Page 70 of Honey Bee Library
She drew her eyebrows together as she studied me. For a moment, I thought she was going to tell me, no, that wasn’t what she wanted. But then she slowly began to nod. “I think that’s what’s best for everyone, don’t you?”
That was what I needed to hear. She drove the final nail into the coffin of our nascent relationship. Willow wanted me gone more than she wanted me here. It was time I took the hint.
“Okay,” I repeated, like it was the only word I knew. I sighed and took a step back. “Take my rental. I’ve paid up for the rest of the month. Stay there until you get on your feet.” I swallowed as I saw her resistance surface. “I’m leaving. Tonight.”
She studied me. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “It’s the least I can do.” I took another step back. “I’ll send Maddie up in a month or two to check on the diner.” I dipped down to catch her gaze and held it. “I know you’ll take good care of my investment here. I promise to be a silent partner from now on.”
I crossed over to her desk chair and picked up my suit coat. I folded it and draped it over my arm as I turned to look at her. “Goodbye, Willow.”
She held my gaze for a moment before she nodded. “Goodbye, Cole.”
I swallowed, my emotions coating my throat, making it hard to breath. “Tell Jasper I said goodbye and to expect something in the mail from me.” I wasn’t going to let that kid think I was leaving him. I would be in his life—even if from far away—for as long as he would let me.
“I will.” Her voice was soft as if her emotions were affecting her as well.
I decided to ignore it. I would spiral if I entertained that thought. With the farewells already spoken, I nodded before I turned and headed out of her office.
Then I walked out of the Sunny Side Up Diner for the last time, letting the back door swing shut behind me.
I was going back home.
22
SABRINA
I felt like a grounded teenager,sneaking out of my apartment so I could meet Liam at the Sunny Side Up Diner, but the last thing I wanted was to be drilled by Abigail about a coffee date that wasn’t going to take longer than ten minutes tops—five if I had my way. Abigail and Bash were distracted on the couch, cuddling with Samuel while watching a comedy. I figured this was my window to leave.
They didn’t see me as I sneaked by them and into the kitchen. And they didn’t look up when I unlocked the deadbolt and slipped into the hallway of our apartment building. I was going to hurry to the diner, drink one cup, and bid Liam farewell forever. Then I’d slip back into the apartment, and no one would be the wiser.
It was pouring rain as I ran to my car and climbed inside to make the five-minute drive to the diner. Unfortunately, the diner was exactly where half the town had decided to be, based on the state of the parking lot. After driving the loop twice, I realized I was never going to get a spot close to the door, so I settled on grabbing a spot in the overflow field next door.
I held my purse over my head as I sprinted from my car to the front steps of the diner. Once inside, I blew out my breath and began brushing the water droplets from my jean jacket and black checkered maxi skirt. My hair felt stringy and wet, so I did my best to fluff it while I waited behind a couple who were lingering next to the hostess stand, arm in arm.
Breia greeted the couple and told me that she would be right back to get me. I raised my hand and told her to take her time—which was a lie, but my momma raised me to be courteous.
Thankfully, Breia was only gone for a minute before she was back and pulling a menu from the stack next to the stand.
“Just you?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, I’m meeting someone.” Her eyebrows went up. Crap. “Er, I mean, I’m just getting coffee with a colleague.” That wasn’t a lie. After all, Liam had told the entire book club last night that we were co-hosts.
Breia nodded. “So, two menus?”
I shook my head.
“I’ll take one.”
Liam’s smooth voice sounded, and my entire body reacted to the depth in his tone and the flirty way he managed to say the most mundane words. Breia flicked her gaze from Liam over to me and then back to Liam. She looked curious, and her smile told me that she was making up an entire story in her mind about who Liam was and why he was here.
Great.
“I thought you weren’t going to show,” he whispered from behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder to see him smiling down at me. His long hair was damp, and there were raindrops still clinging to his ridiculously long eyelashes.
“Well, you told me coming here was the way I could get rid of you for good, so I’m here.” I glared at him.
