Liam staring at me with his pretty hazel eyes and giving me that flirty little grin isn’t new. Although, the fact that I haven’t turned him down already for the simple drink offer is making alarms ring in my ears. Normally I’d be on the other side of those sliding glass doors by now.
“Take as much time as you need. I know this is a big decision.” He runs his tongue over his bottom lip as he staresbefore smiling again, and I bite the inside of my cheek so hard I’m shocked I don’t taste blood.
Brandon made a comment once years ago that he didn’t like the way Liam looked at me. Funny, considering I can’t recall a time Brandon looked at me with half the adoration that Liam does.
“Coffee,” I finally huff out.
“Iced or hot?”
The shock on my face comes from the fact that he’s not questioning me asking for a coffee at almost six in the evening and instead just wants to know how I want it, although I doubt they have café con leche, so I’ll happily take an iced coffee.
“Iced.”
“Stay here.” He pushes himself from the counter and disappears beyond the door and onto the patio, leaving a rich woodland scent in his wake. He kind of smells like a forest during Christmas time. I can’t explain it, but it’s comforting.
I can see him talking with a bartender and then he ushers Abby to his side and asks something close to her ear.
I thought I’d feel a little more out of place here considering I don’t socialize like this, but oddly enough, the five minutes I just had with Liam are the most comfortable I’ve felt in a while. Realistically speaking, he is one of the first people I actually met when I started with the Knights all those years ago, so maybe I subconsciously created a small soft spot for him.
“Now, Demi, what are you doing without a mic attached to you?” Graham Turner gently places his hand on my arm as he comes to my side. “Nice to see you,” he says with a smile.
“Hi, good to see you. Congratulations on your retirement.”
“Oh, thank you. Can I get you anything?” he asks with a contagious smile.
I shake my head, knowing Liam has already made his way outside. “No, thank you. Liam’s grabbing me something.”
Graham’s brows raise slightly as he nods with a grin. “What a gentleman,” he says, lowering his voice as he begins to move. “I better go see what the birthday boy is up to.”
Graham tips his hat at me before he walks away, and I take in a deep breath, doing a quick scan of my surroundings.
This entire house is full of people. Something that definitely overwhelms me a bit, but it’s nice when I see familiar faces in nearly every corner. And it’s clear to see how well loved Ford is by the amount of people here to celebrate with him.
When I glance back to the patio, it’s easy to find Liam right away. He’s still standing next to the outdoor bar, but he has his arm around a small silver-haired elderly woman. I’ve seen her before at the Recreation Center downtown. I’m pretty sure she’s one of the people who help run it.
I watch as he pulls her in, kissing her near her temple and keeping her close under his arm. She smiles at him and he grabs a drink for her before walking her to a chair at the patio table.
I’m glued to the interaction. He’s so attentive with her, so genuine, and it’s a very sweet and tender moment I seem to have barged in on.
Shaking my head, I turn my attention to the food on the counter in front of me as I blow out a sigh.
Lots of men help elderly women. This isn’t something new and profound that Liam Evans is discovering. But it does make me smile.
“Here you go, Doll. One gin and tonic.” I grab the glass from the bartender and place it in Dolly’s free hand just before I help her take a seat on one of the comfortable patio chairs.
“Oh thank you.” She brushes me off as I grab her a napkin and place it on the table in front of her.
“Anything for you.”
She offers me a smile and cocks her head to the side.
“Go have fun,” she says in a sweet, low tone.
Dolly is one of those women who has made taking care of other people her life’s work. She doesn’t have children, and since I’ve known her has put all her time, energy, and good spirits into helping kids downtown. She’s one of the best people I’ve met since living here.
When I turn back to the bartender, I see he’s placed the coffees I ordered on the bar top. I nod in his direction and place a tip in his jar before grabbing the drinks and walking back inside.
My eyes land on Demi immediately. Goddamn, she’s pretty. How anyone fucked up big enough to lose her is beyond my understanding. Aside from being the most beautiful woman I know, she’s got this grit about her. This relentlessness and strength I’ve always admired. She’s sure of herself and what she’s capable of. It’s also always turned me on that she seems about 30 percent annoyed with everything I say.
