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I shift in my seat. “Not exactly. She’s ah… a friend of a friend.”
There’s silence for a moment. “Do I know her?” Eli asks, his voice low.
I promised I wouldn’t tell. But she also made a promise and didn’t keep it. Plus I trust Eli like I don’t trust anybody else.
“It’s Sophie.”
“Sophie, as in Ava’s best friend?” His voice lifts. “Oh shit man.”
“Right?”
He clears his throat. “That explains why she hates you.”
“Thank you for that.”
“Just saying what I see. You really know how to shit in your own backyard, don’t you?”
“I drank too much and so did she,” I remind him. “And it’s done now.”
“You’re right. So you move on,” he tells me. “Forget about it. Make sure the woman you sleep with next time gets double the fun.”
“Sure.”
“Dude, you’re worrying me now,” Eli says. I can hear a horn in the distance, and the low rumble of his engine. “This isn’t like you. You’re the fun guy. The life of the party. You don’t brood like this.”
“I know.” He’s right. I need to stop overthinking this. Another horn blasts and I remember my brother’s just won a game and is no doubt on his way to celebrate. “Listen, I have to go. Do me a favor and don’t talk to anybody else about this.”
“Of course I won’t. I just wish I could make you feel better.”
“You have,” I tell him. “Seriously. Thank you for talking with me. I’ll catch up with you soon.”
“Okay, man. Have a good night.”
“You too,” I tell him, ending the call. Then I let out a long breath.
Eli is right. Enough is enough. I’m not going to worry about this anymore. I’m going to go to the event next week, spend some time with my brother and his wife, and find a way to get Sophie out of my system.
I already feel more like the old Liam. Hopefully he’s back for good.
CHAPTEREIGHT
SOPHIE
The staff from WVFY arrive early to the Ambassador Hotel just as Michael and Donald asked us, to help set everything up before putting on our glad rags. Almost as soon as we come back down, the doors are open, the guests begin to arrive, and the orchestra starts up.
I glance at a table, trying to not feel smug as I see the list of auction lots. I changed mine without telling Michael. Luckily my friend runs the printing department and was able to reprint them with my new offering – so I’m relaxed and ready for the evening.
“You look gorgeous,” Lorena, the evening news anchor says, kissing the air next to my cheek.
“Thank you. So do you.” I smile at her.
I made a big effort tonight for a number of reasons. Firstly because Ava, Lauren, and I went shopping for dresses together and it was so much fun. I couldn’t wait to wear this dress. It’s a silver crossover halter neck dress that clings to my body like a limpet. It makes my bottom look a little bit big, but Ava assured me that it was perfect and to be honest I feel like a princess right now.
The second reason I wanted to make an effort because I’m going to be standing up on that stage. And even though I’m not going to be auctioning myself off exactly, I still want to look nice.
I sigh at the thought of the third reason. Because a certain man I spent a night with will be here. It’s embarrassing because I shouldn’t be dressing up for Liam.
Yes, after the christening it feels like there’s been some kind of change between us, but I’m not at all sure how that makes me feel. Fundamentally things are still the same. I might find him attractive in a physical way, but emotionally he’s a thousand miles away from the kind of guy that’s right for me.
