Mr. Darcy turned his head back toward Liam like he was auditioning forThe Exorcist: FelinePossession.
I stepped in close, repositioning Liam’s grip. His hands were stiff, as if any change in position was too risky. Mr. Darcy scrabbled once more, then went still as the blanket wrapped around him. His breathing slowed, his small body softening into the fabric.
“There,” I said quietly. “Good boy.”
We stood there for a moment, both of us looking down at the small, bundled shape on my bed. The roadworks’ hammering started up again, and the cat twitched violently in alarm.
“He’ll settle better out there.” I nodded toward the living room. “It’s quieter.”
“I can—”
“Thanks, I’ve got him.”
I lifted the cat and carried him out, setting him down in his basket by the sofa. By the time I left the room, his eyes were already drifting shut.
Back in the bedroom, Liam was standing exactly where I’dleft him. It was dark, barely the odd shaft of late afternoon sun making its way through the blinds.
He looked up.
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah,” I said. “He just needed to calm down.”
For a second, neither of us spoke. I pulled a stray hair from the side of my face where it had stuck to my mouth.
“Thanks, Liam. Again.”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Anytime.”
The room stayed quiet. Even the jackhammer down below had paused.
Liam’s hand fell back to his side. He looked very large and out of place in the tiny bedroom.
“So… I should probably… you know.” I tipped my head toward the kitchen.
“Yes?” he said.
“If you wanted—”
A small, dark line had formed between his brows. He didn’t speak.
“Tea,” I said, the word coming out fainter than I’d meant it to.
He nodded but didn’t move.
I could hear the whisper of fabric as I smoothed my skirt down with a hand. Still too short.
Everything in the room seemed to retreat except him.
Somehow, without quite noticing, I’d stepped forward. I raised my chin to look at him.
“Liam—” My voice was quiet.
“Yes, Andrea?”
I opened my lips to speak. His eyes met mine, then dropped to my mouth. I lifted my hand, stopped halfway, then let it rest just below his collarbone.
He inhaled, chest rising under my fingertips.
