“That was then,” I tell him. “We’re adults now and more responsible,”
“Shame,” he says in that lazy drawl of his that weakens my knees.
Sadie excuses herself to go to the restroom. The moment she's gone, Liam leans closer.
“Why was your phone off yesterday?”
The question rips all the air from my lungs. I knew it was coming, but I'm still not sure what to say.
The truth is that after my meeting with Jennifer, the reality of what we’re doing hit me. WhatI’mdoing.
I spent the entire day managing Liam’s crisis while falling deeper into feelings I have no business having for a client. Then during the game, Sadie texted me that she was in New York meeting a gallery owner.
After the game ended, I went straight home, deliberately turning off my phone because I couldn't handle anything else. When Sadie arrived an hour later with wine and takeout, I broke down.
We spent the night on my couch, drinking wine and talking about Liam. About how he makes me feel, about the professional complications, about how terrified I am of losing control.
And somewhere around the second bottle, I admitted the truth. I'm too far gone. I'm in love with Liam Novak and I have no idea how to handle it.
Sadie's advice was simple. Enjoy the ride and keep it very, very private.
And I was ready to do exactly that. Until I turned my phone back on this morning and saw the headlines about his bar fight.
“I saw the fight,” I say instead of answering his question. “At Club Falcon.”
His jaw tightens.
“You have a hospital visit at two PM,” I continue. “With sick children who are going to be so excited to meet you and last night you were in a fight.”
“I know.” He looks away, shame drawn on his face. “I fucked up.”
“What happened?”
He sighs. “They were talking shit about the team. About me specifically. And I just snapped. I was already spiraling because you weren't answering your phone and I thought maybe you'd decided this was a mistake, that you were done with me. Then these assholes started running their mouths and I lost it.”
My heart squeezes.
“I know it was stupid. I know I should have walked away.” He meets my eyes, and the raw honesty there makes my breath catch. “But I was hurt and angry and I took it out on the nearest target. I'm sorry.”
I should be disappointed but all I can think about is that my disappearance hurt him. “The hospital visit today,” I say quietly. “Show them the Liam I know, not the one who gets into bar fights.”
“The Liam you know?” His voice is soft.
I nod. “The one who?—”
“What did I miss?” Sadie sits down with a grin.
The food arrives, saving me from having to respond. We eat while Sadie regales Liam with more twin stories, which he can’t seem to get enough of.
Liam is fully engaged, asking questions, laughing at the right moments, and I can see why people like him so much when he's like this. He's charming without being sleazy, interested without being intrusive, present in a way that makes you feel like you're the only person in the room.
“So where are you based?” he asks Sadie as we're finishing up.
“Chicago. I have a studio there. I'm just here for two nights for a potential client meeting then maybe check out some galleries.”
“Galleries?” His face lights up. “We should go. I know nothing about art, but I'm excellent at pretending to be cultured.”
Sadie laughs. “I like him,” she tells me. “Can we keep him?”
