more meaningful. Liamchoosingto love you allowed you to open up to the idea of lovingyourself. And that’s why it changed you.”

We’ve set up my latest therapy sessions so they finish just in time for Roman to pick me up after he’s done with work. He’s usually waiting out front for me when I get out, which is exactly whathappens now. I slip into the front seat and immediately ask, “Why didn’t you tell me Amanda was your friend?”

He shrugs, drives away from the curb. “I don’t know. I didn’t want you to think you were getting special treatment or whatever.”

“Am I?”

“No.”

“Who’s paying for all of this?”

“Addie, what the fuck with the twenty questions?” he laughs out.

“We talked about Heidi.”

He groans, and if he didn’t have to focus on the road, I’m sure he’d be slamming his head on the steering wheel right now. “The state pays for your therapy. Just like your school. All part of the foster care system.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm what?”

“Are you and Heidimarried?”

“No!”

Gosh, I love messing with him.

“You braided a veil for her.”

“I’m finding you a new therapist.”

“Nooooo!” I fake cry. “I love Amanda.”

“Yeah?” he asks, peering sideways at me. “So you want to keep going?”

Andthat’sthe million-dollar question right there.

Roman chuckles. “Not so fun when you’re in the hot seat, huh?”

“You’re mean.”

“You’re a brat.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He pauses a breath. “Hey, I have to stop by the office?—”

“What office?”

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