Finally, the doors opened, and Eliza actually gasped.
“Wow… Andy.” She turned to me. “Guess we don’t have to muck in with making the salad, then?”
Everything was already done. The long dining table was laid, with a couple of waiters, their backs to us, moving up and down it. One had his hair tied back in a ponytail, and there was something vaguely familiar about him. In the kitchen, a man in a white jacket was moving calmly between the stove and the counter.God, was that actually… achef?
Liam stood in the living room, frowning slightly with his phone pressed against his ear. When he heard us, he turned, an instant smile lifting his expression and knocking at least five years off him. He put the phone down on the coffee table and walked over quickly, beaming.
“Andrea. Hi.” His gaze settled on my face, and he looked as if he was going to say something, but then… didn’t.
“Hi.” I smiled instinctively, then stopped myself, but I was too late. Liam’s mouth twisted up at the corners, and he leaned forward slightly, arms bent, like he was about to hug me.
Nope. Not that, thankyou.
I stuck out a hand stiffly and took a small step backward. The last thing I needed was to be wrapped in his arms, even if itwasjust a social hug. I hadn’t been able to get the thought of him in his bedroom half naked out of my mind since it had happened. Thank God I hadn’t had any further dreams where we were having sex. This man wasnotmy boyfriend.
Now I just needed to make sure my heartbeat got the memo. I hadn’t done very well with that so far, especially since every time we met, I seemed to see another side to him.
“Right. Yes.” His hand was warm and dry, his grip firm.
Like it had been when he’d held my thighs and pushed them apartand—
No, no, no.
His hand stayed in mine a bit too long, his eyes still restingon me. He wore a black cotton shirt, a couple of buttons open at the throat, and his clean-shaven face looked almost boyish.
If it hadn’t been for that look in his eyes…
Next to me, Eliza cleared her throat. “Not at the hugging stage yet, then?” She raised a brow. “I think you guys might need to get over that.”
Liam dropped my hand and laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I… ah—perhaps we do. At some stage.” He extended his hand to Eliza, and they shook awkwardly. “Good to see you again, Eliza.” He turned back to me. “The other guests won’t be here for a couple of hours, so feel free to settle in and make it look like home.”
“I’ve got my dressing gown and my toothbrush, if that’s what you mean,” I said.
“Of course. Whatever you need to make it feel more… Andrea-esque.”
“Andrea-esque?” Eliza laughed. “You mean controlled chaos, alphabetized and color-coded so nobody notices she’s about to lose the plo—Ouch!”
I stood on my sister’s foot a little harder than I’d meant to and smiled tightly.
“Thanks, Liam. We have a few knickknacks on the way up too. If it’s all right with you, we’ll just pop them around and brighten the place up.”
“Please, by all means. Give Eliza the tour. Nothing’s off-limits, of course. I’m just finishing up on some calls.”
Just then, the door pinged, and I heard the sound of mewing. The porter walked into the entryway, pushing a gleaming luggage trolley stacked with our bags and boxes. At the bottom, a very disgruntled-looking cat peered out of his carrier.
“Where would you like these, Mr. Roth?”
“Just here is fine.” Liam frowned.
The porter unloaded the trolley and discreetly slid away.
“You brought thecat?” he said.
“He needs his meds,” I said. “Anyway, Mr. Darcy will seal the fake dating deal. Nothing says ‘changed man’ quite like hosting your new girlfriend’s disabled cat over dinner, right?”
“Right… but… will he be okay here? I don’t have… things for him. Cat things.”
“Not to worry, we do,” said Eliza briskly. “All we need is a quiet room and something for him to poop in.”
