Frenemy Protector by Lovelace Kate

Author:Lovelace, Kate
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-27T00:00:00+00:00

11

LIAM

“It’s great to have you back, kid.”

Old man Jeffries gives me a wink and a nod as I pass him his glass of beer, a familiar smile stretching across his gray stubble.

Even though I’ve been away for years, and have only been back behind the bar for a couple of weeks, it already feels like second nature. It’s kind of surreal how easily I’ve fallen back into it. Despite my hesitation and reluctance to return home, my role behind the bar fits me like an old pair of shoes, and there’s something about it that calms the nerves.

There are some nights, I admit, when falling asleep has been a little difficult, haunted by the memories that ultimately drove me out of here—memories that I have been carrying since I was a kid. But, lately, being back in my hometown has become a little easier.

And I know I owe that to Lauren.

It’s been a week since the two of us got together, I mean since we decided to give things between us a shot. She spends most nights at my place now. It’s amazing how easily we fit into each other’s lives, although sometimes she has to wake up early and rush out so she can get to work on time. But those moments we spend together have been everything I didn’t know I was missing.

Simple things such as getting food together, running errands, or just staying in and enjoying each other’s company while watching a TV show or movie—doing all of these things with her is just so easy. She fits perfectly into my life, like she was made for me. Lauren does her own thing with her work, and I do my own thing with mine, and once we’re done for the day, we come back to each other, and everything feels so right. It makes me wonder how I could have gone so long without this, without her, because now that I’ve had a taste of what life is like with Lauren, I can barely remember what life was like without her. I don’t want to. Existing with her is opening my eyes to what a partnership can be. It’s the happiest I’ve been.

Shit, I was so caught up in running away, I didn’t even realize how lonely my life had been in Chicago. Though I’ve always been kind of a loner, and I prefer being alone sometimes, I’ve learned that there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely. Being with Lauren has made me realize that.

I liked my life in Chicago, but I was telling myself that I was better off alone, and that I was enjoying my solitude. Which, I now realize was a lie. Sure, I’d go out with friends occasionally, I had a social life, but it all seems so dull and empty in comparison to the time I’ve spent with Lauren.

We hang out. And whether it’s just the two of us or a double date with Michael and Bree or Ethan and Oona, it just works.

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