Liam pinned him with a look. “I don’t have walls.”
“You’re sitting here at thirty-two with zero long-term relationships in your rearview mirror.”
Liam gritted his teeth. This was what happened when your best friend had an underutilized psych degree. “So... what? You think I don’t want the whole marriage and family thing? I do, actually.”
“I believe you. But you’ve been so busy trying not to become your mom... Liam, I hate to tell you this, but I think you’ve become your dad instead. And you can’t even see it.”
Everything inside Liam went hard. As if he’d been filled with cement that instantly solidified. “What did you just say?”
“Fine, get mad. But you need to hear this. You’ve watched your mom all these years pining for your dad. Seen her begging and desperate and pitiful to the point of becoming an alcoholic. You didn’t want to be anything like her—who could blame you?—so you accidentally became your dad instead.”
That wasn’t true. Liam was nothing like his dad. Was he? Sure, maybe Liam dated around a bit, but Chloe was proof he was open to something long term. Something permanent. “Explain Chloe then. Maybe you weren’t around to see it, but I was all in with her.”
“I think you were—right up until something went wrong. Then you hightailed it out of there.”
“I had a flight scheduled. She blocked my number!”
“Who’d let a little thing like that stand in the way of true love?”
Liam threw his hands up. “I’m supposed to stalk her or something? I won’t be like my mom, begging for another chance.”
Spencer rolled his eyes. “This is hardly that. You could’ve given her a little time to cool off and reached out to her again via email or even gone old school with a letter. But as soon as the relationship hit the rocks, you bailed. You think Gwenn and I haven’t hit the skids a time or two? You’ve gotta work through that stuff. You’ve gotta get good at forgiving. ’Cause believe me, brother, you’ll be the one needing it next time, and you’d better hope she’s better at it than you are.”
Liam opened his mouth, a ready defense on his tongue. But the melodic strains shifted into a new song and the attendants started down the aisle.
He snapped his mouth closed. Settled back in his seat and attempted to slow his breathing. His thoughts whirled. He wanted to tear down every point Spencer had made, one by one. It was true he wanted to be nothing like his mother—not when it came to love. But the thought of turning into his dad gnawed at him. He didn’t want to be like his father either: never content, always seeking something different or better.
But had Liam inadvertently followed in his footsteps?
A quick review of his dating history supported the claim. If he was honest with himself, the thought of losing his heart to someone put the fear of God in him. Because no, he didn’t want to end up the pathetic puddle on the kitchen floor his mom had once been. He’d learned early on that love could bring a person pretty low.
And maybe Liam had given up on Chloe pretty easily. But the truth was, days before her family’s story had broken, he’d been worried about navigating their long-distance relationship. Afraid that he’d ultimately lose her. Had that played into the way he’d responded to Chloe’s accusation? Was that why he hadn’t defended himself? Why he’d given up on her so quickly?
None of this was pleasant to think about. But it was something he should consider if he wanted to figure this out. If he wanted to have the kind of love he hoped for someday.
Liam mingled on one of the stunning patios facing the ocean. Huge potted flowers and graceful palm trees lined the property, and white lights, strewn overhead, echoed the starlight beyond them. Between the band’s songs the air swelled with the sound of the surf. The ceremony had been beautiful—at least, Liam assumed it was. His mind was elsewhere for much of it. The meal had been delicious and now the dancing was well underway.
Liam excused himself from a conversation about the Actors Guild and went to stand by the low stone wall edging the patio. The party was hopping, guests crammed onto the makeshift dance floor, bopping to the beat of “Love Shack.”
“You should be out there.” Daisy appeared at his side, gorgeous in a sleeveless gown. “I happen to know you’ve got some moves.”
He leaned in for a hug. “You make a beautiful bride. It’s been an amazing evening. Where’s your other half?”
“He stopped off for a much-needed drink, and I let him since he’s getting me one too.”
“Smart man. So... next stop, the Maldives?”
“I can’t wait. It’s been a busy few months, and I’m ready to chill out on a beautiful beach.”
He couldn’t help but think of their summer on Stillwater Bay... and Chloe. “Sounds perfect.”
Daisy set her hand on his arm. “Sorry you’re going through all the tabloid crap right now. Take it from me, it’ll pass.”
Daisy had had her own share of scandals. “I know that. This one just feels more personal than most.”
“You might’ve had a PR relationship with Chloe—”
He started to speak.
