He didn’t even bother to drop me first? I can’t blamehim. Despite the brief moment of strange intimacy we just shared, he probably can’t wait to get rid of me.
That’s a good thing. I need to be alone to figure out what to do next. What does this mean for me and for Tee?
“He has a guest apartment on the top level for us to stay in.” Liam steps out of the car.
For us to stay in?
My door opens, and Liam extends his hand to help me out. I take it, even though I’m not sure I want to step out of this car. Taking his hand feels like conceding something I don’t remember offering.
“We are staying at Xander’s house?” I search Liam’s face. Fuck, it’s exhausting to talk when you’re trying to avoid most topics.
“For the time being.”
“I have a home.”
He looks at me deadpan. “There is no room there for me.”
“So?”
“I’m not leaving you alone.”
His words unsettle me, as if I weren’t off-balance already. They are not romantic. Not reassuring. Just… final.
He gestures for me to move toward the stairs leading to the entrance. “After you.”
I don’t move. I glare at him, my mind trying to come up with a reasonable argument to return to my dingy apartment without AC. With a single, uncomfortable mattress and no food.
Most importantly, no company. While I want to be alone to gather my thoughts, I don’t really want to be alone.
Liam’s jaw twitches, but he waits for me to deliberate. As much as I want to assert my independence, I also want someone to be there for me.
And for whatever reason, he is willing to be that person.
My eyes drop to his hand. He freezes mid-flex.
“Two bedrooms?” I ask.
“I don’t know, but I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
Sighing, I move forward.
“Good girl,” he mutters, and I swear my ovaries do a floss dance.
We make our way to the third floor. The open-concept, exposed-brick living room and kitchen feel homely despite not being used.
Three glass domes serve as skylights, bringing natural light into the space furnished with a large sofa, a dining counter, and a Provençal-style kitchen.
I like the space immediately.
Unlike my apartment, this place feels lived-in,warm, and comfortable. Unlike the mansion I grew up in, this place has character.
Liam walks with purpose across the room and turns a corner. Staying by the door, I don’t quite know where to go or what to do.
It seems to match my overall existence at the moment. I hate the lack of control. I hate the uncertainty. The whole clusterfuck of decisions I need to make.
Liam reappears. “Only one bedroom. It’s yours, of course.”
“I won’t stay in your hair for too long. I just need to…” I don’t quite know how to even finish the sentence.
