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“She understands,” he shrugs his shoulders, still waiting on his beer. “But I know she still thinks about us getting married all the time.”
“Not to be rude,” I whisper, “but why are you telling me this?”
Liam seems to be mulling my question over as his beer arrives. He takes a swig and says, “I really don’t know. Tess likes you – well, everyone in the family likes you – and you seem like a trustworthy person. Guess, I needed to say this out loud to someone who wouldn’t go blabbing.”
Well, hellfire. That heartfelt response guts me like a fish.
“Thanks,” I mumble.
“I’ve had an engagement ring in my pocket for the last six months,” he slides his hand into his pant pocket as if to check to see if the box is still sitting inside.
“What are you waiting for?” I genuinely need to know.
“The right moment.” His blue eyes find mine and he smirks. “All this time, Tess has been consumed with helping Sarah and Caleb plan their wedding; getting the holidays organized for the family; working overtime so she can get the promotion she’s been wanting for a year. I want to ask her to marry me when she’s not preoccupied.”
“Maybe you’ll find the right moment,” I bob my head and bite my straw before taking a sip of my drink. “Or you might have to realize people like Tess don’t slow down so you’ll have to make your own moment.”
Liam stops short. Clearly, he hadn’t thought of that before. He grins, crinkling the sides of his eyes, and he elbows my shoulder gently. “That’s not a bad idea.”
“Tess loves you, Liam.” We walk to our table and sit down next to each other to continue our conversation. “You really do make a great couple.”
“Thanks,” he says to me, but his eyes are fixed on Tess dancing with her dad. “You and Theo make a great couple too. I’m glad he finally found someone to settle down with.”
Watching Theo dance with his Mama warms my heart. He must sense my eyes on him because his green ones flick up and meet my gaze. That wicked grin of his shoots electricity through my body and instantly warms me. Or maybe it’s the Mai Tai.
“You want to hear something funny?” Liam draws my attention back to him.
“Sure,” I say with a smile, feeling Theo’s eyes still on me.
“Tess was convinced you two weren’t actually dating.” He cracks up and slaps his knee as if that is the funniest thing he’s said all day.
It takes everything in me not to react with anything other than a giggle. Inside, I am panicked. Tess thought we weren’t a couple? I mean, we aren’t, but why would she suspect us? How long has she been thinking this? Who else knows?
“Why would she think that?” I steady my voice, but I can feel my heart lumping up in my throat.
Liam shrugs and rolls his eyes, taking another gulp of his beer. “She said she overheard you two saying something about a deal at her parents’ house. I don’t know. I told her she probably just misunderstood. I mean, I have watched you two together all weekend. There’s no way this is a fake dating situation.” He shakes his head with a light chuckle. He is clearly amused, but I’m in full-blown panic mode.
My eyes shift back to the dance floor. This time, I am not looking for Theo. I am looking for Tess. When I scan the couples dancing, my gaze finally settles on her. But she is already watching me, and there’s nothing sweet in her expression, just a look that screams,I’m on to you. She knows.
Then it hits me. The heels clicking in the hallway at his parents’ house. I didn’t see anyone, but now I know it was Tess.
Hellfire and broomsticks. Tess knows.
I feel dizzy. I cannot faint. I cannot faint. I push my drink away from me and shakily stand to my feet.
“Is everything alright?” Liam’s demeanor has changed. I must look awful for him to stand up and extend a hand for me to grab. “Is something wrong with your drink?” His eyes flash to my Mai Tai then back over to me.
I wave my hands. “No, I’m fine. I think I just need to stretch my legs.”
“Are you sure?” He doesn’t believe me. I don’t blame him for being suspicious. I am hardly an Oscar winning actor.
“Liam, I promise, I’m ok.” I lie and my cheeks burn. I hate lying. And that is all I seem to be doing these days. “I just need to take a short walk and I’ll be alright.”
“Do you need me to go with you?” Liam reaches out for my arm again. “You don’t look well, Cate. Let me go grab Theo.”
“No!” That comes out with more force than I intended. I soften my voice. “Thank you, but I’ll be ok.”
I pat his hand instead of taking it and start to trot away from the tent. I want to run, but if I do, then everyone will know something is going on. As I stumble and weave around tables, chairs, and guests toward the tent openings, I feel someone’s eyes on me and whip my head to my right. It’s Theo. Of course, it’s Theo. And even though I flash a weak smile his way, he knows something is wrong. He has seen my deer-in-headlights look before. I can’t talk to him right now. I need to get out of here. And without realizing it, about ten feet from the exit, I start to sprint, and I don’t look back.
