Page 40 of Legally Yours
She scoffs with a small smile. “You don’t have to be awkward, Liam. It’s still me.”
My Cassandra.
“The question still stands,” I say as I adjust the coffee in my hands. My right hand is scalding from the heat, but I barely notice given that there are more pressing issues in mind.
“Well, I’m okay. I’ve been better,” she answers honestly as she fidgets with her rings.
“Any way I can help?”
“I’m sure I will be okay eventually.”
I raise a brow at this, not having a good feeling of what’s to come. There is no need to beat around the bush when you can cut to the chase. “Cassandra, where do you stand with the divorce?”
She blinks a few times, taken aback at my blunt approach. She looks around for a barista. “We should talk this over with some coffee.”
With this question eating me alive and my anxiety sky-rocketing, I push my fresh coffee towards her and push the creamer and sugar bowls right next to the cup. She looks at it with a question in her eyes.
“I haven’t taken a sip,” I say roughly. “Cassandra, God.” I run my hands through my hair. “Where do you stand?”
She sighs as she puts down the sugar, and she looks up at me intently. “My mind hasn’t changed. I’d still like to file for divorce.”
“No,” I say in denial. “God, no.”
“Liam, it’s best if we just end things here.”
“No,” I echo. The world dims around me and life seems to lose meaning.
“It’s better this way,” she says.
I feel my heart shatter in my chest. A sharp pain embeds itself where it used to be. I nod, letting her voice go in one ear and out the other. I fight the strain in my throat.
“I told your dad I would always cherish you, and I told you that I would never, ever give up on you,” I say, the words coming out more strangled than I intend.
“And you haven’t given up on me, and you clearly cherish me. Look at us here.” She motions with her hand around the café. “You haven’t given up on me.”
“But you gave up on me,” I softly say after an extended silence.
She runs her manicured hand over her face, “Liam, that’s not what…” She pauses like she is looking for words, but she just meets my gaze.
I sigh and stretch my legs out, pulling out my wallet and placing a hundred dollar bill on the table. “Order some breakfast. I’m going to go.”
She stands up with me and places an arm on my shoulder. “Trust me, I would love to be with you.”
Clearly, she doesn’t. I just nod and walk around her, out of the door.
* * *
I am sprawledout on my couch in my living room with my fifth scotch in hand. I take another generous mouthful and pour my half empty bottle into the cup.
“Six,” I say to myself. I toss my head back on the couch with a sigh and feel another well of tears begin to appear.
“Why doesn’t she give me a ch-chance,” I slur. I take a swig from my glass. “Like, did I not do everything right?” I hiccup. “Also why didn’t it hurt this bad with Eunice?”
I slide down the couch cushions and look at my whiskey bottle sitting on the table. “I’m polishing you off tonight.”
Where is Cassandra tonight? With friends? Alone? Is she also attempting to polish off a bottle of whiskey?
“Idea!” I shout. I place the scotch down on the table, but not before some of the contents slosh and drip on my hands.