AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Silence, then another growled answer. “And I said I’d be there.”
He hung up, then came over to where I was leaning against the counter. Tugging a strand of my hair behind my ear, he put his forehead to mine. “I have to go.”
There was still so much left unsaid between us. But we had plenty of time to figure it out. “Let me know once you’re back safely?”
His lips found mine again, and after a too-short kiss, he stepped back. “I will. Don’t go anywhere without Pete.”
Pete was my new bodyguard. I still thought it was ridiculous that anyone wanted to harm me, but Liam insisted. And I was happy to concede to his wishes, as long as I could still move around freely.
I knew being with Liam wouldn’t be easy. His world was different to mine. And I was trying to trust him, starting with my safety.
Walking him to the door, I tried to concentrate on all the things I still had to do today instead of wallowing in the thought of not seeing him for the next few days.
He turned back once he was already in the hallway, his arms going around me, pulling me close for another kiss. He pressed his face into my neck, placing soft kisses on my tender skin. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.” His words sounded regretful.
Ignoring the small glimmer of doubt flaring to life, I hugged him tight before letting go. I’d see him again soon. There was no need to panic at the thought that he already regretted what had happened between us.
All his actions told me he returned my feelings.So why can’t I shake this sense of foreboding?
I watched him disappear down the stairs, the side of the door digging into my hands from where I was gripping it. I wanted to run after him, to tell him to come back. But I couldn’t give in to the ridiculous urge to not let him go.
We’d been together once. I’d never been overly attached to anyone besides my friends and family. But Liam was different in every way. He’d already made himself at home in my heart, and I had no intention of fighting it.
Pushing off the door, I closed it, going back to the kitchen for a refill. And then I had some work to do. Thoughts of Liam had to wait.
* * *
Pulling up a spreadsheet, I glanced at my phone, which was on speaker. “What did the inspector say?”
Vlad huffed, unable to contain his displeasure. “We’re meeting him at the restaurant in an hour. Everything that needed to be secured is secured. But apparently, he needs to walk us through. As if I can’t see the damage with my own eyes. Idiots.”
It was no surprise that Vlad had been driving everyone insane. He’d never been good at waiting or being idle. Last month he was sick with the flu and had to stay home for nearly a week. He found himself almost divorced. Or on the pointy end of a knife.
“That’s great news.” Especially since it meant the building was salvageable. I’d been able to stop Liam from paying for anything or from sending someone, though it took a lot of convincing on my part.
I didn’t want to be in anyone’s debt. This was my restaurant and therefore my problem. I’d figure it out.
“Great news would have been if they’d let us in the day after the fire.”
I made a note to let our staff know to meet us at the restaurant tomorrow. We’d lost a few people, but thankfully there should be enough left to help clean up. I’d put together a roster already. Instead of hiring someone else or staff going without pay, I’d asked everyone if they’d be willing to get the restaurant back up and running for the same pay they’d receive for bussing tables or waiting on customers.
Most had agreed, though others were happy to be on leave until opening. I hoped that would be in a few weeks, not months. But without seeing the restaurant and knowing the extent of the damage, it was hard to make plans.
“We’ll work with what we can, and at the moment, it’s important that we can get in. Let’s meet at the restaurant to figure out what we need to do after speaking to the inspector.”
“Fine,” Vlad conceded. “I’ll pick you up. Be there in fifteen.”
He hung up, and I rushed around the apartment, first looking for my shoes and coat, then my wallet and phone.
Walking out of the apartment, I nearly plowed into Pete, who’d been standing on the other side. “Oh, hey. Sorry, I’d forgotten you were there.”
And now I felt guilty for not inviting him inside. It was cold and boring in the hallway.
“I’m heading to the restaurant.” I resumed making my way out of the building, knowing Vlad would be waiting. Most likely double-parked, honking his horn, no matter how often I’d told him that I couldn’t hear it from my apartment. “I’m not sure how these things work. Do you follow us in a car or go with us?”
“You’ll have to go in the car with me, ma’am.”
“No, that’s okay. I’ll go with my friend.”
