Page 78 (1/2)

“That’s a terrible idea Why ainst the side of the pot, beating out a steady rhythot hurt and I’ve co your relationship with Colreed was a mistake”

“I never said it was a rabbed the ladle from the pot on the back burner and poured another cup of stock onto the rice “Do I wish things had happened differently? Yes, but don’t ever think I look back on that night and think it was a mistake”

Taking her free hand in ether She didn’t pull back or jerk away Maybe we could still fix this

28

Liv

I stood in front of the wall of mirrors like I had hundreds of times Sweat dripped down my face as I pushed myself harder and harder The chill in the air ashed ahenthat could bring ht on by a bad exa the path I’d been set on This was a crushing pain that seeped down deep into my bones

Ford’s words rang in ot back to the kitchen, ers fro a part of my soul, but I couldn’t breathe when he was so close I’d closed the door in her shocked face and ran two blocks before ordering a car to coo back there What if Sylvia found out what had happened between me and Ford and Grant and she kicked me out of her life?

I ot, right? That wasa line I’d knoould cause problems I’d been so blinded by Ford’s touch and the need to feel him

Frustrationoverto lose myself in equations and cheood ninety hours of studying Another cold snap had hit, and I tightened the collar of my coat as I rounded the corner to my apartment

I dug h h the problelinted in the fading light, and I looked up A shock shot straight through ers anyround I stood back up, I froze as a figure sitting on the front steps of my buildin

g stood The small panic faded away, replaced by a knot in , lanky li sun My heart pounded inin my throat

“Hey, Liv” Grant stood up and shoved his hands into his pockets His cheeks and nose were red fro winter air

“How long have you been sitting out here?”

His gaze dropped “Long enough”

“Why didn’t you call ?”