Clearly, I don’t need to say anything then.
I follow Charlotte with a tray in each hand as Liv mutters something about needing a wee again.
Dec grabs the trays from me as soon as I appear with his mother, looking slightly irritated.
“You are not waiting staff,” he mutters.
“I know, and neither is your mother. I was helping and as she has guessed about Liv being pregnant, she wouldn’t let her carry anything.”
“Ah. Sorry. I want you to feel comfortable here, not like you’ve catered the afternoon.”
I nod, reach up and stroke his cheek. “Thank you.”
He smiles, a warm and gentle smile that melts my heart and heats me up as I realise, I don’t think I have ever seen him wear that smile before.
Suddenly, there is nobody else present, it’s just us and I swear he is leaning in to kiss me when Mase appears, oblivious to our moment.
“Where’s Liv?” Before I can answer, he checks out the trays Dec is holding. “No brownies, so I am guessing if I find the brownies, I will find my wife.”
I laugh as I give him an affirming nod.
“Mason.” We all turn to see Bethy summoning her oldest brother. “Come here, we need to talk.”
Charlotte is standing next to her daughter wearing a slightly guilty expression making me think that Liv and Mase’s baby secret is even less of a secret than it was.
“Go,” I tell him. “You go and get grilled, and I’ll retrieve Liv from the brownies.” I smile up at Dec and take in just how gorgeous he is.
“What?” He frowns a little awkwardly.
“Nothing, just you make a very handsome waiter.”
He laughs. “Jeez, your pickup lines are cheesy, but I’m glad you appreciate my waiting skills, because later, I intend to be at your beck and call.”
I flush, knowing he is talking sex.
“Yup! Your every wish is going to be catered for.”
I flush a little deeper but seem to have lost the power of speech.
He laughs. “Go and save the brownies before Liv eats them all.”
~~~
I am about to re-enter the kitchen when I hear voices; one man and one woman. Liv is the woman and the man’s voice is familiar, too.
“So, whoring yourself to Mase is working out well for you!”
The venom in the man’s voice is shocking to me. It sounds as if this person holds real hatred for Liv, something I didn’t think was possible from anyone.
“Christian, this really is unnecessary. For whatever reason, you don’t like me, never have, but whether you like it or not we are going to be thrown together at these types of occasions.”
“I don’t like it and if I have my way those opportunities will be limited in number and time.”
I move closer, but don’t quite enter the kitchen. I can see Liv standing near the island in the middle of the room.
“Whatever. You keep being a dick to me and see how that works out for you.” Liv sounds exasperated even with her flat tone.
I watch as she seems to step away, preparing to leave I assume. I physically jump when I watch a hand grab her wrist, the owner of the hand still out of sight.
