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“Right.”
“Hey, George—”
I walk the plates around to the breakfast nook, which overlooks the grounds and also the cottage. Liam and the girl are facing one another, deep in conversation, deep in what appears to maybe be an argument, judging by their body language and hand gestures.
“Hello?”
The girl stands on her tippy-toes, leans in, and kisses Liam on the mouth. He says something, and they look my way. Backing away from the window, I reposition the phone. “Yeah?”
“You sound busy.”
“I said that.”
“Okay…well…next time you throw one of your brilliant parties, invite me, would you? I’m not exaggerating when I say I heard it was really something.”
“I can’t recall.”
He laughs. “That’s the George I know.”
When I don’t respond, he blows a long and heavy sigh straight into my ear. “We really need to catch up. Let’s put something on the calendar. I’ll have my assistant email you.”
“Okay. Sure,” I say, which we both know is probably a lie. Other than handing him fifteen percent of my earnings, we really don’t know each other all that well, and I’ve never been much good at small talk.
“It’s good to see you getting back in the game.”
Upstairs, the shower shuts off.
“Listen,” he says. “I gotta run. Tell that lovely wife of yours I say hello.”
“Will do.”
He gasps loudly, which causes me to wince. “Oh. Damn…I almost forgot. I read a bit of the manuscript. Have to say, it’s your best work yet. Certainly better than anything that’s currently on the market.”
“Really?” I’m not immune to fishing for praise, especially if it’s unwarranted.
“One hundred percent,” he tells me. “It’s going to be a smash hit. Just wait. Your fans are going to gobble this up.”
“Fingers crossed.” Truth is, I don’t know what he’s talking about. I haven’t sent him anything. Which only leaves one person. Two, tops.
“Really—whatever it is you’re doing—just keep it up. And don’t forget...next party…I’m there. It’ll be like the good old days.”
Ending the call, I lay the phone on the countertop. I can’t help but smile. It’s nice to have him sound happy on a call. It’s been a long time since such a thing has happened. Years, in fact.
Eve descends the stairs wearing a towel wrapped around her hair and a smile on her face. Something in that smile makes me think I’m going to have to find a way to keep this going, to keep Liam around. At least long enough to finish this novel, set me up on the charts, and land me a new contract.
On the other side of the lawn, the girl throws up her hands. The kissing over, it’s turned into an all-out lover’s quarrel, for sure. I’m glad. I’ve seen what women like her can do. It’s like watching a fire going through dry grass with a strong wind.
“This looks amazing,” Eve says, eyeing the spread. “God, George. You make me so happy.”
“I couldn’t ask for more,” I tell her.
As Eve sips her coffee, she gazes out the window. Eventually, her eyes land on the cottage. “Liam had company stay over.” She looks over at me with a sly grin. “How wonderful for him.”
“Yes,” I say, knowing I have to tread carefully. Some lies require more lies. This, and it has occurred to me that not only is Liam fixing my novel, he’s fixing my life.
Chapter Fifteen
The girl stays at the cottage long after the party ends, long after I spy on her during breakfast Saturday morning. As a matter of fact, she stays the entire weekend, with no sign of departure anytime soon.
