Liza was eyeing Mitchell, and I didn’t like the way she was looking at him. Mitchell turned to see who I was looking at, perking up the second he saw Liza.
“Well, who do we have here?” Mitchell asked.
Liza smiled, waiting for me to introduce her.
“Mitchell, this is Liza Morris,” I said. “She’s an old friend. We grew up together.”
Mitchell took her hand and kissed it.
I leaned in and said, “Take a look at the left hand.”
Liza shot me a dirty look. I shrugged and winked.
“Oh, damn. You’re engaged,” Mitchell said. “That sucks, sweetheart.” He turned back to me. “Shit, dude. I thought you and Jessica were together. Jessica said y’all were getting married soon.”
Liza and I both blurted, “What?”
Mitchell looked between Liza and me.
“You’re getting married?” Liza asked.
“No. I mean…uh…” I stuttered. “When did you talk to Jessica, Mitchell?”
Mitchell still looked confused as hell. “Um…I saw her earlier today.”
“Where?” I asked.
“Country club. Both our parents are members,” he said, still eyeing both Liza and me. “Do you want to tell me why Jess is saying y’all are getting married when you’re engaged to another girl?”
Liza laughed. “We’re not engaged. I’m engaged to someone else.”
I tilted my head and looked at her. “I thought you hadn’t said yes yet?”
Liza’s smile faded. “Well, when were you going to tell everyone about your engagement?”
“When I actually get engaged. I haven’t asked Jessica to marry me yet.”
Mitchell started laughing. “What a damn clusterfuck this is. Y’all all need to get your shit together.”
“What does that mean?”
Mitchell took a few steps closer. “Dude. What I walked up on was not just two old friends just having a dance.”
I shoved him a little. “Bullshit. You didn’t walk up on anything.”
He shook his head. “If you say so.”
“Yeah, I say so.”
Mitchell held his hands up and took a few steps back. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Liza,” he said.
Liza nodded and Mitchell walked away. When I turned back to her, I swear she had tears in her eyes.
“I’m ready to go home. I’m not feeling so well.”
I nodded and took her hand, but she instantly pulled away from me.
“I’ll um…I’ll look for Ava. You look for Jase. I’ll meet y’all at the truck.” I said.
Liza nodded, walking into the crowd of people dancing. I looked around for Ava, but I couldn’t find her. I saw Liza walk out the front door, so I pulled out my phone and sent Ava and Jase a text telling them that we were leaving because Liza was sick. Then I followed Liza.
I rounded the corner and watched as she paused next to someone’s truck, leaned over, and threw up.
“Fuck,” I said, running my hand through my hair. I ran over and pulled Liza’s hair back as she threw up again and again. “Damn it, Liza. How the hell much did you drink?”
She started crying as she looked up at me. “I don’t know.”
Jase and Ava appeared, running toward us.
“What’s wrong with her?” Jase asked as he placed his hand on Liza’s back.
“I just had too much to drink, Jase. That’s all. I don’t normally drink like that and then…” She stopped talking and shook her head.
“Then what, honey?” Ava said. “What upset you?”
Liza briefly met my gaze, but looked away. I stepped back and blinked slowly, thinking back to just a bit ago when she’d looked at me with pleading eyes. Did Liza still have feelings for me, or was I imagining it?
No, she was drunk—her actions probably had no meaning.
Ava rubbed her hand up and down Liza’s back. “Liza, honey, are you okay? Can you make it to Walker’s truck?”
Liza stood up and Ava handed her a tissue to wipe her mouth. She slowly nodded and said, “Yeah, I feel better, actually, now that I’ve thrown up.”
Jase put his arm around Liza’s waist and led her through the parking lot. “Yeah,” he said, “you probably got some of that alcohol out of your system. Come on, let’s get home and sneak you up to your room like we use to when we were in high school.”
Liza chuckled and rested her head on Jase’s shoulder. A tinge of jealousy raced through my blood—Liza was leaning on Jase instead of me.
I PULLED UP and parked behind Layton’s truck. It was after midnight, and Jase and Ava had both passed out in the back seat. I tried to wake them, but had no luck. I got out and opened the passenger-side door. Liza had fallen asleep almost immediately after getting into the truck. I unbuckled her seatbelt and took her in my arms before carrying her to the back door. She was light as a feather. I had to admit that I loved having her in my arms.
I was relieved to find the back door open. I attempted to close it behind me without making a lot of noise. I made my way through the kitchen and living room and started up the stairs. I pushed open Liza’s bedroom door and gently laid her on the bed. I turned on the desk lamp and when it lit up her room and I couldn’t help but smile. It had been years since I’d been in Liza’s room. I glanced at all the pictures on her photo board. Most of them were of Liza and me; some were with Jase and Ava.
Liza groaned, and I walked over to her. I helped her take off her boots placing each one quietly on the floor, then pulled the blankets out from under her and tucked her in. I sat on the bed and pushed her hair out of her face.
Liza opened her eyes and said, “Walker, I missed you.”
I gave Liza a grin and said, “I missed you, too, Liza.”
Her eyes moved across my face, like she was searching for an answer. She took a shaky breath and said, “It scares me.”
I cocked my head. “What scares you?”
Liza sucked in her lower lip. “How much I want you to kiss me.”
I swallowed hard as I stood up. Then I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “Goodnight, Liza,” I whispered.
She closed her eyes and said, “Night, Walker.”
For a few minutes, I just watched her sleep. When I heard the door creak open, I turned to see Jase there.
“Is she okay?” he asked.
I nodded and turned to leave, but Jase grabbed me by the arm and stopped me. He gave me an intense look.