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“But would you want a serious relationship with her?”

What was this, Poirot? He rubbed both hands up and down his beard. “It doesn’t matter what I want because I don’t have time with my job.”

Mum nodded, taking another sip of her drink. “Won’t you have more time, now that you didn’t get the promotion?”

His eyes snapped to hers. Had Claire told her? No, she wouldn’t have broken her promise.

Mum gave him a knowing look. “It was obvious, Liam. You haven’t been willing or able to take a day off of work for years. The only reason you would have done so was to get away from the disappointment you felt there.”

His shoulders fell. He thought he’d kept up the façade so well. He should’ve known his mum would see straight through him. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

“For what?”

“For not telling you earlier. For not getting the promotion. For being such a disappointment.”

To his surprise, she laughed out loud. “Liam, that is the stupidest thing you’ve ever said.”

He pulled back. “Thank you?”

She lowered her mug. “First of all, you don’t need to apologize for not being ready to share something with me. Second of all, you could never be a disappointment. And third of all, you should never apologize for the stupidity of that company in not seeing your own value. What you should be apologizing for is staying with that company.”

Her words sank deep into his chest, joining the conversation he’d had with Claire, as well as the countless words he’d told himself over the last few years.

Why did he stay with the company? No, he didn’t want to give up all the years he’d put in there. But shouldn’t he be putting time now into something he actually wanted to be doing, like Claire suggested?

“So,” Mum pressed, “are you going to stay with them, then?”

Liam sighed, his mind swimming with confusion. “I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know.”

It seemed pointless to stay at Peregrine now. Especially after the last few days he’d spent away. He’d felt alive for the first time in years, though he wasn’t sure how much of that was time away from work and how much of it was being with Claire. Either way, that had to be some sort of sign, right?

“I just…” He hesitated, his mum still watching him. “It’s a big change to jump careers. To give up stability for the unknown. I just don’t know if I’m ready for it.”

His mum finished off the last of her drink, leaning toward Liam with a soft smile. “If you ask me, even talking about changing careers is a good indication of being ready for it. But it’s you who has to decide when to take that first step.” She stood, patting him on his cheek in a loving gesture. “Whatever you do, I’m proud of you, Liam. And so is your father.”

She smiled again, then placed her mug in the kitchen before excusing herself to get ready for the day.

Liam sat still for a moment, his thoughts rushing about his mind like a four-lane roundabout. His mum was right. He was the only one who could decide to take that first step. But what if it was a half-step in the direction he wanted to end up? That was safer, right?

Before he could talk himself out of it, he pulled up his laptop and typed out a quick email to his boss.

Garrett,

After the disappointing news of not receiving the promotion I’d been promised for years, I have come to realize the company does not value my efforts as much as I once thought. As such, I am requesting part-time employment beginning at the new year. If that is not possible, I might be willing to consider freelancing for Peregrine Productions instead, as it will allow me more time to pursue other venues where I am more valued.

Thank you for your time,

Liam Everhart

After a quick read-through with sweaty palms, Liam hit ‘send.’ Instead of the fear he’d expected to swarm his chest, light filled his heart.

Garrett could either accept his request or sack him. And honestly, at this point, Liam didn’t mind either option. He was finished living the way he had for years. He was ready for freedom.

And if he just so happened to have more time to spend with a certain American girl who was staying at his house for the next week, then so be it.

TWENTY-SEVEN

To Claire’s relief and utter shock, Melody acted perfectly normal around her and Liam as they decorated the tree with Tasha the following morning. There were no lingering glances from Melody, no winks, smiles, or baited questions—but then, there shouldn’t be. Claire had made it clear the night before that she and Liam would never be together.