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“Eve?”
“Hello, Liam!” I forced a casual smile and hoped he didn’t plan on making a scene. “Uncle Oscar will be so glad you’re back.” Nigel had already reached his car. He opened the door for me and stood waiting.
Liam parked his motorcycle and dismounted. He unfastened his helmet as he walked toward us, shaking out his hair. This was going to be awkward.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” he said, narrowing his eyes at Nigel.
Nigel extended his hand. “Nigel,” he said. “Nigel Strum. And you are?”
The air around Liam seemed to crackle with tension. Or maybe that was just how it felt to me, caught in the middle. Liam didn’t offer his hand, he just left Nigel standing with his hand suspended in midair, waiting.
“Eve, did you invite him here?”
“Of course.” I glared at Liam. “And you’re being rude.”
Liam stepped between me and Nigel and shut the door to the car.
“Liam. What are you doing?”
“You should go,” he said to Nigel.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I tried to push Liam out of the way, but he wouldn’t budge. It felt like pushing against a tree trunk, like he was rooted to the earth.
“Perhaps you should let the lady decide?” Nigel said, his voice dripping with menace. Something about it made me stop pushing against Liam and glance up at Nigel.
“Do you think you really stand a chance?” Liam asked. I couldn’t believe he was threatening Nigel. This was crazy. He had no claim on me.
“Liam, stop. What are you doing? We can talk about this later. What’s gotten into you?”
“I will crush you,” Nigel said. They were both ignoring me at this point, glaring at each other, waiting for the other one to back down.
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Liam said, taking a half step closer to Nigel.
“There’s nothing you can do to stop me,” Nigel said.
I reached between them and tried to get their attention. My hand stretched out of my sleeve, and I felt the cold air bite at my fingers and wrist. Nigel took a step back and Liam half turned to face me. Finally, their eyes were on me and not staring each other down.
“Where did you get that?” Liam asked.
I looked up at him, confused. “Get what?”
Nigel continued to walk backward until his back was against his car.
“That.” Liam pointed at my wrist and the bracelet Uncle Oscar had given me.
I shrugged and let my sleeve fall back over the gold band. Nigel took a half step away from his car but otherwise kept his distance.
“My uncle gave it to me,” I said.
“Evelyn,” Nigel said. “It appears that things aren’t going to work out for tonight. Perhaps we could do this some other time?”
I turned to Nigel. “I’m so sorry,” I said. “We can still go to dinner.” I took a step closer to him, but he backed away.
“No, I think it’s better that I go. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.” He glanced over my shoulder at Liam. “I won’t forget our date, or your invitation.”
“Leave.” Liam said. “Now.” His voice rumbled and made the hairs on my neck stand on end.
“I’ll leave, for now. But I’ll be back,” he said.
