Suddenly, Severin’s eyes lock on mine as if he can read every dirty thought that just passed through my mind, and I feel my cheeks heat from his gaze.
I clear my throat, looking away from him. “So, what are you really doing in Iris Lake?” I ask, my words quiet enough to not carry over the hum of the Pub.
“I’m really here to see you and Emett.”
“Why?” My tone is both snappy and intrigued because just like my heart, it can’t decide which side are we on when it comes to Severin Minaev.
Severin is quiet for a long moment, just dragging the crayon across the page and it almost feels like he doesn’t have an answer to it any more than I do.
“Liam…is he—”
“He’s a friend. Not that it matters.”
Those caramel eyes lock on mine. “No, you’re right. It doesn’t. You’d be mine anyway,” he throws out casually, then goes back to coloring in the grapes on the page.
I open my mouth to say something…anything, but I hear my name getting called by customers and walk over there.
What does that mean? What did he mean?
The night turns busy, and I keep running between tables and orders, not having the chance to go back to see how Emett and Severin are doing, but I do catch glances of them laughing or whispering things to each other.
My heart simultaneously thaws and freezes right up at the sight. As a woman, this is like catnip to me. As a mom, I must think about my son first and foremost because Emett is getting attached and sooner or later, Severin will get bored with us.
“Aurora,” Liam hisses when I come to collect a few drinks. “What is he doing here?”
“If I knew, I’d tell you.”
“I don’t like it.” He narrows his eyes at Severin.
I click my tongue and couple it with a roll to my eyes. “Quit the caveman boyfriend bullshit, Liam. You’re neither a caveman nor a boyfriend.”
“Yes, I am,” he pouts.
“Which of the two?” I arch an eyebrow.
“I could be both,” he mutters, and I burst out laughing.
“Oh, Jesus Christ, Liam. I needed that, thank you.”
“I have no idea why you’re laughing right now. I would make an excellent boyfriend to you.”
“Uh-huh…and the million other girlfriends you have on the sides…what are we going to do with those?”
“You know, all you have to do is just the say the word, and I’ll be only yours.”
“Ah.” I clutch my pretend pearls. “And take Iris Lake’s favorite playboy off the market? Do you want all the cougars to go after me?”
“Oh, shut up.” He swats me with a towel playfully, barely suppressing his own smile.
“Is everything all right here?” Severin materializes out of nowhere with a scowl on his beautiful face and my laugh cuts off swift and instant. That heart of mine jumping at his proximity like it does every time.
Liam cuts his gaze to mine. “And which one is he?” It’s his turn to raise an eyebrow that I ignore with a tiny scowl.
“All good, are you leaving?” I ask Severin.
“I thought you still had another hour in your shift.” He tilts his head, checking the expensive watch on his wrist, and I nod.
“I do.”
