The sizzle filled the kitchen. He nudged them gently, turned the heat down, and watched them begin to set.
“You seem kind of quiet, babe.”
I opened my mouth to speak and stopped. If I shared what was on my mind now, I was worried about what might come out.
And what that might do to Liam and me.
*
Me:Thanks for the update, Sebastian.
Sebastian:Anytime.
He probably thought I knew about the purchase, that it had been Liam. The text was just a courtesy.
We lay on my sofa, Liam’s long limbs sprawled across the cushions. Mr. Darcy sat on his lap, purring, and the room still smelled faintly of eggs. To an outsider looking in, the setup looked idyllic. Happy, even.
I was trying not to spiral, but I couldn’t decide which I felt more: humiliation or hurt.
How couldhe?
“So you bought it,” I said coldly. I couldn’t sit with it inside me any longer.
“What?” He was flicking through the channels, looking for the latest MAFS.
“My painting.”
“What about it?” His eyes didn’t leave the screen.
I sat up and folded my arms.
“You bought it, Liam.” My tone had a hard edge that made him look over, and Mr. Darcy decide it was time to leave.
“Sorry, babe, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I tipped my head on one side. “I think you do.”
He pushed himself upright and turned to me.
“I was just—” He gestured at the screen. “Sorry. I wasn’t listening properly. What’s up?”
“Are you seriously going to pretend you don’t know?”
“About your painting?”
His hair was messed up, his features softened by the dim corner lamp. Looking at him like this, the real, gentle Liam, made my heart twist.
Please, Liam. Don’t make this worse than it alreadyis.
“Sebastian told me. Seventeen thousand.” I tried to keep my tone neutral.
“Andy, that’s great. Seventeen thousand is—”
“Don’t patronize me.”
His brow creased.
“I don’t know what you mean. That’s an incredible price for a first piece. Isn’t it?”
