Yes.
Thankfully, I don’t blurt that out. Instead I go with, “Doyouwant to go with me?”
“Yeah.” His chest drops at the admission, like he was physically holding that back. “But I won’t overstep on this.”
Biting my lip, I let my eyes move around the empty space and focus on his musky cologne. Liam already knows everything that is currently going on, but there’s a lot about our divorce I’ve never shared. It’s less about not wanting him to know, and more about not wanting to think about those years with Stefan for a second longer.
My instincts tell me to run, as fast and far as possible, but Liam is always ready to fight and protect the people around him. Stefan has made it clear that he won’t give up. Not until I’m worn down and hopeless, at which point I’d willingly go back to him.
No, never again.
Looking up at him with raw vulnerability, I know I need a little bit of Liam’s influence to get through this. “Yeah, you can go with me.”
A smile plays at his lips but he bites it back, quite aware his smugness wouldn’t be appreciated right now.
“I’m proud of you for calling her,” he says in a low, smooth voice and brushes his calloused thumb along my cheek.
I sneer and flinch back. “Praise isnotmy kink.”
“It’s a good thing I’m not trying to turn you on right now.” He lets out a dark chuckle and leans closer. “If I were, I’d be on my knees already.”
Squinting at him, I push his chest and create some much needed distance. “I’m leaving now.”
“I’ll drive you,” he says, already pulling his keys out.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to argue with him, but the rain is now falling in a heavy sheet against the window and roof. With a look of concession, I follow him out of the office and accept the work jacket he offers me before we step outside.
By the time we make the short drive back to Brighter Daze, my anxiety has folded itself back into the ratty, old box in the corner of my mind. It will rear its ugly head soon enough, I’m sure. Probably as we’re stepping into Mia’s office next week, but Liam will be there. That’s something.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Calypso
One of my favorite things about the slow months, other than getting to sleep in more, is how much time I have to try new recipes.
There are a lot of things to hate about the slow months as well, like having to budget for the weeks that the bakery isn’t bringing in its share of profits. Lexi experiences these drops as well. Despite how many times we make it through to the otherside, it never gets easier.
It’s important to hold onto the bright side.
Today, that is my chai and pear scones.
At least I hope so.
Pear isn’t the most popular fruit, but it’s a combination I’ve wanted to try for a while.
I pull the baking sheet out of the oven and set it on the worktable. The scones need to cool before I add the two glaze options—simple vanilla and maple butter.
It’s a good time when I see my mom’s name pop up on my phone screen.
“Hey, Mom,” I say and mindlessly flip through a recipe I’ve started to put together. It’s a binder full of scribbled recipes, printed out photos for inspiration, and a bunch of other random shit I wanted to come back to later.
One day I’ll sit down and organize it, I’ve told myself for two years now.
“Hi, Lyp,” she says in her soft, smooth voice. “How’s your day?”
I shrug even though she can’t see it. “It’s been good. I’m trying a new recipe.”
She asks about that, which takes up a few minutes of time. I hoped it would be enough to distract her from Liam and Stefan, but she called with an agenda.
