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Mom, of course, is waving away, making a big show out of it. “Bye now, God bless! Drive safe, young man!”
Liam raises a hand as we drive away. Meanwhile, I put my head in my hands.
“I’m sorry about her,” I groan. “That was painful. I owe you one.”
“How do you mean?”
“Um. Were you at the same lunch as me? It was like she was checking a dog for its pedigree.”
“I like her.” He shrugs. “She reminds me of you in a lot of ways.”
“How?!” I demand.
Liam chuckles. “Asks inappropriate questions. Laughs a lot. Takes a genuine interest in people.”
I glance back at my still waving, perma-smiling mother. “She took a stalker-level interest in you. Seriously, she’s probably going to text me in twenty seconds asking how the drive is going.”
“I think it’s nice that she’s waving us off.”
I roll my eyes. “She’s only doing that for our next-door neighbor Laura Lynn’s benefit. Her daughter’s dating asurgeon.”
Liam’s brow wrinkles. “I’m not sure I’m following,” he says as he retrieves a pair of sunglasses from the center console and slides them on.
Damn.The man can wear the heck out of a pair of shades.
Tom Ford, too. Impeccable taste.
And great multitasking skills. I’ve always been impressed by people who can do other things while driving. I have a hard time keeping the car moving in a straight line on a road at the best of times. Easily distracted by squirrels, etc.
“It’s like a neighborhood competition,” I explain. “Whose offspring has mated the most successfully.”
Liam’s lips curl up. “Mated?”
My cheeks fill with heat.
Wow. Great word choice, Annie. Way to jump the gun.
“Dated! I said dated.”
“No, you didn’t.” Liam takes my hand and his thumb brushes the sensitive skin along the edge of my palm, giving me goosebumps. “So I should take it as a compliment that she wanted to show me off to the neighbors?”
“Absolutely. By the time she’s on her first Moscato of the evening, our entire cul-de-sac will know all aboutAnnie’s new friend.” I add air quotes around the last bit.
“Well, as long as they hear only good things. I don’t want that to be the last time I come by.”
My stomach twists in the best way. “Well that’s nice, because I’m pretty sure my parents are way weirder than your family.”
Liam smiles. “My mom was the sweetest, friendliest person on the planet. You would’ve loved her. My dad and stepmom, however, are…” He coughs slightly. His jaw tenses. “Different. You’ll meet them this weekend. We’re not close.”
I bite my lip and mull over this information. Remember Mindy’s words about the Donovan kids’ childhood. How sad and pensive Liam looks every time he recalls his mom. I don’t want to pry, but I’m curious about Liam’s family. He’s so close-lipped about, well, everything. The more he opens up, the more I want to know. “I’m guessing there’s a reason for that?”
Liam’s jaw is tight and he screws up his nose for a few moments, like he’s carefully choosing his next words. “Several reasons. I’ve tried to have a relationship with them over the years, but my father… he doesn’t approve of a lot of my life choices. Of the business Luke and I are running. Of Lana Mae being a single mother. It can make things… difficult.”
Noted. Mr. Donovan Senior is a bit of a jackass.
“And your stepmom?” I ask tentatively.
Liam makes a face. “She’s married to my dad.”
