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You don’t need to do that. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than feed me. – Sophie
I don’t actually. And I want to feed you. I’ll see you tomorrow. – Liam
The typing icon disappears and I assume he’s in another meeting. Or the same one that he emailed me from. Either way, I don’t want to cost him any more money so I put my phone away and turn to my laptop. I have work to do before I need to head to the bar.
And now I’ll need to work tomorrow, too. But the sting of it lessens knowing I’ll see Liam tomorrow night.
I don’t want to think about why it lessens. Or why seeing him sends a thrill through my body like I’ve just touched an electrified fence.
And I really don’t want to think about the fact that I’d decided tomorrow was the night I’d tell him the truth. Because this lovely détente we have between us could implode once he knows everything.
I’m not sure I’m ready for that.
* * *
Madison is loving being the center of attention. Her dark hair is flowing down her back, her nails painted a yellow color that looks great against her skin, and her eyes can’t quite focus because she’s had way too much to drink.
I’m going to put her in a cab in a minute. She’ll thank me for it tomorrow. It’s almost eleven anyway, and I have to go home myself. Neither Madison or Michael will be in tomorrow and it’s going to be a long day.
And a long evening, because I’ll be seeing Liam. The thought sends a shiver down my spine.
In the corner I see Michael, who’s just walked in after the evening news. He’s with Dan and a few others who must have finished for the night. I guess he’s leaving tomorrow to see his mom.
“One more round,” Madison says. “On me. Let’s make it shots.”
This is my cue to get her home.
It takes me almost twenty minutes but I manage to get her outside and hail a cab. I lean in through the passenger door and give the driver directions on how to get to her place. Luckily, he’s one of our regular taxi drivers at the station and he promises to look after her. She lives with her parents in a gorgeous ranch house in the mountains just outside the city. I slip him a fifty because I’m not sure she’ll be able to open her purse when they get there, let alone find her wallet.
“Call me when you’re in the house,” I tell her.
“Sure.” She pats my face. “You’re such a great boss, Sophie.” She leans back and closes her eyes. I turn to Rob, the driver. “Can you make sure she gets inside safely?”
“Always.” He nods. He has two daughters in college. He gets it.
“Thank you.” I close the door and watch him drive off, then I turn to walk back into the bar, but I see Dan and Michael walking out, although they don’t see me. I guess they really only stayed for one quick drink.
“Okay then,” Dan says, his voice full of alcohol-fueled jollity. “I’ll see you at the golf course tomorrow. Eight o’clock tee-off. Don’t be late.”
“I’ll be there,” Michael tells him.
I freeze. So he’s not rushing to Baltimore to see his mom tomorrow.
He’s playing golf, the rat bastard.
“Michael?” I call out.
He turns slowly, blinking when he sees me standing there. His face blanches and then he marches over to me and grabs my elbow, steering me down the sidewalk toward the alley at the side of the bar. “Please don’t make a scene,” he mutters.
“How’s your mom?” I ask him.
He lets out a heavy sigh. “Actually, she’s not well. She has a cold.”
“You let me think she was really sick.” I’m so pissed with him it isn’t funny.
“I didn’t say that,” he points out.
I frown, because I can’t remember exactly what he said. I do remember some things though. “You lied,” I tell him. “You said you were going to the hospital to visit her.”
