I find myself reapplying a little makeup and doing my best to fluff my flattened hat hair in the dining hall bathroom. I’m going to find my friends and have lunch. And, if I happen to see Liam? Well, he can eat his heart out because I have nothing to say to him. With one last look in the mirror, I sigh and turn toward the door. However, I don’t get too far down the hallway before my back is hauled up against a muscular chest.
“You smell amazing,” Liam breathes in my ear. He gives me a quick squeeze and then releases me. “Good day so far?”
I’m too stunned to react to his smile or affectionate nature. Honest to God, you would think we were a real couple and he’s delighted to see me. Did he forget what happened the last time we were together?
“Are you crazy?” I growl at him.
He laughs. Laughs! “Nah. Seriously. How was your day?” He releases me but threads his fingers through mine.
I look at our joined hands in awe. “Well. Let me see. I spent most of it wondering if I’d run into my fiancé. You know, the guy who manhandled me on Saturday night before ignoring me all day on Sunday.”
He gives me a cocky grin. Squeezes my fingers. “Did you miss me, beauty?”
“Did I—” I pull my hand away. “Are you kidding right now?”
He shrugs sheepishly. “Well,Imissed you. I was going to call you, but you seemed pretty upset the last time we talked. I thought you might need a day.”
What in the ever loving—“I was upset? Me? You’re the one who threw me against a wall, making all these…these…demands.” I wave my hand in the air to punctuate my point. I refuse to think about how it felt to be pinned against that wall.
His smile falls and he looks wistful. He runs a thumb down my cheek, and damn it, I tremble. Why the hell does he have this effect on me? “They weren’t unreasonable demands.”
I’m saved from responding when Elizabeth rushes past me, headed toward the bathroom I just exited. Her face is blotchy and she looks ready to break down into tears.
“See ya later, Oz!” a female voice laughs behind me. I turn to see Valentina, Elizabeth’s stepsister, waving at her as she giggles.
“Liz!” I call after her. “Wait up!”
“No!” she shouts back. She stops, visibly composes herself. “No, please. I need a few minutes alone, Taryn.” Her voice hitches.
“Elizabeth—”
“I’ll text you later, okay?” And with that, she rushes into the restroom.
I start to follow when Liam grabs my arm. “Give her a few minutes,” he says softly and when I spin to tell him to butt out, the look on his face stops me. He’s looking past me at the bathroom door with so much concern, I realize he’s only thinking of Elizabeth’s best interests.
Valentina begins to saunter by us, and I pull away from Liam to grab her arm. “You aren’t going in there,” I tell her bluntly, nodding at the bathroom door. I don’t know what she said to Elizabeth, but she’s done enough.
“I didn’t plan on it.” She smiles at me. “Oz and I already finished our chat.”
“Who the fuck is Oz?” I ask her tersely. I want to choke the life out of her already, so it’s probably best that she doesn’t answer my question. Instead, she turns her focus to Liam.
“Hey, Liam.” She’s peering up at him from under her dark lashes, smiling flirtatiously.
“Val.” He nods. He reaches for me again, taking my hand. I grit my teeth but don’t stop him. I’m not loving the way Valentina is eyeing him like a favorite treat. Not while I’m standing right here.
“Oh, right. I heard you were engaged.” Her eyes drop to my left hand. “I’d congratulate you, but I also heard you were forced into it.” Her voice oozes sympathy. “I’m so sorry for you,” she says to Liam before she turns her attention to me.
“Liam and I have history,” she says sweetly as though she needs to explain her concern. “I know he’squitepopular, but we just clicked. Had something…special. I hope we can maintain ourfriendship, Liam.” She smiles at him coyly. Bats her lashes. Seductively bites her bottom lip.
“Val,” he warns, face flushing, shoulders going rigid. He attempts to pull me closer. Okay. Enough of this bullshit. The waitress yesterday and now this? And he wants to tell me that I don’t get to see other people? I’d have a lot of ground to make up if I wanted to enter the ballpark of whatever his fuck buddy number must be. I yank my hand out of his.
“You put your dick in that?” I ask him, motioning to the vile creature standing next to us.
“Uh…” He looks confused.
“It’s a simple question, Liam. Did you put your dick into that?” I look over Valentina, not hiding my disgust.
“Oh, Taryn, honey, I know it’s difficult, but you don’t need to—” Valentina starts but I’m not having it.
