"I don't know much about your past," Liam said, examining the photo. "But I'd like to."
I wasn't ready to tell him the whole story. But—
"Our band broke up a few years after that photo was taken."
"I'm sorry," he said. "That's always hard."
"It was." The fissure in my chest threatened to widen.
A slight frown crossed Liam's lips. "And Morris?"
"We—" I swallowed hard. "We drifted apart, actually. We grew up together, but until recently, I hadn't seen him in years. It was too hard, I think, for both of us. He left shortly after…" I stopped, not wanting to say it. "After the band separated."
Liam squeezed my hand. I squeezed back with a tight, shaky grip.
"So you lost your friend and your band at the same time," he murmured. "I get it. When my band broke up—" he shook his head. "They were my best friends. It was like losing family, you know?" Liam looked down at the photo again. "You were cute even back then. All innocent and wide-eyed, no makeup and messy hair."
"Luckily I've mastered the art of the smoky eye since then," I joked.
Liam cupped my face and swept his thumb under my eye. "I think that smoke's more of a raging forest fire."
I winced. "I probably look like a raccoon after last night, don't I?"
"A little bit," he agreed. He raised an eyebrow. "You want to go wash up together?"
"Is this an invitation for shower sex?" I asked, perking up.
He laughed. "You're so direct. You cut right through the bullshit."
"Is that bad?"
"No. I love it. It's refreshing."
"So that's a yes on the sex?"
His only response was to usher me out of the kitchen and into the bathroom with haste.
