Liam holds my gaze, licks his lips, then smiles, and I'm forced to look away. I fan the pages in the corner of my book, hoping the slight breeze may cool me down from his silent—yet apparently seductive—reprimand.
"I'm serious, though, Tess. It's not a big deal. You'll stay with us for the week at least. What's an extra couple of days when I'll be gone, anyway? If you hate it, you move out after. I'll help you even." With that, he peers over, his green eyes piercing through the glass like they do to me. "Please."
His last word hits me in all the right places—the wrong places?I’m not even sure anymore. Once again, there’s a turn of events for this already emotional weekend, and I’m left with more questions than answers. Is Liam asking me to stay with him and Ruthie because he wants me there for her? Because he wants me there for him? Because he feels bad for me and thinks he should?
Either way, I know he means it.
And, surprisingly, the relief I feel outweighs any hesitation.
"Okay," I say softly. "Just for the week. And I'm paying rent."
His shoulders drop from his ears as he falls back into his seat. "It's a perk of the job."
"Not when I'm desperate."
He shakes his head, the corner of his lip curled up, but his hands tight again around the armrest—his body one big contradiction.
"Consider it your party-bonus."
22
Liam
Aday anda half.
That's all I got at home before I had to turn back around for the next series on the road. I should be grateful—normally we'd travel right through the week. But Grand Oaks is just a short flight away, and we happened to have an off day in between. So, the Gators got to make an unexpected stop in Golden City.
For a whopping day and a half.
It's probably a good thing. I'm not sure what I was thinking all but forcing Tessa to move in with us except that something clicked in me, and I had to protect her. I'm writing it off as simply doing what I'd hope someone would do for Ruthie one day if she ever found herself in the same position. But the way I held onto those armrests for dear life waiting for her to agree, reminds me of the truth.
The bed bugs comment was a good save—hopefully. And the fact that we technically have reasoning and a timeline. Besides the measly thirty-six hours I spent at home where she was in and out anyway—back and forth from her storage unit to our house—we'll only be home together for the length of the party.
Together.
The thought somehow splits me in two. I have three games and a tween sleepover this week. There's no time to focus on much else, let alone the not-so-dull glow I feel from my nanny currently living in myhouse. But it's also been a long time since I felt that spark—since I even wanted to. And I'd be lying if the idea didn't intrigue me. If the fact that I'm still capable didn't excite me more than I know it should.
Because it's Tessa.
And… what happens now?
"Man, how many times in the last decade have we been in the same city at the same time?"
I'm pulled from my trance, my eyes still trained on the way the foam at the top of my beer dissolves one bubble at a time. I glance over at Levi, my elbows propped on the counter of some hole-in-the-wall bar we fell into.
"Maybe three?" I say, bringing my glass to my lips. "Not enough."
Levi huffs out a breath and takes a sip of his beer. "Exactly."
Our bartender comes by for what feels like the tenth time since we sat down five minutes ago and smiles at me. I grin back, my lips tight, then take a sip.
"So, how do you think the boys will do against the Knights tomorrow?"
Levi stares at me, his eyes narrow but doesn't respond. Instead, he watches the petite brunette with her hair twisted back walk into the kitchen, then whips around to me.
"What?"
He laughs and shakes his head, then sets his cup back on the bar as his smile flattens. "Are you ever gonna date again?" he asks, his voice serious.
