Page 134 of How To Not Need You

Something changes in his expression at my admission.

Nope.

Absolutely not.

I am not analysing Jake’s facial expressions today. That way lies emotional honesty, and I’ve already had quite enough personal growth for one week.

He must see the avoidance stamped across my forehead and changes tactics. “Now I need to determine a suitable punishment for the budding matchmaker.”

“Well, whatever you decide, I would keep her away from Luca. If they teamed up the whole of Seabrook would be doomed.”

Jake laughs. The one I haven’t heard in days. The one that warms something in me I’d convinced myself had gone cold.

It doesn’t last though.

Because I remember why I’m here. Not because of a fake fall. Because of a real one, the kind that happens inside your chest when you’re standing on a verandah with a key in your hand and the door opens and everything you’ve spent six months letting yourself believe comes crashing down around your ankles.

My face changes, I feel it change. The laugh dies in the space between us, and Jake notices.

“Liv.”

“Don’t.” The word comes out sharper than I intend.

“Don’t what?”

“Say my name like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying not to hurt me.” I cross my arms. The hallway feels suddenly too small. “I’m fine.”

“We both know that’s not true.”

“Fantastic. Let’s add mind-reading to the list of things you’re good at.”

He doesn’t take the bait. It’s infuriating, arguing is easier than confronting these messy feelings.

“Can we talk?” he asks.

There is no demand in his tone. Just a question, delivered in that steady, even tone that makes it impossible to dismiss as emotional manipulation because Jake isn’t that type of person. He just stands there, barefoot and exhausted, and asks.

“Apparently we don’t have a choice,” I say. “Your daughter has issued instructions.”

“She has.”

“Quite aggressively.”

“She gets that from her mother.”

I raise an eyebrow but he sticks to his guns.

“Definitely her mother.”

That almost draws another smile. Almost.

Jake glances towards the front door. “Can we sit?”

I should leave.