“Take that back,” she says quietly.
“Hey, can we get a little help over here,” I holler for the police officer standing a few feet away from us. He comes over and Sam lets go of Liam. “We have a restraining order against her,” I add. We watch as he pulls out his handcuffs. Sam steps away, shaking her head. The officer steps forward, but isn’t fast enough for Sam. She runs down the steps and he chases her, yelling at her to stop.
Sam heads to our car and slips into the driver’s seat and pulls away from the curb. The driver is shouting, waving his arms back and forth. The police officer is screaming for back up. In a matter of minutes police cars are flying down the road, chasing Sam.
“I think this will make the evening news.” I laugh, although I don’t mean to, but it seems fitting that this would end up making the front pages.
Liam shakes his head. “What’s her problem?”
I put my arm around his shoulders. “I hate to tell you this, but she’s nuts and you just made it worse.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“Anytime.” We don’t get very far before we have to give a statement. The officer who chased after Sam keeps scratching his head. It baffles me that he couldn’t detain her. Barney Fife could’ve done a better job.
“Come on, let’s go home.” Liam says, as he signals for a taxi.
He steps away and heads for the yellow and black-checkered car. The word home hits hard, but I know my decision is the right one. I can’t stand by and watch her fall in love with someone that isn’t me. It hurts that we aren’t together over something that was a lie.
We have a flight back to Beaumont tonight. When we land, the ball will start rolling. I have to finish up my project with the kids and help Liam find Josie a present. My Christmas shopping is done. All that’s left are goodbyes.
JOSIE and I are finishing last minute shopping for everything that we need for the wedding, Christmas and her New Year’s party – it all has to be done today. I know I’ll be back here tomorrow with the girls though. They’ve begged me to take them shopping so they can buy something for Harrison and Quinn. Christmas will be the first time he and I will spend any time together since we split. I’ve been able to avoid him at all costs, and that hasn’t been easy.
I never realized how much our lives were intertwined and they continue to stay that way. Quinn still comes to my house after school, but Harrison no longer comes inside to pick him up. I know Elle misses Harrison and is always asking to go to Liam’s to see him and now he’s connected with Peyton – albeit after we split - and she’s spending time more and more with him. I want to tell him that he needs to stop seeing them, but he’s making them laugh and right now, that’s the best thing for them.
My days since I’ve come back from Los Angeles have been spent helping Josie. I’m either working at her shop or I’m finalizing wedding plans. She’s managed to keep everything under control, but as the date gets closer I’ve submerged myself in being her personal assistant. It helps keep my mind off things. It’s during the night, after the kids have gone to bed, that my heart aches.
We finally decide to take a break. I pile my bags onto the bench and slide into the booth. My body sighs from tiredness. If another one of my friends decides to get married right after Christmas, remind me to tell them I’ll be on vacation. It’s mentally and physically exhausting trying to do both.
“How do you like Aubrey?’ I ask as I look over the menu. I’ve had the pleasure of working with her a few times, and as much as I hate to admit it, I like her and can see her fitting in very well with us. The question is; can Liam play nice with Nick?
“I really like her,” Josie says as she looks up from her menu. “She really complements Nick.”
“How are things with Nick?”
Josie sets her menu down just as the waiter appears at our table. After he’s taken our order, I look at her, waiting for her response.
“Things are good. Noah’s happy that he’s back and that’s important. Liam is being good and that makes me happy.”
“What you and Liam have done for Nick is very commendable.”
Josie dips her head. “I think it makes Liam uncomfortable though. When Noah went to Nick’s last week, Liam locked himself away in the studio.”
I reach for her hand and hold it in mine. “It can’t be easy for him, but he’s trying. He’s doing what’s best for his son.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
I release her hand and pick up my iced-tea.
“You know Liam and Harrison are in Los Angeles getting restraining orders against Sam and Alicia, right?”
I fight the sigh that is building. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Why not?” she asks. “Liam created a child with that woman, and I’m still with him. If you listened to what Harrison told you - and I know you did because you’ve repeated it to me - why not talk to him? Even Liam said that those photographs were doctored.”
“It’s not that easy, Josie. Everything with him was so intense and I found myself making excuses to see him. He shouldn’t be my focus.”
“You’re right, Katelyn, he shouldn’t be; but you should be your focus and he was making you happy. You were smiling and laughing. I’m sorry, but that man is perfect for you and the girls and you won’t find anyone better than him.”