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That’s what I’m thinking when the crowd surges in, pushing me back so the space between us disappears. But he’s got me. His hand slides around my side, his fingers extending over my belly as he draws me into the hard-packed wall of muscle that is his chest. Suddenly, all that easy and effortlessly comfortable evaporates beneath the wash of his breath against my ear.
“Sorry,” he says, sending goosebumps cascading down my neck and arms. “This is why I skip the bar after the games.”
He does?
Edging past me, he takes my hand and uses that big body to cut through the crowd.
The music and noise from the bar are muted when we reach the empty sidewalk out front. It’s just the two of us. Liam, wearing his suit and this sort of satisfied look on his face, helps me into my coat and takes the scarf from my pocket to wrap loosely around my neck.
“Are you the team Mother Hen?” I ask into the chilly night air.
Liam’s eyes come up from where he’s slowly buttoning my coat. He huffs a laugh, the corners of his eyes crinkling in a way that has my knees going a little weak.
How can one man be so gorgeous?
“Not even close.”
“Just me you can’t stop taking care of, then?”
There’s a twitch at the corner of his mouth, and I wait, leaning into the space between us, knowing the joke is coming.
“Guess I’m just an old-fashioned guy when it comes to marriage.”
I roll my eyes, grinning as he digs in his pocket and pulls out his wallet.
“Speaking of… I got you something.”
I blink, not sure what to make of it.
“You did?”
“I’m assuming you haven’t found a lawyer yet?”
That spiraling dread is back in a flash. “I’ve got a few calls in but with the holidays and—”
“I got one, she’s good.” He pulls a card from his wallet and puts it in my hand. “But you take her.”
I look down at the card and then back to the man I’m so amicably severing ties with. “You want me to take your lawyer?”
“Guessing it’s easier for me to find someone without drawing a lot of attention than it is for you.”
He got me a divorce lawyer. I blink back the tears that mist my eyes.
“It’s felt like throwing darts at the wall approaching these people. Sure, everyone knows someone who knows a good divorce lawyer, but how do you ask when you don’t want anyone to know you’re even married?” I draw a shaky breath. “Thank you. This makes a really big difference.”
Liam wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into his chest.
I give myself the count of three to soak up his comfort and strength and that hint of soap and something distinct to Liam, and then I step back with a smile, telling myself the feeling in my chest is gratitude and nothing else.
8
Stormy
It’s the last meeting on the last day of the year, but between seeing Liam after the game two nights ago and the email that landed three hours ago, I’m checked out.
I’ve seen all these numbers.
I made the graphics.
