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“Oh, no—”
“Holly, I made a mistake. I love you. We were good together. We can be again. This is what you wanted. So, I’m giving it to you.”
“This is not how I wanted it. And I wanted it years ago.” My voice shakes. I rub my hands down my face, unsure how this is happening to me. “Get up.”
“Not until you say yes to me. You love me—”
“Get up—”
The front door opens, cutting me off as my parents walk in with Liam behind them.
“Honey, are you okay? Liam said you ran—oh dear. . .” My mom takes in Vincent, down on one knee, holding out a ring. Fuck. “Oh my goodness, did we just walk into? Are you two—”
“No,” I spit out while “Yes” comes out of Vincent’s. My mouth drops. I gaze down at him, murder in my eyes, and debate on kicking his teeth in. He sees the threat and quickly stands, turning to my mom.
“Hello, you must be Margaret. Your daughter has told me so much about you.” My mom blushes and reaches out to shake his hand. “I just want to tell you I love your daughter immensely and hope you give us your blessing—”
“I didn’t say—”
“Oh, um…of course. Henry, how wonderful is this?” She turns to my dad. He doesn’t move a muscle. My gaze moves from my nervous looking mom to my frowning dad to a furious Liam. My mom catches wind, worry suddenly replacing her excitement. Her gaze flits around the room until it lands back on me. “Well, should we celebrate?” Rubbing her hands down her jacket, she continues. “I can put the roast in the oven early. I already have the pies—”
I step toward my mom. Vincent gets the wrong idea and steps in front of me. “Mom, no pies. No—”
Dad interjects. “Oh, honey, you put up the mistletoe. What a nice surprise. And look, you two lovebirds are under it.” Dad points up to the mistletoe I hung. “Wait, isn’t that the one you put up every year for…” His comment fades off as he looks between me and Liam.
I stare at Liam as he slowly brings his gaze from the mistletoe to me. My lungs constrict. I suck in a hard breath. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows deeply, his eyes full of betrayal and the burning question: How could I? I open my mouth to explain, but he beats me to it.
“Well, it looks like she’s doing just fine. Didn’t mean to worry you both. I’m just going to head out.” Then he turns to walk out.
“Liam, wait,” I call out, but he doesn’t stop. I rush past my parents. Vincent calls out to me, and I turn around, ready for battle. “You’re crazy to think I would get back together with you. Insane. As for the job? Hard pass. I wouldn’t give another ounce of my time to a company that undervalues its employees and clearly favors men over women. Especially if it was that easy to have your golfing buddy fire me to avoid your own name being smeared in the mud.” I huff out an angered breath. “And it’s a hell no on the proposal. Get out of my house before you meet my dad’s shotgun.” With that, I shift on my heel and race out the door after Liam.
“Liam!” I yell his name as I run after him. Damn, he’s pretty fast. “Seriously, stop. That wasn’t what it looked like.”
He slams on his heel and turns around. I skid to a stop, almost sliding into him. “What do you want, Holls? Congratulations? Sorry, I’m kind of out of those.” He spins and treks faster down the street.
“Liam, stop!” When he doesn’t, I throw out a low blow. “Running again?” He halts, slowly turning to face me. I suck in a deep breath at the tick in his jaw, instantly regretting my words. “I just wanted you to stop. I didn’t mean it.”
“Oh, you meant it. You’ve always said what’s on your mind. You get caught and spew truths. You blame me, and I get it. But this?” He waves behind me. “This is low.”
I flinch at his sudden coldness. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Back there, it wasn’t—”
“So fucking sweet. Hope you two have a great life together.” Once again, he dismisses me. I bend down and pick up a pile of snow, whipping it at his back. When he turns back, a pulsing vein protrudes out of his neck. Shit. “What more do you want from me? You want a reaction? Well, here it is. You’re a liar. Spewing all this bullshit to me, sleeping in my bed, and for what? Just to go back to him?”
My mouth drops at his accusation. “What—no—you know what? While we’re here calling each other out, why don’t we talk about your deployment? When were you going to tell me about that?” He goes completely still. “Who’s the liar now?”
