“Yeah, I’m coming to understand that. Don’t worry, beauty. You’ve got plenty of time to learn. Just ask anything you need to know.”
I don’t know if he was trying to be funny with that comment, but he sounded serious. He acts like he really will tell me anything about the business if I only ask. I don’t know what to make of that. Rather than press the issue, I chose not to participate in our conversation. He wasn’t put off by that at all. Nope. He went on to talk about his younger brothers, and his stories were amusing. Jackass.
I don’t want to like him. Or wonder what he looks like naked. I despise feeling this way. It’s why I’ve continued to avoid him for these past few days. He keeps right on sending me sexy texts as if I’m not ignoring him. How he misses seeing me. How he likes my blush after he’s kissed me. How he is “just curious” about what I wear to bed. Then, he goes on about what he’s wearing, sending me thirst traps of his perfect abs in his boxer briefs. He always includes some funny comment or opinion. It’s infuriating. It’s bad enough that I’m attracted to him. It’s not like I can deny that now. Hell, half of the university probably saw us making out. But,liking him? How can I? I mean, what’s wrong with me? He’s ruining my plans.
I followed a strict, step-by-step process to make sure I had the perfect law school application. I studied. I volunteered. I researched. I planned. I saved. I invested. A lot. How can I watch that all go up in flames to become a sheltered mob wife?
“Well, if it isn’t the future Mrs. McGuiness.”
I look up from my seat at the coffeehouse to see Theo Nicopolis grinning at me. I offer him a glare in return. Sigh. I may need a nap.
“Why, thank you. I think I will have a seat.” The idiot keeps smiling as he responds to no one. He pulls out a chair at my little two-person high top.
“I’m busy,” I hiss. Theo’s always been kind to me, but I’m in no mood for company. I’m too busy having a pity party for one.
“Ah, yes. It’s the first week of school. I can see how you’d be up to your eyeballs in work.” He smirks at me before taking a sip of his coffee.
I ignore him and go back to flipping through my political science notebook.
“You’ve got my friend all outraged on your behalf. Honestly, Taryn, I didn’t even realize you guys were that close,” Theo says, as if we chat about our relationships on a regular basis. Yeah. We don’t.
When I jerk my eyes up to meet his, I can tell he’s serious. He’s not mocking me. He seems genuinely confused about my relationship with Sam.
I shake my head. “We aren’t. I mean, we arefriends, but I wouldn’t have called us close. We helped each other?” I sound like I’m asking him this.
Theo laughs. “Yeah. I hear you were very helpful.” He waggles his eyebrows.
“I helped him with a few of his classes, asshole,” I grit out. “He helped me make some investments.”
Theo’s eyes light up. “I see. And, is he still helping you?”
“Sort of,” I mumble. “I guess.” My investment is still in the fund he helped me find, and I’m sure he’d still help me liquidate it if I needed him to.
Theo hums.
“But other people don’t need to know that,” I warn him. “It’s crass to talk about money.”
Theo laughs. “Crass. Right. The money is what’scrassabout your relationship with Sam.”
“Sam and I no longer have a relationship.” While I don’t want to be told what to do, I’m not going to keep seeing Sam while I’m still engaged. I agree with Liam on that point, even if I don’t want to.
Theo nods slowly, considering. “I will pass that along. I think your rejection got to him. Not sure a girl has ever told him to kiss off before. At any rate, it seems like he still worries about you.” I’m about to ask what he means by that last sentence when he moves on. “So, everything good with your engagement?”
“Everything is perfect.”
I feel Liam against my back as his voice comes from over my shoulder. He puts his hands on the arms of my stool, pressing against me from behind. I can’t help but break out in goose bumps as he envelops me in warmth.
Theo’s eyes study Liam for a second before they move back to me. “That so, Taryn?” He takes another leisurely sip of coffee.
“Now, why would I tell you that if it isn’t so, Nicopolis?” Liam’s voice is deeper than I remember. Jesus. He might as well piss a circle around me.
I turn to look him in the eye. “Theo and I were catching up.” My voice sounds breathier than I’d like. He’s too close.
Liam growls low in his throat and I’m torn between being turned on and angry. Maybe if he thinks I still want to talk with other guys, he won’t want this engagement. Maybe after everything he told me about the Greeks, if he thinks I don’t care and can still be friends with Theo, I can drive him away. My gut churns at the thought of remaining friends with someone who condones human trafficking. It also feels unsettling to think about disappointing Liam after everything he shared with me, and that realization alone makes me steel my spine. I need to let my claws out.
Liam examines my expression with trepidation, and I don’t look away until Theo finally clears his throat. “Yeah, so, it was greatcatching up, Taryn. I’ve gotta run, so I’ll let you two get back to yourperfectengagement.” He slides out of his chair. He tips his head at Liam before looking me right in the eye. “And I’ll pass along that message to Sam for you.”
Liam sucks in a breath as Theo strolls out of the cafe. In a heartbeat, my fiancé slides around to occupy the vacant seat.
