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And now I was about to be alone with Liam again, a temptation that was getting harder to resist by the day.
Chapter8
Holly
After our shared night of insomnia induced weirdness and the dumpster extravaganza of dust, old furniture, and too much information. Liam and I had fallen into a sort of rhythm. We had become great at small talk, innocuous flirting, and mildly provocative banter. Like, we knew we had shared feelings for each other, but we ignored them and stayed friendly. I was proud of myself every morning when I didn’t hurl my body across Vi’s counter to jump his sexy bones. I had the will of a freakin’ nun, I did. And Liam? He managed to rein in his lady-killer charm like a champ. We were on a steady path toward friendship. It was a refreshing change of pace for me. I used to just dive right into everything without too much thought about it, but those days were over.
“So, how’s it going at the inn?” Rose asked as I pulled a shot of espresso for her hazelnut latte. It was bright, way too early, and I was covering for Violet who had an appointment with her doctor this morning. I was behind the counter with Finn and Nick, Violet’s teenage twins. They were out of school on spring break and my co-baristas for the morning. Gram was perched at a table up front enjoying scones and coffee while Rose waved maniacally at me as she approached from the front door. Lily was in the bathroom—again—since she was about a million months pregnant and had to pee every ten seconds.
“Good. I’ll be moving in a couple weeks or so.”
“I can’t believe Luke is keeping Owen on after Ava went after you like she did the other day.” She huffed as she placed her purse on the counter and I prepared her usual beverage of choice. “He needs to fire his dumb ass.”
“Yeah, well, think of the children, Rose. That’s what Luke is doing, and I don’t blame him. Kids gotta eat. Chicken nuggets don’t grow on trees, you know. And don’t yell at him. I told him it was okay.”
“And Liam? How’s that whole thing going. Have you two banged yet?”
I spun around, almost spilling her latte. “What did you say, Rose?”
“Don’t say bang in front of Finn and Nick, honey,” Gram scolded from her table.
“Sorry, Gram.”
“We’ve heard the word bang before, Gram.” Finn snickered. “It’s okay.”
“There is nothing going on,” I lied.
She shrugged and took a sip of her coffee.
Across the shop, I watched Lily shove her cell into her purse and head up here. “Oooh, Holly almost spilled the coffee and Nick looks scandalized. What’s going on?” She waddled as fast as she could to the counter, her ability to detect even the smallest hint of gossip still intact. I was impressed. “Did I miss something?”
“I was just asking Holly if she’s managed to B-A-N-G it out with Liam yet. After all those hot eyes aimed at each other and the Valentine’s Day make out session in the back room I figured it would be inevitable.” Rose filled her in.
“We can spell, you know.” Nick laughed at Rose. “Been doing it for years.”
“We know where babies come from too,” Finn added.
“Sorry, guys. We must be nothing but cringe this morning.”
Finn’s face transformed into an exaggerated grimace. “Kinda.”
“Okay, listen.” Lily checked her watch with a teasing grin and a flick of her wrist. “The...” She side-eyed Finn and Nick and mouthed the wordbang.“Should be imminent, if my calculations are correct.”
“What are you two freakshows even talking about? Liam and I are just friends. Yeah, we kissed but we both realized we aren’t ready for more than that. And who I, uh,hangout with is nobody’s business. Now be good and go sit with Gram, I have work to do. Violet will be here any minute and I can’t let her see the mess I made back here.”
“Too late, she’s here and she sees all,” Violet announced grandly as she entered through the swinging doors that led from the back of the shop.
“That’s just great,” I groused. “How are you feeling? How’s the baby?”
“Perfect. It’s a girl. We’re naming her Lyla, after Jake’s mom. But enough about that. I could swear I heard the word bang. Who banged who? Tell me what I missed. Spill the tea. Boys, put your earmuffs on and go take a break while it’s slow in here.”
“Gotcha.” They each grabbed cookies and drinks from the cooler, smirking as they headed to the back room.
The boys left and Rose did a brief scan of the shop. “Okay, we’re clear,” she announced. As if the customers filling the tables and chairs didn’t have ears to eavesdrop with. “You missed nothing, Vi. As of now there is no banging to report,” she whispered. “I’ll lower my voice. I’m sorry, I should know better, I’m a teacher for eff’s sake. Good thing there’s no kids in here right now.”
“Well damn. Come on, Holly,” Violet encouraged. “I have good feelings about Liam, he’d be good for you. He’s a solid guy and sweet too. He’s a keeper. Go for it.”
“Why are you all so sure I’m going to date Liam? And I refuse to say the word bang,” I muttered. “Grow up.”
