Page 48 of Finding Forever in Cedarwood

Chapter Ten

Stone waited at the shelter for any word from Liam. He checked the clock again…almost nine.Where’s Liam?Every volunteer, save for Amy, had gone home for the night.

“Why don’t you go home?” Amy asked. “You seem to be hesitating.”

“So?” He scrubbed his hand across his mouth. “I’m worried.”

“About?” She sat next to him at the desk. “I’m your oldest friend. You can talk to me.”

He needed to chat, even if it was only to hear himself talk. “You’ve met Liam.”

“He’s hot. I saw him inRhapsody. Kind of had a crush on him, too.” She shrugged. “I think everyone did back then.”

“He was popular.”

“He was in all of the teen magazines.” She crossed her legs and faced him. “So?”

“We’re living together.”

“That’s the biggest secret that’s not a secret,” she said. “I knew the moment I saw you together that you were going to be a couple.”

“You were the only one.” He rested his arms on the desk. “He got freaked at the diner and I kind of went overboard about keeping him safe. He stayed overnight and never left.”

“Seems like he likes you.” She narrowed her eyes. “Aren’t you sure about this?”

“He said he loves me.”

“Well, hot damn. That’s great.” She grinned, then the smile faded. “Right?”

“It’s good.”

“Wow. Don’t sell me on the emotion between you.” She crooked her eyebrow. “You think you moved too fast.”

“It’s been a little quick, yes, but it’s…here’s the thing. I’m not leaving Cedarwood. I’m happy here at the shelter. And Liam has to go to Georgia to do his job. He’s an actor. He won’t stay here.”

“But he loves you.”

“He falls for his costars.”

She toyed with the arm of the chair. “I think you have your mind made up, but you’re afraid of the answer.”

“I am?” This was news to him. He hadn’t made any choices yet.

“Yeah. You love him and you’re scared you’ll get your heart broken when he leaves.”

“Yeah,” he confessed. “It’s very possible.”

“You’re also scared this is the love you need. The one you’re waiting for. That’s scary because it could hurt you to your core if it fails.”

She’d nailed it.

“I think you need to tell Liam exactly how you feel. Open your heart way open. Let everything be out there. If he’s not going to screw you over, he’ll appreciate the sentiment. If he leaves and doesn’t come back, then that’s his loss and I’ll probably chase him down to clock him.”

“Thanks, Amy.” He needed to talk to her more often.

“But you’re getting worked up for nothing,” she said.

“I am?”

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