“She’s twenty-two.”
He nods, thoughtful. “So, did you have a late start to college?”
I blink at the nerve of this man.
“Something like that,” I mutter, grabbing my beer and taking a longer sip than necessary.
Before I can decide whether to walk away or throw the rest of the beer in his lap, Amber returns, a tray of shots in hand and a sparkle in her eye. Her gaze locks right onto Liam like a heat-seeking missile.
“And who is this handsome devil?”
“Amber, meet Liam. Liam, Amber.” I gesture between them like a flight attendant pointing out the exits. “Liam saw you on stage and justhadto meet you.”
No one seems to catch the sarcasm and maybe venom in my voice.
Amber raises an eyebrow, her pageant smile slipping into place like she’s flipping a switch. “Did he now?”
She sets the tray down and offers her hand, glossy lips curved like she already knows he’ll kiss it if she lets him. “Nice to meet you, Liam.”
I lean back slightly, sipping my beer again because I’m suddenly dying to cool down the fire crawling under my skin.
Liam takes Amber’s hand, but his eyes flick to me for half a second before he answers, “Pleasure’s mine.”
Something in his tone has teeth. But I can't tell if he’s being polite or if there’s a whole other game at play here. I don’t have to wonder long what kind of game this is. Liam settles it for me when he tugs Amber straight into his lap like it’s the most natural thing in the world. She lets out a breathy giggle, her arm looping around his shoulders like they’ve been doing this forever.
I swallow and take an even bigger sip. Why does this always happen to me? The guy I likealwaysgoes after her.
“I’m the luckiest guy in this whole bar,” he says, eyes fixed on her like she’s already his.
Amber tilts her head back to look at him, that familiar flirty lilt in her voice. “Oh, really? Tell me more, Liam.”
“I’m sure you’ve been fending off men all night, haven’t you, doll?”
She sighs with exaggerated drama. “It’s exhausting, honestly.”
“Then I’m glad I got here in time to rescue you.” His voice dips lower, smooth as molasses. “Even more glad I’ve got a room at the hotel next door.”
My mouth parts. Did he just…?
I look at Amber, waiting, hoping for a signal that she’ll shut this down. That this is just playful banter, and she’s not actually going to?—
“Well, cowboy,” she says, sliding off his lap with a wink in my direction, “this is your lucky night.”
I can’t breathe. My stomach drops so fast it feels like a free fall.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” she adds to me with a smirk, already disappearing into the crowd with his hand pressed possessively to her lower back.
“Bye, Olivia,” Liam tosses over his shoulder.
I blink, stunned.
“It’s Olive,” I call after him, too late.
But he doesn’t hear me. Or maybe he just doesn’t care.
I grab one of the shots Amber left behind and toss it back like it's medicine. The liquid scorches a fiery path down my throat, but the burn is almost welcome. Something sharp to cut through the sting in my chest.
“Can this night get any worse?” I mutter under my breath, setting the empty glass down a little too hard.
