I turn to face him completely. “You know,” I say. “I just realized something. The thing is, we just see you differently. You remember kicking me out, I remember a few things. Our viewpoints are very different.” I hold my shoulder with the opposite hand, half hugging myself. Maybe an unconscious act of protection. “You hurt me Liam. You did. And yes, you could have handled your timing better. But you also were there when I needed you. The last time I saw you I was at the hospital. You were helping me get information about my mom. I don’t think you realize what a Godsend you were in that terrible moment.”
His hand covers mine and I jolt by the sudden tangible current. “Have dinner with me tonight,” he says, releasing a wave of warm sensations in me. He cocks his head, eyebrows raised with a plea. “Please?”
“Why?” I ask on a breath.
I notice a pulse in his jaw before he says, “I need to talk to you. Not like this, not here on the stairs.”
I stare at him; my heart is banging like a huge church bell. Loud, clear, echoing through the walls of my chest.
“Anna,” He cocks his head once more, eyes running between mine. “Please?” He squeezes my hand gently.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” His face lights up. “I’ll pick you up—”
“Just text me the address,” I say sliding my hand from under his and then add, “If you didn’t delete my number.”
He grimaces. “I guess I deserve that.”
“Text me the address,” I repeat and stand up. “I’d better go.”
“Sure,” he says, a little deflated. “See you tonight.”
I turn and walk into the building, not looking back. I don’t want him to see what’s coming over me. Once inside, I lean on the wall and take a rich breath, taking a moment to find my equilibrium.
“Victoria,” I say my sister’s full name with enough gravity to let her know I’m done playing. Waiting for her to respond on the other end, I skim my wardrobe in search of what to wear tonight while I clinch my phone between my shoulder and cheek.
“I don’t understand, what’s with the sudden urge to start a whole federal investigation. I told you I got this loan—”
I stop her. “Did you though, Vic? I don’t know that I believe you. Cut the bullshit.” There’s not an ounce of humor in my tone.
“Gosh, you can be stubborn sometimes,” she says, still avoiding the very simple answer.
I huff with frustration, taking a step back from the wardrobe to drop on my bed. Lying on my back staring at the ceiling, I say to the phone, “Look, I didn’t want to tell anyone yet, but I’m meeting Liam for dinner soon and I want to know if he had any part in the stimulus package for mom appearing out of thin air.”
“Oh, wow, Liam’s back!” Vicky sounds thrilled. “You guys are having dinner together, ah? What a development. That’s . . . ”
Somewhat impatient with my sister’s insistence to keep information from me, I say, “That’s not what we’re discussing right now. Vic, the money. Where did it really magically appear from?”
“Panda, Kayla, me,” Victoria says on a sigh. “I took a bit of a loan from work and Panda and Kayla helped out with whatever they could. We knew you’d never allow it. You were going to give up your studio. We couldn’t let that happen. But we knew you wouldn’t let us help either if you knew anything about it. That’s the reason for the secrecy. I’m sorry.” Then she says, “No, I’m not sorry at all. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
My heart swells to an impossible size. “Thank you,” I say softly over the little lump in my throat.
Vicky hums. “No matter what, we’ll always have each other’s back. You know that.”
My sister voices my thoughts. I know, no matter what, I’ll always have their friendship and support. They’d do anything for me, just as I would for them, including deeds of the grey area variety if need be. Valuable, strong friendships are everything.
My sister clears her throat on the other line. “Just so you know, Liam tried quite persistently to make me take his offer. Even after we left the hospital.”
“I’m glad you didn’t,” I say. Even if things played out differently between Liam and me, I would still feel more comfortable sorting this out by myself, or with the girls’ help as it turned out. The whole damsel-in-distress saved by a guy thing might appeal to some, but for this girl, women helping each other out feels much more right.
“So . . . dinner with the handsome doc, you say?”
“I say nothing, Vic.” I pause and resume reluctantly. “He wants to talk. I agreed. I really don’t want to delve into this and start analyzing the hell out of it. I’m done doing that. Had more than enough of that when it comes to him. I’ll meet him, see what he wants and—” I sigh. “Now, I got to go,” I say, not too inclined to start a whole discussion on the matter.
“Anna!” Vicky scolds.
“Bye, Vic.” I end the call.
Trying not to further stress myself with the thought of meeting Liam, and what he might have to tell me, probably just an apology for how he ended things. Clear his conscience so we can both move on, grudge free. I jump off the bed, grab my faux leather jacket and shrug it over a white t-shirt. Yep, t-shirt and jeans, that’s the outfit for tonight. The I’m-not-trying-to-impress-you-just-tell-me-whatever-you-want-to-tell-me-and-let-me-get-back-to-my-life sort of outfit.
Five minutes later I close the door behind me, drop my keys in my purse, and whisper to myself like a complete weirdo, “Here we go, you got this.”
A soft smile eases into my lips as I notice the restaurant Liam booked for tonight. I heard of it, only good things, but never been before. Plants, an upscale vegetarian place. As I walk in, I regret my outfit choice a little. It’s a dimly lit, small, and elegant space. Just a few tables, each with a candle in the center, an atmosphere that screams romantic. I’m a few minutes early, the roads were open, and the enthusiastic Uber driver took advantage of it. I wasn’t sure if I’d drink tonight and decided not to take a chance and Uber it.
The friendly host with the ginger man bun and goatee combo tells me that Liam is already here, waiting for me at our table. I thank him with a smile and walk over to where he gestures. At a table for two, by a floor to ceiling window with a view to a quaint garden, Liam sits a little hunched, focused on his phone. Sensing my presence, he lifts his eyes that turn genuinely glad at the sight of me. He immediately stands up to meet me, leaning in to place a kiss on my cheek.
“You look beautiful,” he says in a way of greeting.
His freshly showered scent lingers after he pulls back. I inhale deeply, wishing for another lungful. He pulls out a chair for me before taking back his seat. “Thanks for agreeing to have dinner with me,” Liam says way too formal if you ask me. Sounds like a good intro to a formal, conscience clearing meal.
“This place has been on my list for ages,” I say, watching him as he pours water for me from a carafe. The beard is gone. He’s clean-shaven, sporting a black V shirt and black slacks. His eyes sparkle in enchanting blue under the candle’s glow. I missed these eyes. I missed these lips. I missed this person so incredibly much. A notion that adds to my prior nervousness. All the damn feels are back. This time with reinforcement.