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Cora waved back.What are you up to out there?
“Ah,” Genevieve said as if she understood the answer to a puzzle. “That makes sense.”
“What?” Cora dragged her gaze back to Finn’s sister.
“I’m biased, of course. But that guy?” She nodded to Liam. “I get it.” With a knowing smile, Genevieve went back to the kitchen.
Cora was too focused on Liam’s odd behavior to respond. His gaze kept darting to the railing, and he’d toned down his hand gestures. She once caught a kid leaving a grocery store with his pockets full of stolen candy. Liam had that same guilty look on his face. He glanced back at her once more, then turned away sharply. She felt as if she’d just been dismissed. Whatever was going on with him, he didn’t want to share it with her. That hurt. Maybe he was talking to another woman. That possibility hurt even more. She had no right to feel possessive, but she couldn’t help it.
Suzette let out a squeal, and the group at the kitchen table hollered like a pack of banshees. A man with a goatee sitting across from Suzette fanned out his cards and pumped his fist in triumph.
“That’s it,” Suzette said. “You’re all going down because I’m bringing out my secret weapon. Cora!”
With a final glance at Liam on the balcony, Cora made her way to the kitchen.
Suzette took one look at her face and told the people at the table, “I need a minute.” To the man with the goatee, she added, “No peeking at my cards while I’m gone, or I’ll sic my friend on you, and she fights dirty.”
Suzette led her down the hall and into the bathroom. Once the door was shut, she spun around and crossed her arms. “What’s wrong? You have that look you always get right before you cry.”
“I do not,” Cora said, doing her best to gather herself together.
“Do, too. Your face is doing that sad, lost-puppy-in-the-rain thing.”
“I’m fine.” Cora rolled her eyes.
“Cool, cool.” Suzette studied her hair in the mirror and began smoothing it. “Now, tell me what’s really going on.”
“I don’t know,” Cora said with a heavy sigh. “Finn just told us he’s moving to New York City at the end of the summer.”
“Wow.” Suzette stopped fixing her hair. “That really sucks.”
“It does,” Cora said. “But it’s not just that. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m all mixed-up inside.”
“Just tell Finn you like him, and you don’t want him to go,” Suzette said. “Anyone can see you guys would make a great couple. He’d be a fool to leave you.”
“That’s not the problem.”
“Look, if you’re worried, don’t be. I’m a zillion percent sure he’s into you.”
“Suze, I’m sorry Finn’s leaving, but this isn’t about him.” Cora took a deep breath and exhaled in a rush. “I think I’m falling in love with Liam.”
Suzette raised a russet brow and slowly leaned against the counter. “Whoa.”
“Yeah, and he doesn’t feel the same,” Cora said miserably. “I casually brought up the fact that I had feelings for him at lunch the other day, and he said he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize our friendship.”
“Oh, I hate that excuse.” Suzette looked disgusted. “If a guy really wants you, then he’s not going to let anything stand in the way.”
“I think he might still have feelings for his ex, or maybe he’s seeing someone else. I have no idea.” Cora rubbed her temples. “It’s so weird because I swear a part of him feels the way I do. He even agreed that when we kissed the other night, it felt right.”
“Hold up.” Suzette lifted her hand. “Youkissedhim?”
Cora nodded. “Briefly.”
“Okay, first of all, you’re in trouble for not telling me sooner. But that can wait. More important, he kissed you back and agreed it felt right?”
“Yeah, but then he said something about our paths not running parallel.” Cora shook her head in frustration. “All I know is for whatever reason, he isn’t interested in starting something with me.”
“Thenmakehim interested,” Suzette said with a wicked gleam in her eye.
