Rex pauses the movie while I get our food. He beams at me when I return and suggest we sit on the floor and use the coffee table as our dinner table. When we get settled, he must sense I’m actually paying attention to the movie now because he starts up with his running commentary again, telling me facts about theStar Warsfranchise—“Uncle Liam buys me all the books I want, and I have a bunch of behind-the-scenes ones from movies I like”—and making me laugh by reciting lines from memory.
When the movie is over, I ask Rex if he wants to start another one. He tells me he’d like to read—firmly cementing my love for him—and pulls a graphic novel from his backpack. He curls up in the chair closest to the fireplace, and I wrap a blanket around him, unable to resist dropping a kiss on his forehead. He gives me a sleepy smile. Toward the end of the movie, I noticed his eyelids were starting to droop. I have a feeling he won’t get far in his book before falling asleep.
My phone pings with a text message. Mae has checked in a few times throughout the evening, and I’ve sent her updates and goofy selfies of Rex and me. This latest message is to tell me Nathan should be picking Rex up in the next half hour or so.
Rex is struggling to stay awake. I’m not sure whether I should try to keep him up or let him fall asleep. I perch on the arm of his chair and he peers up at me, blinking owlishly.
“Nathan will be coming to get you soon,” I tell him, brushing back a lock of thick, dark hair that’s fallen over his forehead. At his sleepy ‘okay’ I decide it’s probably best to attempt to keep him awake. He’ll likely fall asleep in Nathan’s truck on the way home, but this way he won’t have to keep falling asleep and being woken up. “Where does Nathan live anyway?”
“Down the street from Aunt Mae and Smurph.” Rex closes his graphic novel and sits up straighter. “He’s lived there forever. It was his mom’s house and he kept it when she died. He sleeps in the big bedroom now and he turned his old room into a room for me ’cause it has cool baseball wallpaper.” He pauses to release a shuddering yawn. The force of it makes him tilt to the side a bit, and he goes with it, leaning against me. “I have four bedrooms: one at Mom’s, one at Uncle Liam’s, one at Uncle Nathan’s, and one at the Murphys’.”
“You’re lucky to have so many people who love you,” I murmur, putting my arm around him and squeezing gently.
“I know.” The way he says it makes me think he’s heard this before.
“What about the Murphys’ daughter? Fiona? She’s away most of the time, right?” I tell myself I’m asking in order to keep Rex awake, but if I’m being perfectly honest it’s because I’m curious.
“Auntie Fi is a tour guide. She lives in England.” He pronounces it ‘Inga-lind’. “She always brings me back the coolest stuff when she comes home to visit. Uncle Nathan is in love with her, but he pretends to hate her because he’s mad she left.”
I had just taken a sip of my juice and now I almost choke. I cover my surprised laugh with a sputtering cough, hoping Rex doesn’t notice.
He leans back in the chair to peer up at me. “It’s true. I’ve overheard my uncles talking about it. I wasn’t listening on purpose, I just have good hearing and I can’t help it that I overhear stuff the grown-ups don’t think I should know.”
Oh, god, this kid. I make a mental note to be careful of what I say whenever he’s within hearing distance. I’m doubly glad I sent a call from Natalie to voicemail earlier in the evening and then followed up with a text telling her I’d talk to her later.
Headlights illuminate the living room as a vehicle turns into the driveway. “That’ll be Nathan. Why don’t you get your stuff together and I’ll get the door.”
My heart does an acrobatic flip in my chest when I open the door to Liam rather than Nathan.Of courseit’s Liam. Why wouldn’t it be, especially after I decided keeping my distance would be the smartest thing? I’ve already discovered he’s everywhere in town, like some cosmic joke, so why wouldn’t he turn up on my doorstep now?
Before I can greet him, Rex bounces into view. “I thought Uncle Nathan was coming for me!” He throws himself at Liam, who hugs him tightly and ruffles his hair.
“Hi, buddy. I finished work earlier than expected, so I thought I’d surprise you.” His eyes lift to mine and he gives me a smile full of mischief. “Surprise.”
“Surprise indeed.”
“We had so much fun,” Rex says, releasing Liam so he can cram his feet into his winter boots. All traces of sleepiness have vanished and he’s back to his exuberant self. I’m glad I'm not the one who’ll have to put him to bed. “We had pizza and cookies and watched a movie. Joss let me help her shop for groceries and she said I can come back and help her decorate her tree when she’s feeling more Christmassy.”
“Wow,” Liam says, drawing out the word, his amused gaze shifting between his nephew and me. “Sounds like a great night. I wish I’d been here with you two instead of at work.”
“Maybe you can come next time.” Rex looks at me hopefully as he says this. I have no idea how to respond, so I just nod. “Oh! I forgot my pencil crayons. I’ll be right back.” He kicks his boots back off and scurries into the living room.
I turn from watching him to find Liam standing closer than he was a second ago. A distinct sawdust scent mingles with his usual musky cologne. The combination makes me want to throw myself at him and bury my nose in his neck. Andthatthought makes me want to run in the other direction and hide until he and Rex leave.
“Thanks for helping out with Rex tonight.” The words aren’t remotely sexy, and yet the low rumble of his voice so close to my ear makes my nipples stand at attention. “Work has been intense for Nathan and me lately, and Thea…well, it’s probably a good thing she’s not around Rex too much right now.”
At my furrowed-brow look, he glances over my shoulder. Rex hasn’t returned yet, but I recall what he told me about his excellent hearing. I also recall the silent tension between Liam and Thea at The Watering Hole, along with the unmistakable scent of alcohol wafting from Thea the first time I met her. Liam lets out a weary sigh and returns his attention to me.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. His answering smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m happy to help out with Rex anytime. I genuinely enjoyed his company tonight.”
At my words, Liam’s smile turns more genuine. “He’s a great kid. And if you wouldn’t mind helping out with him from time to time while you’re here, we’d all appreciate it. He needs all the stable, loving influences he can get.” He peers toward the living room before reaching for my hand and holding my fingers loosely. “Nathan and I are wrapping up the project we’ve been working on soon, and I’d like to take you out for coffee sometime. Or maybe dinner?”
There go my nipples again, straining against the silky material of my bra. It’s like they recognize Liam’s voice and are reaching out for him. I gently pull my hand free from his and cross my arms over my chest. “Coffee would be nice, but I think I need to make it clear I’m only looking for friendship.”
“You were looking for more than that the other night,” Liam says in a low voice that makes me feel like someone has just turned the thermostat to its highest setting.
I let out a huff and twist to look over my shoulder. Rex is taking an awfully long time getting his pencil case. He’s probably hovering on the other side of the wall, listening with that ‘excellent hearing’ of his. “Temporary insanity,” I hiss.
I expect Liam to look offended or maybe disappointed. Instead, a knowing smile spreads over his face, making his eyes twinkle with mirth. “If friendship is what you want, we can try that,” he says.
