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If only that were true. But he could hardly count his past words as sincere. “I just wanted to reiterate it again. I had just received some disappointing news from work, and I hadn’t eaten or slept, so I…” He broke off, shaking his head. This was the worst confession known to man. “Anyway, I just wanted to apologize again for being shirty.”

He ended, introducing an awkward silence between them as he shifted his footing against the pathway and stared hard at the dark water catching the light from the lamps.

“Well,” Claire began, “I think this goes without saying, but your apology is more than accepted.”

Liam glanced toward her, their gazes catching as the Christmas lights danced in her blue eyes.

“Thank you,” he said softly, watching her for a minute, her hair fluttering in the cold, winter breeze, her small nose painted pink at the tip.

“So are you ever going to tell me what the disappointing news was that your job gave you?” she asked.

Liam stared, dragging his mind to focus on her question instead of the pleasant way her freckles dotted her nose. “Oh, it was nothing.” He never should have mentioned his blasted job.

“Come on,” Claire pressed. “You got to hear everything about my work for, like, an hour. I don’t even get to hear one tiny thing about yours?”

She had a point, but still he hesitated. He hadn’t spoken of the news to anyone, fearing that saying it aloud would finally settle in stone what had happened. But then, it already was settled. Keeping his disappointment in, attempting to process the news all by himself, was probably the thing upsetting him the most.

Claire intentionally bumped against his shoulder with her own, a small smile curving her lips as a subtle nudge for him to continue.

Fine. That settled it. Not just because of her encouragement, but because he wanted something else to focus on besides the warmth in his heart that continued to steadily grow each time they touched.

“It really is nothing,” he said, staring across the Thames. “I’d been promised a promotion for a few years, and I didn’t get it. That’s all.”

Claire’s brows pulled together. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

He shrugged, attempting to blow off the disappointment as simply that—a disappointment, instead of the life-altering, soul-crushing, heart-wrenching thing that had occurred.

“It’s alright,” he said. “It’s life, I suppose.”

But Claire shook her head. “No, that’s so awful. To be promised something for so long.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “There’s nothing worse than when promises fall through. Especially when they’re made by people you should be able to trust.”

Liam studied her, noting that the look on her face now was the same as when she’d spoken of her parents on the Tube. Was she thinking of them now? Were they the ones who’d disappointed her with unfulfilled promises?

“So is that why you took time off?” she guessed next.

Liam would much rather discuss her family issues than his work problems. But then, perhaps if he answered her questions, she’d be more willing to answer his own.

Slowly, he nodded. “I’d like to profess complete altruistic reasoning behind my returning home, but yes. Part of the reason was to be with my mum. But most of it was because my new boss—the person now in the position I was supposed to have—started this week, and I just couldn’t handle being there.”

“Like salt in the wound.”

“Precisely.”

“I don’t blame you for taking time off. I wouldn’t want to be there either.” Claire shook her head again, her frown increasing. “Did they hire someone inhouse or…”

“No, it was an outside source. A woman from a different company.” He glanced at Claire sidelong. “From the States.”

Her eyes dawned with recognition. “Ohhh. So that’s why you were so…you know.”

He rubbed self-consciously at the back of his neck. “Yeah.”

“Wow,” Claire mused. “So an American stole your job and your luggage. No wonder you hate us.”

Her teasing glance eased only a small amount of his guilt. “I have nothing against the lot of you. I’m sure who they hired is no doubt highly qualified for the position.”

“But still,” Claire continued. “Even if she is qualified, to have your promotion just handed to someone else must be unbelievably disheartening.”

Liam didn’t know how to respond. Claire was absolutely spot on. But how? How could this woman who hardly knew him, know exactly how he felt?