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“Then I’ll call Liv and figure out a way to get her to pull you back. Do we have a deal?”
I look at Connor and Finn as they make their way to the table, then I look at Killian and nod.
“Let’s do it.”
Chapter 18
Liv
Maybe I could call in sick tonight? Its Saturday, the club is going to be busy, and I am really not in the mood to be friendly with people. I didn’t have to go in last night, Killian called me and changed my shift, asked me to work tonight instead. I’m grateful, I don’t think I could have handled working with Josie last night.
I’ve managed to avoid the girls all week, and thankfully, Maxim has been out of town. He left for Russia on Saturday afternoon. I think he’s back now though, so not sure how much longer I can avoid him for.
Every day that passes, I feel like I lose another little bit of myself. Not having her in my life, knowing I’ll probably never see her again is killing me.
My lawyer was right, it didn’t matter how hard I fought, their money won out in the end.
There is no more agreement, no more visitation, they have full custody of her. I haven’t seen her in over a month, at least not to speak to.
I figured out which nursery she was in, so I have spent almost every weekday going for a run, making sure I pass there just when they are in the yard playing. I’ve seen her from afar, and she looks sad, playing alone in the corner. I don’t think she has any friends. I just want to grab her and run, but I know I have nothing to give her. I don’t have any money to be able to sustain us for a life on the run.
I set an alarm on my phone, giving me enough time to get ready before my shift. As much as I want to call in sick, I can’t do that, the O’Farrell’s have been good to me. I throw my phone on the floor beside me and lay on the sofa, pulling the blanket up to my neck. I’m sure I’ll feel better after a little sleep.
* * *
“Hey, Liv, I need to go change a couple of pumps downstairs, you going to be okay up here for ten minutes?”
I look over my shoulder at Dan as he stands by the end of the bar, waiting for my answer. I finish pouring the whiskey and hand it to the guy in front of me. He hands me a ten dollar bill.
“Keep the change.”
I smile to thank him and turn to Dan.
“Yeah, I got this. We seem to be pretty quiet at the minute, I can manage ten minutes.”
I was relieved when I got here earlier to find that I was working with Dan again. Apparently, Josie tried to convince the O’Farrell’s that I had taken money from the till and tried to get me fired. The brothers told her that without any evidence other than her word, they couldn’t fire me, but thought it was best that we were on different shifts going forward. That woman really does have it in for me.
I’m rearranging the bottles along the back wall when I sense his presence––our bodies know when the other is near, it’s like our souls are calling out to one another… its unnerving.
“Can I get a drink, please, Liv.”
I nod without turning and grab the whiskey and a glass, placing it on the counter in front of him as I start to pour three fingers.
“How did you know that’s what I wanted?”
“I… what? Sorry, it’s all you drank back in Chicago, and your brothers, they don’t really drink much of anything else, so I just assumed… I’m sorry, is there something else you would like? I can grab you another drink.”
His hand shoots out, grabbing mine. “No, Liv, I’m good with the whiskey, just wondered how you knew what I wanted. Are you okay? You seem a little, I don’t know… off, jittery maybe?”
My eyes shoot up to find him staring at me. His eyes are grey tonight, a little dull, but I see the concern.
I nod my head and smile; not entirely certain that my voice won’t betray me. I push the drink towards him and turn to put the bottle back on the shelf behind me, taking a deep breath and turning back.
“Is there anything else, Mr O’Farrell?”
He continues to watch me, his eyes narrowing, looking for something––I’m not sure what.
“Nothing else, and it’s Ronan, not Mr O’Farrell. Dan.”
