Page 59 of City of Liars

38

Theo

The Carters’ building had ornate Tuscan columns and potted firs that flanked the arched doorway. A portico covered the limestone entrance, fronted by arched windows topped with carved fruit garlands. The place practically screamed old money.

As I strode toward the front door, I should’ve been more focused on the freaky shit that had prompted Liv to call me in the middle of the night. But I couldn’t stop thinking about finishing what we’d started that afternoon.

It was a terrible idea. Our combustible chemistry was bad enough, but on top of it, Will was right. I liked her, maybe too much, which could lead nowhere good. But I hated the idea of her alone and frightened in that apartment. It triggered every protective instinct I had.

One thing was for sure: I wasn’t going to tell her about my mother’s ridiculous threats to sue. I’d find the ambulance chaser she’d hooked up with and make them both back off.

The doorman buzzed me upstairs and, in the elevator, I did my best to pull myself together. But when Liv swung the door wide, yoga pants hugged her curves, and I was pretty sure she wasn’t wearing a bra under her green v-neck. Her hair was down, cascading over her shoulders.

Goddamn it.

I was a big boy, I told myself grimly. I could control myself.

“Hi,” she said, flashing me a smile that trembled a little around the edges. “Come in.”

39

Liv

Theo edged into the apartment, careful not to touch me. “Hi back,” he said, shrugging off his jacket. Beneath it, he wore what he’d had on earlier—a forest-green Henley that complemented his eyes and dark jeans that made him look edible.

Self-consciousness seized me. Should I have put on a bra or wrapped myself in a cardigan? Maybe he’d decided what happened this afternoon was a big mistake.

Which it was. Probably. But why did I feel so disappointed?

An awkward silence hung between us, which we made even more awkward by breaking at the same time.

“Do you want—” I began, just as he cleared his throat.

“I’m sorry for⁠—”

“You go,” I said, waving a hand in his direction.

“I was going to apologize for what happened…in the cab.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I was out of line.”

A blush heated my cheeks. “Don’t apologize. I-I liked it,” I said, the heat spreading over my entire body.

“Shit, Liv. Don’t tell me that.” Theo shoved his hands into his pockets, glancing at the walls, the floor, the windows—anywhere but at me.

“It’s the truth.”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. And I’m just going to keep apologizing for what happened next, with my mother.”

“That wasn’t your fault.” How could he think otherwise?

“I’m still sorry. I should’ve texted you back. It was shitty of me.”

“Apology accepted.” Before I could think better of it, I laid a hand on his arm. It was rock hard under my touch, the muscles tight. “Please don’t feel bad about your mother. I told you about how my bio mom had drug problems. I’m not judging you based on how your mother behaves. Just don’t judge me based on mine…either one of them.”

His eyes were shadowed, pained, but he gave me a small smile. “Deal. So, um…do you want to talk about your dream some more?”

I shook my head. “I’d rather forget about it, honestly. But I did make some interesting discoveries after I left you.”

I told him about what I’d read about Maisie and my theories about her granddaughter’s true identity. “It’s crazy, I know,” I finished, “but what if, when we meet her tomorrow, we’re meeting the granddaughter of the real Ella Carter?”