Staring down at my lap, I say, “Thank you, but it’s not necessary. I know where Arlo is coming from. He saw me at my worst and he’s terrified I’ll go back to that life. And it’s not like I’ve been entirely truthful with him, just like how I wasn’t truthful with him when I was young. Hearing I was married to Pike, it probably triggered him.”
“That’s not an excuse,” Greer says. “And he owes you a massive apology.”
“Probably,” I say, exhausted. “But I’m not sure I want to speak with him right now, or anybody, for that matter.”
“I can understand that. You must be feeling raw.” I nod and she pats my hand. “I’ll let you process, then, but there was something I wanted to tell you.”
“That Arlo got a crick in his back from sleeping on the sofa? Because that would please me.”
She chuckles. “Not that I know of, but he has a few nights ahead of him there, so there’s hope.”
“That’s a true friend.”
She smiles and then grows serious. “So, you kind of passed out last night, and while we were helping you out, Pike and Arlo got into it.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I mean . . . Pike stood up to Arlo, defended you, and when Arlo wouldn’t let up, when he was spouting off about how Pike wasn’t good enough for you, Pike drew back and punched Arlo in the face.”
“What?” I exclaim, eyes wide. “No, he didn’t. Did he?”
She nods. “Yeah, and then all hell broke loose. Romeo and Gunner had to step in. Kelvin even helped, because Pike was furious. I’ve never seen anything like it. He was . . . incredibly protective. Kept saying that because Arlo’s only focused on the past you, he doesn’t see the present, he doesn’t know how thoughtful, and spunky, and amazingly smart you are.”
“He said that?” I ask.
“Yeah. He put Arlo in his place. It’s one of the things that I think is bothering Arlo the most, because Pike’s words rang true. Arlo isn’t sure he really knows you at all anymore.”
“He doesn’t,” I say softly. My thoughts immediately go to Pike. “But how does Pike know me? I’ve been lying to him this entire time.”
“You don’t have to know the facts about someone in order to grasp the fundamental person they are. He reads your actions, your spirit, your tenacity. He looks past the surface and sees you for who you are.”
I bite the corner of my mouth and think about last night. I don’t remember much that was said, but I do recall the possessive grip on my back and the way he snapped at Arlo.
“He really defended me?” I ask. “After what I did to him? After how I embarrassed him?”
Greer nods. “He did, and then he carried you to your car and drove you back to your apartment. I checked in with him later and he said you were doing fine and that he was taking care of you.” Greer nervously glances to the side and then whispers, “He blew everyone away at the party, even Arlo. Pike treated you like you truly were the only thing he ever cared about in his life.”
I can’t tell you why.
I can’t tell you how, but . . .
A tear slowly trickles down my cheek.
“I think he really likes you,” Greer says softly. “And I wanted to tell you this, because I think you need to know. You need to understand that I think this is more for him.”
I glance to the side, out the window, as I come face to face with the truth.
“I think I like him too.”
“Then stop messing around and get to know him, Cora.” She forces me to look at her. “I know Keenan messed you up and your childhood has messed with your ability to open your heart, but please give him a chance. I think he could make you happy.”
“I wasn’t expecting him to come along. I just got divorced.”
“We can’t control our own timeline when fate intervenes in our lives. Don’t push away from fate, embrace it.”
The door opens and Pike walks in, holding a bag from the coffee shop from around the corner. Greer glances at him and stands.
“Text me, okay?” she asks.
I nod and then whisper, “Thank you.”
She winks and takes off, leaving me alone with Pike.
When the door clicks shut and he comes toward me, I notice a gash on his cheek and the bruising surrounding it. Was that from Arlo?
I’m about to ask when he says, “I got you an egg and sausage sandwich. Figured you’d need something greasy.” He sets the bag down and then takes a step back from me. He pulls on the back of his neck and says, “I have some things to do. Water and Ibuprofen are on the nightstand. Text if you need anything.”