“Um ...” I trail off, hating the pressure of choosing something soon due to the rapidly forming line. Another attendee appears beside me and I wave off the worker to take them next.
“Can I have the ham and cheese quiche?” The voice makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand, and again, I risk a glance. Liam has a small smile—something different from his usual scowl—as he grabs the plate from the guy. He doesn’t look at me, and instead walks off, and I huff.
He’s doing what I’m doing: staying away.
I realize that what he ordered is something that doesn’t have seafood. I thank my lucky stars before the guy comes back, and I ask for the same quiche. My mouth waters as I smell the decadent mix of cheeses and ham. Smiling, I make my way back, though Mom’s nowhere to be found.
The woman on the stage is no longer announcing anything, and I look closely to see Josh has scooped Mom up to talk to more people. Potential partners for the new firm, potential clients, and so on. I make my way to stand next to William as Olivia chats Liam’s ear off about something. I ignore the feeling in my heart when she twists her hair around her pointer finger, probably giving him her innocent little doe eyes. Not paying attention, someone pushes my shoulder playfully, and I gaze up to see William’s eyes meeting mine, waiting.
“So?” he asks while fully facing me. I gulp as my anxiety starts to rise at that, since I didn’t hear the question.
I try to salvage the moment, chuckling softly. “Sorry, Will, I didn’t really hear the question.” He chuckles right back.
“It’s alright, Bianca. I repeat myself to Ana all the time. The only reason she remembers her head is because it’s attached to her neck,” he says, and Ana looks over at him, pulling away from the group of ladies she’s already infiltrated. She walks over before looking up at William.
“You talking bad about me, Will?” Ana asks.
He feigns hurt. “Never, my love.” She rolls her eyes as he plants a kiss on her forehead before they both look at me. “I was asking Bianca if she’s excited to start Mella Colta in the fall.”
Liam seems to stiffen; it must be regarding whatever Olivia’s said. I smile as I flit my eyes back to them.
“Yeah, for sure. Mella Colta has been my dream school since I was little.”
William chuckles. “I remember, you and Li—”
His sentence is stopped short when Liam’s voice joins in. “Dad.”
His deep voice causes me to shudder slightly, but I rub my arms as if to blame the cool draft. Looking over, I catch sight of Olivia, who’s walking away. She slides next to Josh and he looks like he’s already started scolding her. Mom stands there, appearing uncomfortable, but the moment her eyes meet mine, she smiles.
Ana clears her throat, bringing my attention back. “Liam, you think you could get me more of that quiche you didn’t want?”
My eyes widen in shock and he grabs her plate before I say something. Ana and William seem to feel a bit of the tense energy between him and me.
“I thought the quiche was for you,” I say to him.
He stops, and for a moment, I think he won’t answer. “I don’t really like quiche all that much. Besides, it’s the only thing without seafood.” He leaves it at that, and Ana furrows her eyebrows.
“Bud, if that’s the case, get me something with some then.” She rolls her eyes. “I love when quiche has shrimp and crab.”
My heart beats a little irregularly as I remember Ana’s guilty pleasure is seafood, butmineisn’t. I rack my brain trying to remember if I ever told him, and I could only seem to recall when I said it in passing.
Did he remember, and when he saw me struggling, wanted to help?
I shake my head, cursing myself for being so dumb. He probably forgot or just got the first thing he saw. Nothing he does has anything to do with me anymore. I need to keep convincing myself of that.
Mom comes back over before she sighs slightly. “I’m sorry, guys. Josh has been presenting me to absolutely everyone.”
Ana waves her hand in the air. “You’re fine, Kate. I didn’t know your boyfriend organized this party.”
Mom flushes in embarrassment. “Yeah, he’s been so stressed, and I’ve had to tell him it’s going fine.” Theylaugh, and I look over to see Josh staring Mom down. Though, when he catches me looking, he smiles and waves politely.
I nod curtly before William says, “Thanks for inviting us, Kate. It’s definitely been a while, and I’m glad we got to see you again.”
Ana smiles like the cat who got the cream. “Well, I’ve been seeing her way before you, Will. Both of them.”
He shakes his head, the corner of his lips quivering. “I would’ve joined you if I wasn’t working, beautiful.” I smile, and there’s a sense of peace and comfort coming over me. These two were always such important people in my life, and while their son and I are no longer amicable, I hope I can still keep a piece of them at least.
Liam finally returns and hands Ana a plate of good food. Her eyes light up and a small smile starts on his face before it drops. Mom rubs her arm, a nervous tic I got from her. “So, I heard you’re in college, little man.” She winces. “Liam, I mean.”
