Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)(83)

Larissa accepted the comforting and told herself that having good friends was going to get her through this. Bailey hugged her, as well, then they all went into the apartment.

“How did you find out?” Larissa asked when she’d gotten her guests tea and they’d settled on the sofa and single chair. Dyna remained loyal and curled up on Larissa’s lap.

Taryn groaned. “He called me this morning. He said he wouldn’t be in and you wouldn’t, either. I figured that was good news until he said he’d fired you.” She reached across the couch and took Larissa’s hand. “So what happened?”

“I don’t know,” Larissa admitted. “He was upset and we were talking. I wanted to know what had gone on between him and Percy.” She thought about what Jack had told her and still had trouble believing it.

“Jonny Blaze asked if he was Percy’s father. Jack took the question badly. He said he would be a lousy father, which I don’t think is true. He holds himself back a lot emotionally but I know he cares. If he had a child—”

Taryn squeezed her fingers. “Honey, stay on topic please.”

“What? Oh. Sorry. He said that Percy was a problem that wouldn’t go away.”

Bailey winced. “And Percy heard? No wonder he left. I feel so awful for him. That would have been devastating.”

“Jack’s on a roll,” Taryn muttered. “He blew me off and he was a real jerk about it.”

“He’s overwhelmed by everything that’s happening,” Larissa said quickly. “He was offered the job of rebuilding the university’s football team. I think he wants to take it but he won’t let himself. Because he can’t do it without connecting with the players. And he doesn’t want to risk himself by caring. You know, because of everything that happened to him with his brother.”

Taryn swore. “You are way too nice. Stop defending him. Jack ripped out your heart and did a touchdown dance on the pieces.”

Larissa swallowed against the lump in her throat. “I know what he did.”

Taryn groaned, then leaned toward her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive. It’s just you’re still taking his side in all this.”

“I can’t help it. I understand what he went through as a kid—always having to be the good one, the quiet one, because Lucas was sick. Then his brother got the transplant and for a little while Jack believed he was going to have a normal life.”

Taryn sighed. “You’re making me crazy. You know that, right?”

“I do.”

Taryn looked at Bailey. “Jack’s brother had a heart condition that required a transplant. Only it didn’t go well and he died. Then Jack’s parents took off, leaving him on his own.” She turned back to Larissa. “Okay, he had it rough. That doesn’t excuse what he’s doing now.”

“No, it doesn’t, but it explains it.” She thought about what it was like to be with Jack and knew that bad with him was better than great with anyone else. “I love him. I don’t want to get over him and find someone else. I want him to love me back. I want us to be together always.” The tears returned and filled her eyes. “He doesn’t want me. What if I love him forever?”

Bailey moved to the sofa and wrapped her arms around Larissa. “Just keep breathing. I know it doesn’t feel like it now, but you’ll heal in time. Clichés work for a reason.”

Larissa wanted to scream at them both, saying she would never be able to get over Jack. Only she didn’t. Not only because she loved her friends, but because Bailey had lost a husband. If anyone knew about overcoming pain, she did.

So she swallowed the words and let herself breathe in their concern. Right now friends were a good thing to have around.

She wiped her cheeks and drew in a breath. “I’m okay,” she whispered. “Or I will be. One day at a time, right? While we’re riding the cliché wagon?”

Bailey smiled. “Exactly. Keep moving forward.”

Except forward how? Larissa turned to Taryn. “I’m really fired, aren’t I?”

Taryn shrugged her shoulders. “You can’t work for Jack anymore, so you’re not his assistant. But the guys and I want you to stay on.”

“No,” Larissa said, accepting the truth for the first time since Jack had said those painful words. “I can’t. I need to figure out what I want to do with my life.”

“As long as it’s here,” Bailey said, returning to the chair. “You’re staying in Fool’s Gold, aren’t you?”

“You have to,” Taryn told her. “Please don’t go.” She pressed her lips together. “I’m sorry. I’m being selfish. I don’t want you to go, but if it’s what you think is best, then I’ll help you find a place in L.A. and pack up your stuff.”

Larissa managed a wobbly smile. “You’re a good person.”

“Yeah? Don’t tell anyone.”

What to do? Stay or go? Even as she asked the question, she already knew the answer.

“I want to stay,” she said firmly. “I like the town and I want to be near you guys.”

“Good.” Bailey pulled a piece of paper from her bag. “There’s a room for rent at the local day spa.” She handed over the flyer. “I’ve seen the space and I like it, but you’re the actual professional. Just call and say who you are. You can see it anytime.”