SABRINA
As soon as the wheels hit the tarmac of Chicago O’Hare, I startled awake. Once I had gathered my bearings, I pressed against the seat to push myself up as I looked around. When my gaze landed on Liam, my heart sank. I’d fallen asleep.
Liam looked amused as he sat across from me. Feeling self-conscious, I quickly wiped at my lips, hoping I hadn’t drooled or snored.
My cheeks heated with embarrassment.
Unable to bring myself to speak to Liam, I chose to remain quiet as the plane pulled into the hangar. The stewardess made quick work of the door, and soon it was open, revealing a set of stairs.
Liam took charge and was holding the handle of the car seat with an awake and smiling Samuel tucked safely inside. I decided not to fight Liam on it. The last thing I wanted was to attempt to carry my son down the stairs, trip, and test the ability of the car seat to keep Samuel safe. Falling up the stairs with Samuel was one thing. Plummeting both of us to our deaths was an entirely different story.
There was a limo, complete with a driver, waiting for us when we got to the bottom of the stairs. Liam didn’t miss a beat, heading straight to the far door. I lingered for a moment, wondering if we were supposed to wait for our luggage. But when it became apparent that Liam had staff to do that, I hurried over to where he’d left the limo door open for me.
The windows were tinted, causing the inside of the limo to be darker than it was outside. I shut the door and slid across the back bench seat before plopping Samuel’s diaper bag next to me.
Liam hummed as he shook Samuel’s sensory toy that was fastened to the handle of the car seat above him. I could see Samuel’s little hand waving in the air as he reached for the textured silicone toys.
“Did you have a good nap?”
I turned to see Liam watching me. My cheeks burned once again from embarrassment. I wasn’t really sure what an assistant to a rock star did, but I was pretty sure that taking a nap in the middle of the day wasn’t high on that list. I guess I was more tired than I’d realized.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.
Liam frowned. “Sorry? For what?”
Samuel let out a squeal followed by some intense babbling. My heart ached at the sound. One, because I loved my son. And two, because it was doing strange things to my insides to watch this man, this stranger, bring so much joy to my son. That was Trevor’s job. And yet, he couldn’t be bothered to take time out of his life to be here.
Or even reach out after his child was born.
I was spiraling, so I squared my shoulders and forced thoughts of my ex from my mind. “I shouldn’t have fallen asleep on my first day on the job.” I cleared my throat and forced a smile. One I hoped told Liam that I felt bad and also promised I would never do it again.
Liam studied me with a curious expression. I could tell that he wanted to default to his normal, flirty demeanor, but he was fighting that.
When he didn’t speak right away, frustration began to build. It frustrated me that Liam could say so much without really saying anything. In an effort to get him to speak, I narrowed my eyes as I held his gaze. I didn’t want this man judging me.
“It’s just sleep, Sabrina,” he said as he gave me a wide smile before turning his attention back to Samuel. “We all need it.” His voice rose in pitch as his gaze shifted back to my son.
I stared at him for a moment before I turned my attention out the window. Sure, Liam wanted me to relax. It was evident in the tone of his voice and in the words that he spoke. And sure, he was probably partially right. Sleeping was a human thing to do.
But I’d blown up my life to come with him. Everyone around me was expecting me to fail. If I relaxed, there was a likelihood that I’d go crawling back to Harmony—to Abigail—with my tail tucked between my legs.
I couldn’t do that. I was determined to prove everyone wrong.
I attempted my most professional sounding voice. “I guess I just want you to know that it won’t happen again.”
Liam quirked an eyebrow. “You’re never going to sleep again?” He punctuated his words with a wink.
I deadpanned. “Sleeping on the job.”
“Ah.”
“I want you know that I take this job seriously. I’m going to be the best assistant a rock star could ever ask for.”
Liam’s eyebrows went up.
I narrowed my eyes. “I mean it.”
Liam held up both hands. “I believe you.”
