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She made a noncommittal sound and disappeared down the hall to her bedroom. A few minutes later, he heard the shower running and glanced at the cat. “She seems to be in a mood. We’ll need to stay sharp.”
Angel yawned, tucked into a circle, and settled in for a nap.
“Fine help you are,” Liam muttered.
Cora came down the hall ten minutes later smelling like her favorite sweet, herbal shower soap. She was wearing baggy sweatpants and a tank top, and her freshly washed hair hung in damp ringlets down her back. Without glancing in his direction, she stalked past the living room and into the kitchen.
The clock on the mantel chimed, reminding Liam just how dire his situation was. Time was not on his side. Determined to bring her and Finn together no matter what, he followed her into the kitchen with renewed purpose.
Cora was standing at the counter making what she called “spa water,” which consisted of a few slices of citrus fruit and a handful of raspberries tossed into a pitcher of water with ice. Liam had tried it once and been underwhelmed. Cora had said it was healthy and refreshing, but Liam didn’t care. Raw kale was also supposed to be healthy, but that didn’t mean he felt inclined to choose it over, say, a refreshing plate of chocolate chip cookies.
“We have juice and lemonade in the fridge,” he told her, just in case she didn’t know.
She shrugged a shoulder but didn’t turn around. Her back was ramrod straight and her voice sounded strained. “I’m fine.”
He fiddled with a stack of mail on the counter, glancing sideways at her. Something had her hackles up, and he had a gnawing feeling in his gut it had to do with him. “Are you...all right?”
“I’m fine,” she repeated, methodically slicing oranges.
So, that was a definite “no.” If there was one thing that he knew about women, no matter the century, “I’m fine” delivered in that tone could mean a great many things, none of which were the literal interpretation. But it was best not to poke a hornet’s nest. Instead, he forged ahead with his plan. “Listen, I have an idea for dinner tonight. How about we barbecue and invite Finn over?”
Cora stopped slicing for a split second, then resumed as if she hadn’t heard him. But now her posture was even stiffer than before, and her shoulders were almost to her ears. He’d somehow lost ground, but there was nothing for it. The best he could do was keep pushing forward because he was racing the clock. If time waited for no man, then he was currently the pitiful straggler in last place.
“We could throw steaks on the grill and make those frosty drinks you like.” He walked to the freezer to check for the frozen bags of margarita slush. “There are three bags in here. One for each of us.”
Cora tossed the fruit into the pitcher. “No, thanks.”
“You don’t want to barbecue tonight?”
“Nope.” She made a blasé popping sound with thepat the end of the word.
“There’s a new fast and angry race car movie showing at the theater,” he said hopefully. “We could all go see that and get dinner afterward?”
“Count me out.” She poured herself a glass of water and began to drink.
“Bowling, then,” he offered, moving to the next item on the list of activities he’d mentally prepared. If not that, there was ice-skating, miniature golf, and some type of pottery painting activity, which, quite frankly, sounded abysmal. Who would willingly sit in a room painting dishes for hours on end? He’d rather walk blindfolded and barefoot across a floor full of tacks, but desperate times and all that. It didn’t really matter what they did, as long as it involved Cora spending as much time as possible with Finn. “Finn seems to be quite a decent athlete. I’m sure he’d enjoy—”
“Will you stop?” Cora plunked her glass on the counter, her mouth pressed tight with annoyance. He’d expected that, but the sadness in her eyes made his heart ache, as if his suggestions were hurting her feelings. “Just stop, Liam. I know what you’re trying to do, and it’s not necessary.”
He took a step back, curling his hands into fists so he wouldn’t be tempted to reach for her. If he could just hold her for a while, it would make them both feel better, but he knew he couldn’t do that. Painful or not, he had to remember the bigger picture. “I’m not trying to make you mad, Cora. I was just thinking we should spend more time with Finn, that’s all.”
She crossed her arms. “Both of us, or just me?”
“Both,” he lied. “Finn has helped us a lot these past few weeks. He’s a good man, and I just thought it would be nice if you—I mean, if all of us—”
“Enough.” She shouldered past him to leave.
“What’s the matter with you?” Liam asked in frustration. They’d never get anywhere if she wasn’t willing to talk.
Cora spun to face him. “Do you think I was born yesterday? I know you’re trying to set me up with Finn. I saw that coming a mile away, the moment you started singing his praises in the car last Friday night. And you know what’s funny? I agree with you. Finn is a great guy. I know that probably better than you do, but I’m not going to jump his bones just because you’ve decided to throw me at him.”
Anger suddenly flared, hot and bright. “I’m not throwing you at him.” But it was another lie, wasn’t it? He was trying to do exactly that, and though it couldn’t be helped, he hated himself for it. The very idea of giving her up settled over his shoulders like a cloak of poisonous thorns he couldn’t rip off. Even when he was forcing himself to do the right thing, the stinging knowledge that he was going to lose her permeated every waking moment. Sometimes, it was enough to drive him mad.
“Save it, Liam,” Cora said, holding up a hand. “I don’t need your help finding a man. I’ve done perfectly fine on my own before you, and I’ll do just fine after you’re gone.”
After you’re gone.
His anger suddenly dissolved into bleak despair, settling into the pit of his stomach like yesterday’s ashes. Liam knew he wasn’t long for this world. The concept was nothing new, but the reality of it hurt so much more when it came from Cora’s lips. She thought she’d be all right after he was gone, but nothing could be further from the truth.
