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“Good,” I said. “Thank you. Talking to you really helped.”
“I’m glad.”
“So,” I began, suddenly feeling awkward, “do you want to follow me back to my place?”
Surprise and something else I couldn’t put a finger on flashed in Liam’s eyes. He shook his head slowly. “I have to work tomorrow. Plus, I have to start going through my stuff. Sean and Jeremy found a house to rent not far from here, and Sean said I could move into his cottage behind the hotel.” He smiled. “I’ll finally have my own space.”
“That’s great. It’ll be nice for you to have a place of your own.”
He held up his hand. “Speaking of your own place, I still have your house key.”
He unbuttoned his coat to dig into his pants pocket. I put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Keep it. Knowing me, you’ll probably need it again.”
Liam’s eyes narrowed. “I hope not. I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
I shrugged. “I don’t like getting hurt, but it comes with the territory.”
He sighed in resignation. “I know.” He stretched up and kissed me on the cheek. “Good night. Will I see you at the Christmas Eve party at Moonlight?”
I nodded. “I’ll be there.”
“Okay.”
I watched him as he walked to his car, telling myself I just wanted to make sure he was safe. I snorted. I didn’t even believe my own lies. I couldn’t shake the disappointment that we were spending the night apart. What the hell was wrong with me?
25
Liam
Sean helped me carry the last of my moving boxes into what was once his cottage. Now it was mine. After the new year, he and Jeremy were moving into a house they’d rented. I had a sneaking suspicion they would be buying a house sooner rather than later. Their wedding was set for late September, but I doubted they’d wait that long to find a home of their own.
He put the box on the floor and stood with his hands on his hips, looking around. “This is a great place,” Sean said with a wistful smile. “Are you sure you have everything you need?”
I nodded. “Yep. Mom loaded me up with groceries. I bought new sheets and blankets, and the new mattress will be delivered on the fifth.”
“You didn’t have to get a new mattress,” Sean grumbled. “The one on there is only two years old.”
I glared at my brother. “How many times have you and Jeremy fucked on that mattress?”
“How should I know?”
“Exactly,” I retorted. I went to him and put my hands on his shoulders. “I appreciate you leaving me all the furniture. I really do. But I don’t want to sleep on top of my brother’s spunk.”
Sean laughed and shoved me. “There’s a mattress cover on it. Just take it off and wash it.”
“Nope. Don’t care. New mattress.”
He hooked his arm around my neck and gave me a noogie. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”
I used one of the moves Marco had taught me to get out of Sean’s hold. “Ha!” I said triumphantly. “Self-defense training for the win.”
Sean chuckled. “Not bad.” He handed me a set of keys. “It’s all yours.”
I took the keys from him, suddenly feeling choked up. “Thanks, Sean. This means a lot to me.”
He pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m glad I could do this for you. You deserve it.” He stepped back and asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to come to the City with us tonight?”
“Positive,” I replied. “I’m not up for all those people this year.”
