Page 92 of Ashes of Us

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His smile was small and careful. Like he was afraid too much expression might shatter whatever this moment was.

My phone buzzed. The tow truck was fifteen minutes out.

Reality crept back in.

"That's the tow truck," I said, checking the message. “They’re early. Fifteen minutes out.”

"I'll wait with you. Make sure they show up."

"You don't have to?—"

"I know." He said it gently. "But I want to."

The tow truck arrived. Liam helped coordinate everything—directions to the garage, paperwork, making sure my spare key was accounted for. Being useful without taking over.

When the van was loaded and pulling away, he turned to me.

"You need a ride home?"

I should say no and call an Uber. Should not get back in that truck where the windows fog up and we say too much.

"Yeah," I said. "That would be great."

The drive to my apartment took seven minutes. He pulled up to the curb and left the engine running.

I reached for the door handle, then stopped.

"Liam?"

"Yeah?"

I turned to look at him. His face in the dashboard lights. That same face I'd loved and left and couldn't seem to stop running into.

"I'm glad it was you," I said. “I mean, tonight. In the parking lot. I'm glad it was you."

Something bloomed in his expression. Surprise at first, then something warmer, more vulnerable.

"Me too," he said quietly.

I got out before I could say anything else. But at my door, I looked back.

He was still there, waiting. Making sure I got inside safe.

Some things, I realized, don't change.

Some things you don't want them to.

CHAPTER 36: LIAM

Iwas staring at paint swatches like they held the answers to the universe when I heard her voice.

"Eggshell."

I looked up. Piper stood three feet away, basket of lightbulbs in hand, hair pulled back in that messy bun she always wore when she was running errands. What were the odds? Twice in one week. The universe really needed a new hobby.

"What?" I said.

"For walls. Eggshell finish. It's the one that doesn't show every fingerprint but isn't too flat." She nodded at the chips in my hand. "You're repainting?"

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