Page 46 of Hard To Love

Chapter Sixteen

“So how arethings going with Liam?” I asked, over the rim of my wine glass. Cassie and I had claimed a small table in a cozy little Italian restaurant on the Upper West Side.

The tension in her body was obvious when she reached over and took a big gulp of her water. “He’s fine.” She answered, trying to sound convincing, but by the way her eyes skimmed over her menu eyeing her choices she looked like she was on the verge of tears. I wasn’t buying it.

“Fine huh. Is that all?” Silence fell over us. When Cassie got quiet, that was never a good sign.

The waitress came over and took our order.

Cassie fell back in her seat with a sigh, then folded her hands across her flat stomach. She glanced my way looking troubled. “Promise you won’t freak out on me?”

My body leaned into the table. “What did you do?”

She hesitated and closed her eyes. When they blinked open, she looked nervous. “You know how I sometimes stalk Mark on Facebook, right?”

Her tentative tone told me I wasn’t going to like whatever it was she was about to tell me. Generally speaking, anything that had to do with Mark wasn’t good. “You mean Mark, the asshole who cheated on you and lied to you? That Mark?”

Frown lines formed in-between her brows before her eyes narrowed on mine slightly.“Well it just so happens that he’s no longer engaged and he called me the other day. I agreed to meet him for drinks. He begged for my forgiveness and told me how stupid he was for messing up the best thing that had ever happened to him.”

I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I did not like where this conversation was going at all.

She cleared her throat seeming uncomfortable, and I reminded myself that this was my friend. Whatever it was she did, it wasn’t my place to judge. Her gaze traveled over to the painting of the Eiffel Tower that hung on the wall, then back to me. “Well, one thing led to another and… we slept together.”

My jaw practically dropped on the floor. I couldn’t believe she would fall for his crap again after everything he put her through. Obviously, she didn’t remember the countless nights she had cried herself to sleep or the hundreds of girl-talk sessions it took for her to move forward with her life. All it took was one phone call and she ran right back to him? I wanted to scream at her and tell her how disappointed I was, until I remembered what a master manipulator Mark was.

“I was so confused and he knows exactly what buttons to push. He wants me back but I don’t know if I can ever trust him again. I’ve moved on and I’m not sure I want to go down this road with him again. Not to mention Liam and how great things have been…if I didn’t already fuck that up, too.”

The waitress arrived with our meal as I stared at Cassie, my eyes were begging for some answers. “Speaking of Liam?”

A look of sadness and resignation filled her face. “I really like him, but,” she shrugged her shoulders, “we kind of got into a fight the other night and I told him I wanted to take a break. Neither one of us wanted a commitment. So, when Mark called, I figured why the hell not?”

While they had never defined their relationship, they were more than just bed buddies. Anyone who was around them could sense the obvious chemistry. I think they were both too scared and stubborn to admit it.

I gave her my best ‘are you freaking kidding me?’ look. It was a good thing there was a good amount of space between us and the other customers. “You and I both know that what you just said is a bunch of BS. You are completely crazy about Liam and he obviously feels the same way about you. It’s so damn obvious, even Stevie Wonder could see it. You’re afraid to put yourself out there again and risk getting hurt. With Mark, you know what to expect and as crazy as it sounds, you think that is the safer bet.”

A look of enlightenment filled her eyes, confirming that my comments had hit the bullseye.

“Are you disappointed in me?” She asked as she picked up her wine, and twirled it around in the glass.

My body leaned back against the chair, “I’m not going to judge you. Mark knows your weaknesses and will do whatever he can to get what he wants. Just remember, there is a reason why you two broke up in the first place. You are in a great place right now. Are you willing to risk the potential at having something good with Liam? Because the way I see it, Mark already had his chance. You know how it will end because you’ve been there before. Liam, on the other hand has done nothing but show you how crazy he is about you. There is so much potential in your relationship. He doesn’t deserve to be your back up plan. If you can’t see things working out with Liam in the long run, then maybe it’s best you cut your losses. I mean if that is what you really want?” I gave her a tight smile and brought my wine to my lips.

The guilt she was feeling over sleeping with Mark was written all over her face. I knew she cared about Liam, but it must had been extremely difficult to pass on the possibility of reconciling with the one whom you thought was the greatest love of your life. I wanted her to understand I would still be here, regardless of whom she picked. I just wanted her to be happy.

“You know, I hate it when you’re right. But… I can always count on you to tell me what I need to hear instead of what I want to hear.”

I shrugged, trying to fight the smile that was breaking out on my face. “Maybe I just have the right inspiration.”

She shot me the evil eye, “Well, not everyone has a Mr. Fucking Perfect like you do.”

I laughed. “He’s not perfect, trust me.”

Cassie tapped her fingers on the table, “Oh yeah?” She said leaning in, “What rating would you give him in the bedroom?”

I rolled my eyes, this girl had a one-track mind. “I’m not discussing my sex life with you.”

“Oh, come on,” she teased, “it’s okay, what would you give him, an eight?” She asked with a raised brow.

I waved my hand in the air and scoffed. “Please, that would be insulting.”

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