“Currently in an unofficially exclusive, complicated entanglement.” He winked at me and I felt like I could die. Seriously. I’d rather the floor open up and suck me into the Otherworld than live through this moment.
Autumn stared at Liam, confused, and said, “Oh.” But then a moment passed where she looked at me and she figured out what he meant, and then shouted, “Oh! OMG! You mean with Holly. You and Holly!”
If I could have run away and hid, I would have. For anyone who didn’t know, I had five levels of embarrassment. One was mildly embarrassed, like when I had food stuck in my teeth while running a meeting. I was okay because we had just finished eating but it was still embarrassing. Level two was a hair worse. It was the type of embarrassment where you cringe a little harder, but it’s manageable and usually laughable later. Forgetting someone’s name mid-conversation and awkwardly trying to avoid admitting it would classify as a two.
Level three was noticeably uncomfortable, like when you laughed too loudly at a joke that wasn’t that funny and realized everyone was staring at you. A level four was legitimately mortified, like the time I accidentally hit “reply all” on an email that was only meant for one person and filled with painfullypersonal information. And then, finally, there was a level five. Five was full-on humiliation. The kind of embarrassment that made you want to change your name and move to another country.
I was currently at level three-point-five and creeping toward a four. But Dahlia kept me rooted in my spot by throwing her arms around my shoulder and whispering, “You're glowing. Don’t run from this.”
She knows me too well.
I squeezed her arm and then took a sip of my drink. It was like a tropical paradise in my mouth. The perfect balance of sweet and sultry with no hint of liquor. Too many of these, and I’d be in trouble.
Without warning, River perked up at the opening cords carrying over the noise of the bar and shouted, “I love this song!”
She grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the dance floor, our sisters in tow. I looked over my shoulder apologetically, but Liam just grinned and waved me off. I watched him go back to working the bar for as long as I could until, eventually, there were too many bodies between us. And then, my sisters and I danced like we were still in my living room and no one was watching.
The night flew by in a blur. My sisters and I had been dancing for what felt like hours, our laughter echoing louder than the music. At some point, the heat of the dance floor became too much, and I leaned into River’s ear. “I need another drink,” I said, fanning myself dramatically.
“Don’t take too long!” she called back, spinning toward Autumn as they got lost in the rhythm of the song.
I meandered my way back to the bar, taking my time as I tried to cool down. But when I reached the counter, I didn’t order anything right away. Instead, I lingered, my fingers brushing the worn edge as I let my eyes wander back to Liam.
He was moving with practiced ease, pouring drinks and flashing a casual smile that seemed to make everyone around him feel like they belonged. But it wasn’t until his gaze caught mine that my breath hitched. He smiled—not the one he gave his customers, but something softer, warmer, like it was meant just for me.
I stayed at that spot longer than I meant to, sipping my drink and stealing glances in his direction. Every time our eyes met, my stomach flipped.
A little while later, Liam crossed the bar toward me, his steps slow and deliberate. He leaned on the counter, his piercing eyes never leaving mine. “Are you Enjoying yourself?”
“More than I thought I would,” I admitted, the honesty surprising me. I set my drink down and decided I needed water for the rest of the night. Being this open and honest was dangerous.
“Good. I’m glad.” Liam extended his hand, palm up. “Would you like to dance?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
Liam rounded the edge of the bar and then held his hand out to me again. “I’m friends with the boss. He won’t care.”
I hesitated, then slipped my hand into his and let him lead me onto the dance floor. His fingers curled around mine, and when he pulled me close, the rest of the room seemed to disappear. Liam held me close, slow stepping to a song that was made for bumping and grinding. I didn’t care. I was just happy to be in his arms.
“You look happy,” he murmured, that low rumble sending shivers down my spine.
“Funny enough, I am.” I looked up into his eyes and the space between us grew charged with the kind of electricity that made it hard to think clearly. I didn’t overthink. I just leaned in.
Liam met me halfway and pressed his lips to mine.
The kiss was soft at first, testing, but it quickly deepened, stealing my breath and grounding me all at once. His hand tightened slightly on my waist as if to keep me close and in that moment it was just him and I. No bar. No bet. Just us. I could have stayed there forever, floating in his arms, but the overhead lights flickered, signaling last call. Liam pulled away first but he didn’t let me go.
I blinked, momentarily disoriented, as the noise and bustle of the bar came rushing back. Though as the world came into focus I noticed Liam’s gaze stayed on me, steady and unwavering.
“That was…” he whispered, and I would have done anything for him to always look at me the way he was right then. He kissed the tip of my nose once before my sisters butted in and ruined the moment.
“Are you ready to head out?” Autumn called from behind me.
I spun in Liam’s arms and rested against his chest. Our hearts raced in synchronized rhythms, singing the same song. I looked up at him right as he looked down at me and said, “I think I’ll stay.”
HOLLY
In less than ten minutes, Ralph had escorted every wayward soul out of Abbott’s and to their cars or into a taxi if he felt they couldn’t safely drive. After thirty minutes, it was just him, Liam and I. Everyone else had finished their post shift cleanup and left.
