I slowly took a sip to see if it was cool enough to drink.
It was.
When I tasted the hint of cinnamon, I smiled.
Liam got the order perfect. Without me telling him.
He remembered.
And that… it kind of started to crush my heart.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Liam
In a strange way I was getting used to the apartment being mine.
I slept on the couch with the TV on and woke up in the morning, got dressed, grabbed something to eat on the way to work, and that was becoming somewhat of a routine for me.
A routine that wasn’t going to last long though.
It wasn’t like Miranda and I were split up or anything.
That thought…
I got to my desk, looked at the day’s work, and started making phone calls.
That one trademark case that had been all fucked up was going to haunt me for a few minutes.
It wasn’t my mistake but I wasn’t going to point fingers and roll over on anyone.
Plus, there was the bigger patent case I was putting together.
That one was still way up in the air on which direction it would end up, but I would be well prepared for it.
I noticed outside my office that Jacob and Maria were talking.
I noticed how close they were.
And it didn’t seem like a work conversation at all.
After a minute or so I watched as Maria touched Jacob’s hand then walked away.
He stood there and stared at his hand like he had shook hands with someone famous.
I moved from behind my desk, walked to open up my office door and whistled.
Jacob looked at me and his face turned red.
“What was that?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
“I don’t deal with interns fucking each other.”
“What?” Jacob yelled. “You think… no…”
“Then what was it?”
“Janelle and I had a fight last night,” he said. “Over the phone. It was shitty.”
“You two okay?”
“I don’t know. She’s jealous of Maria.”
“I can see why,” I said. “Touching your hand…”
“We’re friends,” Jacob said. “I think.”
I shook my head. “Go find the Levowitz file for me. I want you to review it and tell me if anything seems off to you. Clear your head of any love triangles and focus on work.”
Jacob looked flustered and confused.
I shook my head and walked back to my desk.
I looked out the window and took a deep breath.
My desire to work was zero.
My desire to find more trouble with Emily was one hundred fucking percent.
And that in itself was trouble.
When I saw Miranda’s name on my phone screen, I almost thought about not answering the call.
I did at the last possible moment.
“Hey,” I said. “What’s going on?”
“Oh, hello there,” her voice said. She sounded happy. Alive. “Do you remember me?”
“No,” I said. “Who is this again?”
“Not funny, Liam.”
“What? You started it.”
“Did you forget about me?”
“No,” I said. I swallowed hard. “We’ve been texting…”
“I haven’t talked to you in a few days,” she said.
“You’re busy,” I said. “And the phone works both ways.”
“Oh, that’s right, it’s my fault,” Miranda said.
“That’s not what I said. Did you really call so we can argue?”
“No.”
“Good. What’s going on?”
“It’s busy and crazy. But also wild and fun.”
I laughed. “That’s good. That’s what you went there for, right?”
“Yeah. You can’t imagine it, Liam. The conferences are not worth anything. But the networking…” She let out a breath. “There were a few people who knew me. Knew my name. I didn’t even realize I had a reputation.”
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
“A cold-hearted bitch,” Miranda said with pride.
I laughed again. “No wonder the heating bill in the apartment costs so much.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. It was a joke.”
“I don’t bring my work home,” she said. “Are you suggesting I’m-”
“Miranda,” I said. “I’m laughing. I’m joking. I think it’s great you’re meeting people while you’re there.”
“I hope so,” she said. “I met a few big-time names too.”
“That’s good.”
“There was a husband and wife team that made me think of us. I really wish you’d consider getting out of corporate law.”
“Ah, I like it here,” I said.
“You’re better than what you do,” Miranda said.
“I appreciate that.”
“We can move to Boston and make it happen,” she said. “We can start our own firm. If we sold…” Miranda sighed. “If I could just get rid of that building, you know?”
“I know.”
“I’ll own that mistake, but… I have a way to get out of it though…”
By having Emily sleep with some guy who’s going to buy it?
“Miranda, focus on your time there,” I said.
“I am. I’m just planning. Our future. You know?”
I nodded. But I didn’t speak.
I opened my mouth to say something before she got pissed at me for not agreeing with her.
But I froze up again when I saw Emily out in the hallway, looking around.
I hurried to stand up.
When she saw me, she smiled ear to ear and waved.
She was so bright… cheery… real…
“Liam?” Miranda snapped.
“I’m here,” I said. “Sorry. I’m at work. Busy day. I had a case go the wrong way over some paperwork issues and-”
“I’m getting ready to head back out of the hotel,” Miranda cut in. “I wanted to talk to you for a minute. But I better get going too.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Enjoy it all. Keep making those contacts.”
“Trust me, I am,” she said. “This is so important to me. I’m so happy here, Liam. I feel like I belong here.”
I stared forward and saw Emily just outside my office door.
Still smiling.
“Yeah, I know the feeling,” I said. “Keep in touch when you can, okay?”
“Oh, shit, someone’s at the door,” Miranda said. “That might be Kylie. I’ve got to go, Liam.”
The call ended.
I stood there for a second with nobody on the other end of the call.
Looking at Emily.
I could have easily just tucked my phone to my shoulder and told her I was super busy and I’d text or call later.
There was no way I was going to do that to Emily.
“Sorry for just barging in,” Emily said as I raced around my desk.