Page 16 of The Love Chase
“He’s had twenty years to figure it out.”
He lifted his shoulders. “I don’t know. Sometimes guys are slow, especially when they’re distracted. Liam left to accomplish something he felt like he couldn’t do here, and maybe that blinded him. Now that he’s gotten what he wanted, he might start realizing what he already had with you.”
“I’m not holding my breath.”
Jameson playfully messed up my hair. “I’m just saying, maybe don’t give up yet. Figure out why he’s earned the reputation he has, because you and I both know that man in the tabloids is not the real Liam. There’s always more to the story. So don’t give up. Keep fighting a little longer. You can’t know for sure what will happen if you keep trying, but you sure as heck won’t ever find out what could happen if you give up now.”
He planted a kiss on my forehead and turned to leave. “Take a shower, Em. Go into town and get some fresh air. It’ll do you some good. I’ll see you tonight.”
And then my brother grabbed some food from the kitchen, our conversation having taken up most of his break, and left a moment later. The sound of his truck starting rivaled the pounding of my heart.
I wanted to be angry at Jameson for calling me out like that, but I knew deep down that what he’d said was true.
There was no way I was ready to have that conversation with Liam yet—if ever—but maybe Jameson was right. I didn’t have to let this defeat me. I didn’t have to act like my life was over, even if it currently felt like it.
The Becks were warriors. We kept getting up when knocked down.
As much as I wanted to sit here and mope, I needed to get up and figure something out.
Letting out a long breath, I grabbed the first thing I found in my suitcase and went to shower. I didn’t feel like going into town, since socializing was the last thing I wanted right now, but I was also starving—despite all the Cheetos—and a sandwich from Dina’s sounded like just the thing to lift my spirits.
Besides, maybe I’d get lucky, and Liam wouldn’t be in Meridel by the time I went into town. Perhaps he’d already gone back to California, tail tucked between his legs.
I couldn’t tell if the resulting pang in my stomach meant I was happy about that prospect or sad.
Liam
Iran a hand over my face as I pulled into a parking spot, the gravel lot at Dina’s crunching beneath my tires. After the exchange with Emma, I really had no appetite, but going home was the last thing I wanted to do.
Bridget was still making arrangements for my living situation, so I was stuck at my parents’ house for the time being. Lifting my long legs out of my old truck, I slid to the ground and headed inside for lunch, my thoughts still spinning.
I let out a breath as the hot summer air mixed with the familiar scent of Dina’s diner food loosened my muscles—just a fraction.
“By golly, is that Liam Walker?” a voice called across the room as I stepped through the door.
A head full of short, curly red hair appeared in front of me a moment later. It had been two years since I had seen Dina, but she hadn’t changed, nor had the inside of the restaurant. She still had a wide smile full of yellow teeth, red lips almost as bright as her hair, her signature overalls and flannel, and only a few more wrinkles than the last time I’d seen her.
The restaurant smelled like greasy, fried food which made my stomach rumble, and had a cozy “grandma’s kitchen” feel from the wooden tables and chairs to the couch-like fabric of the booths.
It was lunch time, but there were only a couple people eating at the bar which served homemade pie instead of alcohol.
Dina pinched my cheeks with her too-long nails. “How have you been, honey? Meridel hasn’t been the same without you.” Her eyes narrowed as she studied my face. Why did it sound like she meant Emma when she said Meridel?
Cut it out. You’re imagining things.
“I’m well, Dina. Glad to be back for a while.”
She patted my cheeks. “We’re glad to have you back, sweetie.” She paused, giving me a look. “Some of us more than others. And don’t worry, none of us believe a word those stinky papers have said about you.” Dina grinned and gestured to the table by the front window. “Have a seat. I’ll bring you your favorite.”
I guessed everyone had heard about my reputation.
I suppressed a sigh and gave her a smile before plopping down in the stiff wooden chair. It felt like I’d barely taken a breath when a Cherry Coke and a barbeque bacon burger and seasoned fries—the best meal on the menu in my opinion—were set in front of me. Dina winked at me and blessedly left me alone to eat in peace. With as nosy as this town was, I was surprised she didn’t take a seat and start grilling me about my time in California.
The first bite was absolute heaven in my mouth. The sweet and tangy barbeque sauce mixed with the smoky bacon and perfectly cooked beef, was broken up by bites of fries dipped in seasoned sour cream and sips of sweet Coke.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed Dina’s food until now.
I missed a lot of things.