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There was a flicker of annoyance that flashed in his eyes, but it was gone just as quickly.
“I don’t offer self-defense classes at the moment, but basic boxing drills should suffice.”
I took a step back and mumbled, “Umm, that’s okay…”
I had already trained in basic drills. I wanted to learn how to defend myself. Not really for any other reason than it was on my list of things to make happen now that I was branching out on my own.
Watching my retreat from the counter, Liam pressed his lips together then said, “Maybe you should stick to town…there’s a yoga studio that opened down there. Might be a better fit.”
I stopped mid step, my eyes narrowing.
“Why would it be a better fit?”
Liam crumpled the application into a ball and tossed it into the garbage and grabbed the headgear he’d been wiping down before I walked up. It was a blatant display of being done with me. There wasn’t even anything written on the paper. He could have saved it.
“You don’t seem like the type that would be able to handle the instruction. You seem like you’re used to being catered to and waited on.Rich.”
He added that last part with a bit of a sneer.
My heart swiveled and turned in my chest, as yet another male in my life decided my worth without a second thought.
I shouldn’t care what he thinks. It didn’t matter what his opinion was of me—most guys underestimated me. Even more assumed I wasn’t worth their effort. I was always shuffled out of the way, or moved around like a chess piece––always a pawn, never a queen.
Clenching my jaw, I bit down on the retort I had on my tongue and the defense I had of myself and how I wasn’t that girl. Not the spoiled, rich girl who thought hard work was for the working class.
He judged me, knowing nothing at all about me.
Instead, I laughed and shrugged my shoulder. “I may be rich, but as a businessman, shouldn’t that, I don’t know, be your ideal clientele?” I made a point of looking around and lifting my lip in disgust. “Looks to me like you might need to revamp your business plan if you want to keep your doors open.”
Asshole.
I spun on my heel and pushed through the door until the cool air calmed my heated face.
* * *
The obnoxious beepingfrom the oven reverberated through the empty house, making me jump from the couch.
My feet, covered in warm wool socks, had me slipping a little as I crossed the hardwood floor. I stopped myself in front of the oven, jamming my thumb into the timer button to make it stop. Once the sound quieted, I inhaled and smiled. The smell of butter, sage, and onion permeated the air, which meant there was a good chance my casserole hadn’t burned.
“Please, please, please…” I chanted, popping the oven door open.
I had practically scorched the last four casseroles I had made, but Colson ate them anyway. Tonight, I was hoping for less cringe and more smiles from him as we met for dinner. I stared into the heated oven and smiled. The tips of biscuit showing were perfectly browned and matched the recipe I had found on Pinterest.
Finally, one of my creations had gone right.
Shoving my hands into two large oven mitts that had images of plants all over them, I bent over and tugged the glass baking dish out. Gently setting it on the burner, I shut the oven door and tilted my hands until the potholders slid off.
Nora’s house was cute. A little outdated, but cute just the same. But it was big for one person and freaking cold.
A chill running down my arms set me in motion.
Pushing my feet into a pair of snow boots, I pulled on my coat then shoved my hands back into the oven mitts before leaving Nora’s and walking next door with the casserole.
Crossing the yard and walking up Colson’s steps, I rang the doorbell by pushing my glove against the small button. The snow had finally stopped falling, making it seem almost warm, assuming I could ignore how my breath clouded in front of my face.
The door swung open, and my older brother greeted me with a smile.
“Haley, hey!”
