Thirty-Eight
THIRTY-EIGHT
LIAM
T o say I’m walking on clouds is an understatement. I’ve had this stupid smile plastered on my face the whole week, since Sophie and I finally got together for real. She’s mine again. I smile to myself at the thought—mine and only mine. And I’m hers and only hers.
“Are you okay, sir?” Lilly’s saccharine voice pulls me away from my thoughts, snapping me back to the office and away from where I’d rather be—wrapped up in Sophie.
“I’m all good,” I say, already annoyed by the interruption.
“Oh, you just looked a bit lost,” she says, her head tilting, eyes scanning me in that way I’ve grown to despise. Lost? I scoff to myself. I’m the opposite of lost—I’ve finally reached my destination. I’ve finally made it back home.
“Don’t worry, Lilly,” I reply, my tone sharp enough to end the conversation. “I’m fine.”
She smiles, ignoring the edge in my voice. “Okay, well, I wanted to check what you’d like for lunch?”
I pause for a moment. “Whatever the special is at the usual place. And check what Sophie wants, too. Order something for her—she needs to eat.”
Lilly’s smile falters, but she recovers in a millisecond hiding whatever she feels about Sophie. “Sophie isn’t here. She went out with Jared a few minutes ago, probably for lunch.”
Jared? My jaw tightens, my hands clenching at my sides. Where the hell is she going with him?
I should’ve fired him when I had the chance. Should’ve made damn sure he knew exactly where he belongs. Far away from her.
Lilly hesitates as if waiting for a reaction, but I quickly wave her off, “Thanks, that’ll be all.”
The second she’s gone, I pull out my phone and shoot Sophie a text.
Me
Hey Sunshine, where are you?
My fingers tap against the table, an even-paced rhythm of impatience as I wait for her response. Within two minutes, the three dots appear, and I let out a breath.
Sunshine
I’m on my way to get some lunch with Addie.
You wanna come?
Relief flickers through me, cooling the fire in my chest—but not enough. Just to make sure, I fire off another text. Because I need to hear it from her.
Me
Is Jared with you?
Her reply comes quickly.
Sunshine
Nope. Him and Brian were going to check on lamps or something for the Spa-area. Why?
I exhale, my fingers loosening their grip on the phone. Another message buzzes, from Micah this time.
Micah
I’m close to your hotel. Let’s grab lunch.
Don’t you dare tell me you’re holed up in meetings all day. Because I don’t care.
Oh, look at that. I’m in demand today. I grin to myself as I type out my reply. Sophie first.
Me
Just wondering, I haven’t seen him.
Either way, I’m on my way. Send me the details. Can I bring a friend?
Sunshine
Casa de Sol. Of course! The more the merrier.
Perfect. I type out a quick reply to Micah. But before I can hit send, a commotion outside my office catches my attention. Raised voices, hurried footsteps—it doesn’t sound good. I push away from the desk, heading for the door when I hear Lilly.
“No! You can’t just waltz into his office like that. That’s not how it works.”
“I’m his best friend. I can do what I want. Now, please move. I don’t want to push you,” Micah counters, his voice laced with loads of amusement, completely unfazed.
“No!” she protests again, planting herself firmly in front of him like a human barricade.
I huff out a quiet laugh, shaking my head. You’ve got to give it to Lilly—she takes her job seriously. Even if it means standing toe-to-toe with my overconfident, pain-in-the-ass best friend.
“Lilly, it’s okay,” I call out, walking toward them. Her shoulders stiffen, but she reluctantly steps aside.
Micah grins when he spots me, his arms wide. “Look at you! When did you start wearing suits?” he teases, tugging at the collar of my shirt before pulling me into a hug that knocks the tension from the room.
I glance down at myself. Dark blue slacks, a crisp white dress shirt tucked in—not a full suit, but close enough.
“Fuck off,” I mutter with a smirk, giving him a light shove. “Let’s go for lunch. We’re having tapas. Lilly, please feel free to eat the lunch you ordered for me or grab whatever you want, on me.”
Micah laughs, falling into step beside me as we head toward the elevators. “Man, your assistant is terrifying. I think she actually considered tackling me back there.”
“Lilly takes her job seriously. She’d probably throw herself in front of a moving car if it meant keeping my schedule intact.”
Micah snorts. “I bet she tucks you in at night too. Reads you a bedtime story, makes sure your suits are pressed, your life perfectly in order.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help the grin tugging at my lips. “Keep talking and you’re paying for your own lunch.”
The weather has started to get a little chillier, so I’m glad the girls picked a table inside the restaurant. It’s a new place I’ve never been to before, but it feels strangely familiar, like stepping back into Barcelona. Even though I lived there for a year, I rarely had tapas. Sophie and I used to eat a lot of it, but after…it just didn’t feel the same.
The lighting is warm and dim, casting a cozy glow across the room. The walls are finished in stucco, with earthy tones that remind me of sunbaked clay, and they’re accented with stunning, intricate tiles in deep blues and golds. Flamenco art decorates the space, bold and vibrant against the textured walls. Wrought iron details frame the pieces, adding an old-world charm. It’s the kind of place that transports you and makes you forget for a moment where you are.
In the far corner, I spot them. The light streaming in through the window bathes them in a soft, golden hue. Sophie is laughing at something Addie said, her head tilted slightly, her hand resting on the table as if she’s caught mid-movement. Addie is grinning back, her gestures animated as she talks.
For a second, I just watch. The way Sophie’s face lights up when she smiles—the way she completely owns a space without even trying. She’s mesmerizing, effortlessly commanding all my attention.
Then Micah nudges me with his elbow. “You gonna keep standing here drooling over your girl, or are we going to join them?”
“Shut up,” I mutter, shaking off the moment, but I can’t help the grin tugging at my lips. Yeah, she is my girl.
“Sophie!” Micah exclaims, smiling as she gets up to hug him.
“It’s good to see you again, Micah,” Sophie says warmly, pulling back but keeping a hand on his arm like they’re old friends catching up.
Adeline does a double take, her brows pulling together as she squints. “Wait…is Micah real?”
Micah places a hand over his heart in mock offense. “Damn. Why does everyone think I’m your imaginary friend, man?”
I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “Yes, he’s real. Micah, meet Adeline. Adeline, meet my very real, very annoying friend, Micah.”
“His best friend,” Micah adds, casting me a side-eye before extending a hand.
Adeline smiles brightly, standing to shake it. “Nice to meet you, Micah.”
Micah smirks, holding onto her hand a beat longer than necessary, his expression laced with charm and curiosity. “Pleasure’s all mine,” he says smoothly.
Adeline blinks, her smile faltering for half a second before she recovers, slipping her hand free. She sits back down, but there’s a slight flush on her cheeks that I don’t miss.
Sophie settles into her seat, and we ease into the cozy corner table—Sophie across from me, Adeline across from Micah. He’s watching her like she’s the most interesting thing in the room.
Sophie nudges the menus toward us, a knowing glint in her eyes. “We ordered a ton of food,” she says. “But if there’s anything else you want, feel free to add to it.”
I barely glance at the menu before closing it. “No need. I trust your judgment.”
Micah follows suit. “Same here. Besides, I’m starving. Bring it on.”
The conversation flows easily as we wait for the food. The girls exchange stories about work, Sophie laughing as she recounts an incident where someone accidentally sent an email to the entire office. But then Adeline leans forward with a dramatic groan, waving a hand in the air.
“There’s this new colleague,” she begins, her voice dripping with frustration, ”and I swear, they’re going to drive me insane.”
Sophie snorts. “What happened this time?”
Adeline throws up her hands. “Let’s just say they believe meetings are meant for monologues. Thirty minutes in, and they’re still talking without a single pause. What’s worse is that every meeting could’ve been an email.”
“Sounds like a gem. Speaking of gems. How’s the book coming along?” I ask, excitement for her bubbling up.
Her reaction is immediate—her eyes snap to mine, sharp and murderous, her lips pressed into a tight line. This time, it slipped out, it was an accident and I feel a twinge of guilt. Adeline hates mentioning that she’s an author to new people, and this time, it’s on me. How do I change the subject?
“Ouch!” Micah jerks, his hand flying to his shin. “What the hell?”
He glares at Adeline, who blinks up at him with wide, innocent eyes, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
“What was what?” she asks, feigning innocence as she sips her water.
“Did you just kick me?” he accuses, his voice incredulous.
She leans back in her chair, feigning nonchalance as she crosses her arms. The shocked girl gone. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He leans forward, staring her down. “You absolutely did. That was a direct hit. You’ve got surprisingly good aim for someone so sweet and innocent-looking.”
Sophie snorts into her drink, trying to cover her laughter, and I can’t hold back a chuckle.
Adeline shoots me a murderous glare, her blush deepening. “This is your fault, Liam.”
“After kicking me, you absolutely owe me some information now,” Micah says, his curiosity piqued.
“She’s an author,” Sophie chimes in helpfully, her grin so wide it practically glows. ”And an amazing one at that.”
Adeline groans, her head falling into her hands. “You’re all terrible people.”
Micah’s face lights up as he leans forward, grinning. “Seriously? That’s very impressive. What kind? Mysteries? Thrillers?”
Adeline tilts her head, like she’s debating whether to answer—or maybe to just mess with him. Before she can, Sophie cuts in smoothly.
“Romance,” she says. “The kind that would make you blush, Micah.”
Micah’s grin stretches even wider as he leans back in his chair, clearly reveling in her discomfort. “Really? Tell me more. What kind of blush are we talking about?”
Adeline lets out a long, dramatic groan. Not able to keep up the act, “I’m going to kill you all.”
“See, now I really want to read one," Micah teases, his grin never faltering. “Do your characters kick people under tables too, or is that just you?”
Adeline glares at him, but there’s a glimmer of amusement in her eyes now. “Only when they deserve it.”
He leans over the table. “So…is this your way of flirting with me? Because I gotta say, it’s working.”
She freezes, her mouth opening and closing like she’s searching for a comeback—but nothing comes out. It isn’t often that Adeline is stunned. Not many people can throw her off like this.
And if I could record this moment? I would.
“You wish,” Adeline finally mutters, her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of pink.
“I don’t know, Adeline. You might have just inspired me to believe in happily-ever-afters after all.”
She grabs a scrunched-up napkin and throws it at him, her aim impressively precise as it bounces off his chest. Micah clutches it dramatically, pretending he’s been mortally wounded. Meanwhile, Sophie is practically doubled over, tears of laughter streaming down her face.
We all end up laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of Micah, his antics impossible not to enjoy. But between bites of the delicious food—because, of course, Sophie and Adeline’s picks were spot on—I notice something. Every now and then, Micah sneaks a glance at Adeline. It’s subtle like he’s trying not to be obvious, but I see it. Is this how I look when I sneak glances at Sophie? No, who am I kidding—I’m anything but subtle. I practically burn holes into her with my stare. The obsession I have for her? It’s on another level entirely.
And Adeline, for all her attempts to keep her head down and avoid his teasing, seems to notice too. The faint pink in her cheeks hasn’t quite faded, and she shifts a little whenever their eyes meet like she’s not entirely sure how to handle the attention.
Sophie catches me watching them and raises an eyebrow. I shrug, silently filing this little observation away for later. Whatever’s happening here, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Micah follows Sophie and me back to the hotel—I promised him a little tour, and he’s not one to pass up an opportunity to see new spaces and their design. Adeline had to leave, needing to get back to work, and she practically bolted out of the restaurant with a face so red it could’ve rivaled the flamenco art on the walls. Why? Because Micah couldn’t help himself and Googled her, loudly reading out the blurb of one of her novels in the middle of lunch.
Micah might be cheeky and flirty, but he has his serious side too. As a boss, he’s tough but fair, demanding excellence from his team because he sets that standard for himself. And in the ring? He’s even more intense, relentless, and focused—a side of him not everyone gets to see. But right now, the teasing of Micah is in full swing.
In the lobby, Sophie excuses herself to speak with Brian and, unfortunately, the worm Jared. My gaze follows her for a moment before Micah sidles up to me, his voice dropping low so no one hears.
“So…is Adeline single?”
I pause, studying him. “Yeah, I think so. Why?”
He shrugs, his expression neutral, but I catch the flicker of interest in his eyes. “Just wondering.”
“Micah,” I warn, my tone dropping as I fold my arms. “You know I love you, and you’re one of the best people I know. But right now? You’re in a bad situation and you might work with her dad. It wouldn’t be a good idea to start something.”
He nods, his usual grin slipping for a moment. “I know,” he says quietly, his voice more serious than I expected. “I’m not planning anything. Just…curious.”
I nod, deciding to let it drop for now. But something tells me Micah’s curiosity might turn into something more complicated if he’s not careful.
“Come on,” I say, steering him away from Sophie and the worm Jared. “Let me show you the terrace and the new spa updates before you start poking your nose into more trouble.”