I used to get so frustrated with Taylor for his outfit choices, his makeup fetish, and his need to beover the topwith everything, until these last few weeks. Watching Knox love my brother, encourage him, support him, and not find fault with a single one of his character traits has made me realizeIwas the problem all along.
And now, I’m being taught the same lesson again.
“Yeah, they really do.” The longing in my voice is painfully obvious, but if Liam notices, he doesn’t say anything. He does, however, talk incessantly on our walk back to the cabin, and Irevel in the sound of his voice.God, I want to reach over and hold his hand.
When he placed his hand on my lower back earlier, I almost melted into a puddle right there in the entryway. I couldn’t stop myself from whipping my head around and glancing at him over my shoulder, but he just shrugged, like it was no big deal.
Except every time he touches meisa big deal…and becoming bigger.
With all my lovely revelations recently, I’m also growing guiltier by the day, knowing I continue to harbor secrets from him.
The thought of telling Liam I’m gay doesn’t terrify me the same way it used to. Hell, after tonight, it doesn’t really scare me at all. What chills me to the bone is knowing that once he knows I’m attracted to men, he’ll try to find me the perfect man, and eventually, I’ll have to come clean about being in love with him.
And I’m not ready for that.
Because while being gay may not impact our friendship, being in love with him definitely will.
How could it not?
“I mean, I totally think I could do it,” Liam continues beside me, causing me to whip my head toward him because…what?Liam thinks he could be gay?
“Well, maybe not the business side, because who the hell in their right mind would loan me a million dollars to get started, but like, I could do the rest of it.”
Oh.The bed-and-breakfast. Right.
Apparently, the idea of a B&B has really hit Liam in his chest because I haven’t seen himthisanimated in quite some time.
“You would have to put together a business plan and scout for potential investors,” I supply, trying to reengage.
“Oh, investors! Right!” He turns to look at me. “Um, how do you find investors?” he asks.
“Tell you what,” I start, “Taylor’s boyfriend is good friends with the guy who owns Ellington Enterprises.”
“The multi-billion-dollar investment firm?” Liam practically shrieks.
“One and the same. Why don’t I see if I can set you two up on a Zoom meeting, and you can pitch your idea to him? Maybe he can walk you through the steps you’d need to take. Hell, he might even have some clients willing to invest.”
Liam’s eyes widen. “I don’t know that I’m ready for all of that. I mean, I want to do it, but I need to think this through a little more before I waste someone’s time.”
His lack of confidence in himself hurts me.
“Li, you can do anything you set your mind to,” I remind him as our cabin comes into view.
“I knowyouthink that. You’ve always been my biggest cheerleader, but that’s like real money, with real consequences, and you know I’ve never been so great at real-life anything, especially since Mom died.”
I stop unbuttoning my peacoat, ignore the alarm bells of my libido going off, and place my hands on Liam’s shoulders…his broad, muscular shoulders that are being choked to death by the skin-tight sweater he’s wearing. The same sweater that’s outlining his pecs and has demanded my attention all night.
Fuck. Focus, Damon.
“Losing your mom was traumatic, Li. Not being told she was sick left you with trust issues that were exacerbated when your dad started sleeping with my brother behind our backs. It was a betrayal on multiple levels, and I haven’t helped things recently, either. Your response to these events is understandable. What matters is that you’re working through them. We are all evolving—at least we allshouldbe evolving—into better versions of ourselves. So, have some grace for yourself because I happento think you’re very capable and would make a great business owner, especially in the hospitality industry.”
My heart rate speeds up. With each word of truth I speak to him, I feel myself preparing to reveal one of the cards I hold closest to my chest.
“Thanks, D.” Liam pulls me into a rib-crushing hug after that.
When he releases me, I’m reluctant to let go and take an extra second just to breathe him in before pulling away.
“Mind if I get a little more work done?” I ask.
