“You and Chloe have a business arrangement that hardly includes overnight stays and chicken noodle soup.”
He’d had about enough of Sean’s attitude. “What’s your problem exactly?”
“My problem is that you show up over here and suddenly Chloe’s delirious? She’s never reacted to any kind of medication like—”
“You thinkIgave her something? Why would I do that?”
“I don’t know—same reason other guys do that kind of thing.”
Like a roofie or something? Wow. Sean’s opinion of him couldn’t be lower. Liam tamped down the rage that swelled inside. He wanted to slug the man’s smug face. “I would never do that to anyone, much less Chloe.”
Sean lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know you. And what I do know about you isn’t very flattering.”
“If I’d done something like that, why would I have called Meghan or anyone else for that matter?”
“Why did you call Meghan? Why not just take Chloe straight to the hospital?”
“Because Meghan had left a bunch of pills for Chloe, and I was trying to figure out what they were. Is it so impossible to think I might actually like your sister? Want to help her?”
“She really doesn’t need another guy coming around making promises he can’t keep.”
“As you said, we have a deal. That’s all.” But he’d been here all night, taking care of her. Even he could admit that was beyond the confines of their arrangement. Was he starting to have feelings for her? He flagged the thought for later.
“Just remember when your so-called deal is over, you—and your bad reputation—will go back to your Hollywood life.”
From what Chloe had told him, Sean had his own issues with commitment. It took the control of a saint to keep that thought to himself.
“You’d better not be leading her on.”
“Chloe’s a good person. I’d never do anything to hurt her.”
Sean’s gaze burned into Liam for a long, tense moment. “See that you don’t.”
Liam pressed his lips together. He was done with this guy. He reached for the doorknob.
“You can leave the key with me.”
What did he think Liam was going to do? Break in at night and make more soup? “It’s on the table.”
He was so irritated he didn’t notice a third car in the driveway until he was off the porch.
Chloe’s mother stepped from the white Chevy Malibu, aiming a warm smile his way. “Hey, sweetheart, how’s our girl?”
He shook off the confrontation with Sean and returned her grin. “Hi, Millie. She’s much better today, thank God. Back to normal—except for the flu, of course.”
Millie rested her hand on his arm. “That was so kind of you to keep watch over her all night. I’d have been happy to come over and stay with her myself.”
“I know you would’ve, but it’s a nasty virus and I’ve already had it.”
“Well, you’re an absolute angel.”
“Hi, Mom.” Sean lounged in the doorway.
“Hi, honey. I’m glad you’re here. You can help me squeeze these oranges. There’s nothing like fresh orange juice to perk up your immune system.” She shifted the bag and addressed Liam. “We’ll get her back on her feet again. I know she hates missing the filming. Such terrible timing.”
“She’s blessed to have so many people who care.”
“The church already has a meal train in the works. And hopefully she’ll be back to her usual peppy self in a week or so, just in time for the Fourth. It’s a big to-do around here with a parade and fireworks. I hope Chloe invited you to our cookout. We do it every year—though now that I think of it, it’s usually here at Chloe’s, and I’m not sure if the filming schedule will interfere. The county sets off fireworks from a barge, and she has a lovely view from her pier.”
