I shrug. "Nothing."
"Tessa…"
"Liam…"
He arches a brow.
"It's probably easier if I just get a hotel room," I admit. "Until I find something else."
He stares blankly, looking long enough that I glance over my shoulder thinking someone might have stepped up behind me. His face scrunches briefly, almost as if he's having an argument with himself mentally, but then his expression evens out again.
"No," he says definitively.
My forehead creases. "Huh?"
He leans back in his seat, his head pressed against the cushion like he's forcing it there. "No."
I, once again, look around confused. "I—I don't understand what's happening here."
Liam relaxes his shoulders—either confident or defeated—his eyes falling shut. "You'll stay with us."
"Ohh," I drag out, shaking my head, my heart instantly working double time. "No, no, that's not necessary."
"You're not staying in a hotel, Tessa," Liam says, jerking his palms to the armrests.
"Well, no, not forever." I look down at his giant hands wrapped around the padding and watch as his fingers curl in tighter. "Just until I can—"
"You're. Not. Staying. In. A. Hotel." His voice is stern but sincere, his words breaking off in chunks like he's trying to hold them back. But they hit me with an unexpected heat.
I stare at him, not that he notices considering his lids are still closed, attempting to swallow his words—and my reaction to them.
Eventually, he cracks one eye, then sighs in surrender. He sits up, squaring his shoulders my way. "Look… you were going to stay through my next series, then help with Ruthie's party, right?"
I nod.
"Then, there ya go. You can stay with us this week and help me with the prep since I'll be gone again, anyway. That'll give you the time you need to find something else without staying in some sketchy hotel." I go to argue, but he cuts me off. "And it'll give me peace of mind that you won't bring bed bugs into the house."
I tilt my chin down as he cracks a smile that—mixed with the sweatpants and glasses—should really be illegal. I inhale deeply, considering his suggestion. Admittedly, in the midst of all the action this weekend, I sort of forgot about both his next series and the party, anyway.
"I wasn't planning on staying in a Motel 6…" I mumble defensively, loud enough for him to hear.
He chuckles and rolls his eyes playfully, more at peace than he was before. "Listen, we have a room that's already deemed yours, and you need a place to stay. It's a no brainer."
"I know," I admit. "And I appreciate that, but…"
My voice trails off as Liam paints an expression I haven't seen in probably fifteen years. One that says he's not taking my bullshit, and arguing with him will get me nowhere.
I part my lips, then slam them shut, then open them again. "Did you just…"
The corners of his lips turn up, and I scoff.
"Did you just give methe dad look?"
He purses his lips playfully and lifts one shoulder. "Maybe."
My mouth hangs open as I try to decide if I find the idea more annoying or attractive, then laugh to myself. "Damn," I mutter aloud accidentally, my voice breathy and seductive. I immediately sink into my seat as I come to the obvious conclusion. That was hot.
A chill runs down my back as I replay it in my head, but when he glances in my direction, I fumble for a cover. "You, uh, you really got this whole girl dad thing down."
