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Victoria and I go through the motions. We smile. We laugh. We kiss. Rinse and repeat.
After the fireworks show, we all head back to the house. Victoria and I take the scenic route because I want some time away from my friends to get my thoughts together. When we finally make it home and walk in, everyone stops talking. It’s more than obvious we were the topic of discussion, but Victoria seems to enjoy it.
“Hey, you two lovebirds,” Mason says, coming from the kitchen carrying a beer. “Want a drink?”
“I don’t, but I’m sure Liam would love one,” Victoria tells him, and Mason happily fetches one for me. “We were just going to watch a movie. Wanna join us?”
Maddie freezes and looks as if she’s stopped breathing.
“No, I—” I start but get cut off.
“We’d love to join you,” Victoria interrupts. I hadn’t wanted to stay and rub Maddie’s nose in this any more than I have to. “Right, baby?” Victoria reaches for my hand and pulls me closer.
I let out a breath. “Yeah, sure. That’ll be fine.”
“You two can have my seat,” Maddie says, getting up from the recliner. “I’ve already seen this one a million times.”
I frown as I watch Maddie walk away. The urge to go to her is so strong that I have to force my feet to stay frozen to the floor.
“What are we watching?” I ask, turning away when she disappears out of the living room.
“Dirty Dancing,” Sophie says.
Victoria squeals. “That’s one of my favorite movies.”
We all hear Maddie’s bedroom door slam. Sophie shoots me a death glare before turning toward the TV, and Mason shrugs, then presses play. Though I don’t want to, I take a seat in the recliner, and Victoria sits on my lap. I wrap my arms around her waist, and she leans against me. The whole time I’m only thinking about one woman, and it’s not her.
The last time I watched this was with Maddie, and she knew every line. I’m stuck in a memory while staring at the screen but don’t pay attention to what’s happening. Once the movie is finally over, we tell everyone good night, and Victoria says her goodbyes since I’m taking her to the airport early tomorrow morning. Sophie gives her a side hug and so does Mason, but I know they’re just being polite. Even if they hate her, they respect me enough to remain civil.
“Great to see a woman was finally able to win over his heart.” Mason shoots her a grin.
“It was a tough game, but I played my cards right,” she says cheekily, but she’s insinuating more than they know.
I keep up the façade and pull her into my arms. “You sure did, babe.”
“Safe travels,” Sophie says as Victoria and I make our way upstairs.
“I think I’m growing on them,” she tells me when we’re in my room. “Except maybe Maddie. She’s nice, but she looks like she wants to slap me.” Victoria gives me a concerned look, arching one brow. “You two were never a thing?” she asks while changing into the revealing nightie she insists on wearing.
“No,” I immediately blurt out and sit on the bed to keep from stumbling over my words. “I mean, she’s had a crush on me for a while, I think, but she’s way too young, and I’ve told her that. We’re friends and roommates. That’s it.” The words taste like a betrayal as I try to reassure her. Victoria gives me a look as she begins to pack her things, and I feel as if I can almost breathe again, knowing she’ll be gone in the morning.
“Okay, good. I don’t want them to hate me.”
I laugh, assuming she’s probably had to buy every friend she’s ever had. “They’re nice people. They’ll accept anyone who isn’t an asshole.”
After a moment, Victoria stops moving and looks at me with a serious expression. “You made the right choice, Liam. My father would have enjoyed taking them from you and won’t think twice if he has to.” She ends her statement with a soft smile before walking to the closet and removing her clothes.
Reality slams into me like a brick wall.
That was the reminder I needed.
I didn’t agree to do this for myself. But for Maddie. For all of them. Because they were all targets.
Hopefully, marrying Victoria means they’re safe, and it stays that way.
Chapter Fourteen
Maddie
I’ve been playing Lizzo on repeat since the moment Liam brought his wife to meet everyone. Every time she ogles him, I want to claw out her eyes. Victoria touches him like she’s claiming him for all to see, and what sickens me the most is how he allows it. The Liam I know isn’t the man I’ve watched be touchy-feely with a woman he couldn’t have known for that long. I’m actually surprised my eyes aren’t permanently stuck in the back of my head, considering how many times I’ve rolled them since she got here, but luckily, she left yesterday morning. Seven months ago, I would’ve never pictured Liam married to a woman who looks like she could have her own reality TV show, but here we are. Apparently, every time Liam shot down my advances and said he didn’t do relationships, he meant he wouldn’t do them for me. Because now he’s a fucking pro at being the perfect husband.
