“Well…” I collect myself. “That’s very forward of you.” My shoulders straighten and I stare at the corner of his mouth as it tilts up.
“Just telling the truth.”
My indecisiveness can’t determine if I want to let this play out or thank him for the drink and leave. I run my index finger along the inside of my thumb as I weigh the options. All the while, Liam’s sitting across from me, leaning back in the too small chair as his hand works its way over his jaw. He’s just staring at me and looking far too handsome for someone who had a grueling football practice less than an hour ago.
He looks so comfortable. And not that I’m necessarilyuncomfortable, I guess.
I sigh, confusion swirling in my mind. Where’s the flashy guy with women on rotation? That’s who he’s supposed to be, right?I’ve seen him at events and parties—he’s a joker, the life of the party, but every time I’m alone with him, he’s so settled and secure. It makes being annoyed with him incredibly difficult. Before I can actually make a decision myself about leaving, he scoots himself closer into the edge of the table.
“Please don’t leave.” His mossy eyes focus on mine, a plea, almost. “I know that’s what you’re thinking.”
“No, it isn’t,” I rush out. I’m a terrible liar, my facial expressions screw me every single time.
Both of his eyebrows arch as he dips his head.
“You’re a really bad liar, Dem.”
I gently pull myself back in my chair, letting out a sigh as I do.
“How was practice?” I finally ask after a moment of contemplation.
“I don’t want to talk about work.”
“Well then, what should we talk about?”
The contemporary music in this coffee shop is playing at a soft, low volume as the song changes, and I feel a shift in the entire atmosphere. There is greenery that hangs on the brick wall beside us in this back corner and a sign behind Liam that readsSip & Yap.It’s cute. I could sit here all day and inhale the smell of coffee beans and pastries.
No one is in line at the counter anymore. There are only two other people in this entire little place on the opposite side of the cafe, and I see one barista cleaning some of the coffee appliances behind the counter. Their mid-afternoon rush seems to have slowed and it’s that time of the day where people are thinking about switching to a cocktail, not grabbing a latte.
“Anything else,” he says. “Tell me something new with you.”
“Fine. There’s a prime-time reporter slot opening up next season—no one is leaving, they’re just adding one more to the crew—and I want it.” I haven’t actually said that out loud to anyone other than my boss, yet I just said it to Liam with somuch joy in my chest it has me pulling back briefly in shock at how easily that news left my lips.
“You’ll get it.” He nods, no sarcasm in his words. “I believe in you.”
A phrase no man has ever said to me, and it makes my stomach drop.
My index finger picks at the nail polish on my thumb as I stare at him. His lips lift into a smile as he brings his cup to his lips. “You found a loophole into talking about work. Smart.” He takes a sip and then clears his throat, placing the cup on the table. “You know I’d listen to you talk about anything.”
“It’s probably best to stick to work topics.”
“Seriously?”
“Liam, aside from work there isn’t anything for us to talk about.”
His head shakes back and forth. “That’s not true. There are a million things to talk about.”
My shoulders slouch slightly as I watch his Adam’s apple bob through the words and I’m staring too intently, I can feel it.
“Tell me about the last book you read.” The corner of his mouth lifting.
“Do you read?”
“No, but I’ve seen you on the sidelines a time or two with a book sticking out of your bag.”
“Observant.” I drag my gaze to his before taking another sip of coffee. “Sometimes they have dragons, sometimes they’re like reading a rom-com movie, it just depends on my mood.” I shrug, thinking to myself how odd it is having him ask me that. No one has ever asked about the books I read.
“Would I like them?”
