When things with my ex-husband start getting too “real,” this is what I do? Run to the fakest thing in my life?
That doesn’t feel accurate for Liam and me, even making me cringe a little. Maybe our relationship is fake, but his support and companionship have become a coveted constant in my life over the last two months. That has to count for something if craving his comfort can lead me to wherever he is.
“Calypso Rainn, there you are.” Pippa’s melodic voice wraps a warm embrace around me before her arms do. “I’ve been asking that man of yours when you were going to visit me.”
Pippa has always been one of the most beautiful women in my eyes. She is only an inch shorter than me, and hasalways carried herself with the confidence of a queen. Even as she holds my shoulders at arms-length, there isn’t a wrinkle in her leotard or a strand of caramel brown hair poking out of her bun. I mean, it’s raining for God’s sake.
“Oh…” I blush, feeling guilty about my absence. It’s been months since we’ve had dinner, and I’ve declined two offers since the renovations started. “Sorry.”
Her eyes crinkle with amusement. “And you aren’t here to see me today, are you?”
I break under her stare and grimace at myself. “I just need to talk to Liam about something.”
“Mmm,” she hums with a meddlesome smile. “Well, let’s go find him and get out of the rain.”
Letting Pippa hook her arm through mine, we go into the studio. She excitedly tells me about the plans she and Liam have worked up, pointing out different projects as we walk through the south side of the building. Their expected timeline is four months, and they’re only a few weeks into the project. I’m glad to see her attitude has changed so drastically, though.
Pippa leads me to the offices, which is an area I had only been called to when I was in trouble. It feels weird despite being an adult and long graduated from her program.
Not far from the entrance, Liam is huddled over a desk with one of his employees. Hazel, I think. She’s one of the project managers, and Liam’s closest friend at work.
Between whatever Hazel is saying and the incessant buzzing of drills, there’s no way I should have caught Liam’s attention, but he looks up almost immediately. Worry and happiness fight for priority as he stands and makes his way toward me.
“She looked lost,” Pippa teases with a wink.
A bright grin pulls at Liam’s lips. “Thanks forreturning her.”
Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms and watch Pippa sashay out of the room. When I turn back to Liam, his head is tilted but his eyes are roving my body.
“You’re wet.”
I can’t help but snort. “Wait until we’re alone next time.”
His nostrils flare before letting out a deep breath. “Not what I meant.”
“You said it.” I shrug and pretend to look at my nails.
Shaking his head, Liam gently grabs my chin and forces me to look at him. “You walked here in the rain. What’s going on?”
“It was more of a sprinkle.” Exasperation threatens to take over his expression, so I cut him some slack. “I called Mia. And I just… wanted to tell you?”
The hand holding my chin is now wiping a smile off his own face. At least, he’s making a poor attempt at it. “You called Mia and needed to tell me right now?”
Well, when he says it likethat, it’s not lost on me that I could have called him. Or waited until we both got home.
Nothishome—my home.
My nose scrunches in embarrassment. “It felt like a good idea at the moment but now I am regretting it.”
I turn to leave but Liam catches my hand first. Interlacing our fingers, he pulls me into one of the empty offices. There aren’t any blinds, or even a door, but it creates a little more privacy.
Spinning me around, Liam pushes me until I’m resting against the abandoned desk and fits his legs between my knees. It’s an intimate position but lacks any sensuality at the moment. There’s only warmth and protection pulsing between us.
“What did Mia say?” he asks.
I shrug. “Not a lot. We didn’t get into the details yet, but she asked me to meet with her on Monday.”
He nods slowly, assessing me for a long moment. “Do you want me togo with you?”
