AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Shit just got real, yo,” Paul mumbled, and Jonathan kicked him under the table.
Meg stood. “When you dig through that emotional pile of shit that’s hidden by your professional façade, maybe some guy will be willing to take a chance, Cal. Until then, stay wound as tight as the bun that’s usually on your head. Hasta la vista, baby.” Meg stomped away.
“Callie, you okay?” Liam asked.
Callie stayed silent, her gaze holding firmly on the receipt in her hand.
Jonathan stood. “I’ll go check on Megatron.”
“I’ll join you.” Paul grabbed his margarita and followed to the bar on the other side of the room.
“You want to walk around the resort?” Liam asked.
“Not really into getting smashed by flying patio furniture,” she said dryly.
Liam chuckled. “I meant inside. This place is a labyrinth of covered walkways.”
“I really don’t think I’d be good company.”
“Callie, if you’re interested in an ear or a friend, I’m here. And that’s all I’ll be.”
She shook her head. “I crossed a line last night with that neck rub.”
“I agreed to the massage, and by the way, I slept like a baby. Thanks to you.”
“Oh. That’s good to hear, but still … you’re a client. It’s not right.”
Oh, it’s right. You just need to believe it.
There wasn’t anything wrong with her having standards to hold herself accountable to. And Liam understood how people got lost in a relationship, too, ignoring their needs and only aiding others. That was his own burden to bear in life. And he wondered if the same rang true for her. What had she suffered to make sure others had their dreams and needs met?
“I think I already know the answer, but how’d you sleep, Callie?”
She stared at the pen in her hand. “Not well with the world’s loudest nose in the room. Maybe I need to go take a nap.”
“I was thinking of putting on a movie and chilling out for a while. Join me?”
The waiter grabbed a few of the margarita glasses, piling them five high like he was a circus performer. “Sorry to overhear, sir. Just to let you know, there are two theatres on the resort. One shows movies six times a day, and the other is a private rental room where you choose the movie and a computer system plays it. Just consult the front desk for reservations.”
Liam didn’t make it to the theatre often but loved movies. “Sounds like fun. You interested?”
Callie fidgeted in her seat, pulling at the hem of the dress as if she could make it longer. “I’d probably just sleep.”
“Then you nap, and I’ll watch the movie.”
Her gaze came back up from the dress. “Only if there’s popcorn.”
The challenge was extended.
His chest warmed deep. “I’ll meet you at the reservations desk. I have to go get something.” Liam walked off.
He’d make sure there was popcorn for her, and he’d show her that friendship was a start and break down those barriers she had up.
Challenge accepted.
9
Callie
