CHAPTER EIGHTEEN #2
Reaching her house, my eyes rake over her driveway for Liam’s car, and my shoulders droop when I realize he isn’t here.
As if she can read my mind, Ana’s eyes find mine, but they drift down to observe my hoodie.
I pretend to be oblivious. We head inside and take off our shoes in the corner, and the elegance of this house strikes me.
Ana turns around, her hands on her hips. “Never in all my life did I think I would have you guys back in my house again.”
“Well, we’re here now, right?” Mom replies.
Ana’s arms wrap around my midsection and Mom hugs her other arm.
A solemn look comes over Ana’s face. My heart stutters at that, and I realize something.
When Liam and I . . . parted ways, I didn’t even stop to think about how that affected Ana and William.
Ana seems to notice what’s going through my head before she replaces her frown with a small smile.
“Exactly, plus I know how we can get this visit properly started.” She pulls away, looking at Mom with the smug smile her son so often likes to use with me.
“We all sit down with your infamous hot chocolate, and you catch me up.” She points toward me as Mom groans.
“You know my hot chocolate takes forever to make. Besides, you don’t have everything.”
Mom makes the accusation before Ana places a hand on her heart.
“You wound me with how unprepared you think I am.” She then smiles.
“Every ingredient is set up for you in the kitchen.” Mom’s jaw drops before shutting it.
She knows Ana’s serious, especially about hot chocolate.
The smirk deepens when she knows Mom has succumbed to her plan. “Better get to it then, Kate.”
Mom huffs, playfully annoyed, and heads in the direction of the kitchen. As she stomps off, Ana elbows me teasingly. In a low voice, she says, “I love to annoy her.”
Laughing at her comment, I make my own confession. “Me too.”
We laugh loudly at that and I wrap my arm around Ana as she leads me to the living room. She sits us down on her dark gray couch as Mom shouts, “You got the frother too?” We giggle like children as Ana sets up a little something on her TV.
We settle on some reality show, and I have to resist the urge to glance over again to make sure she’s actually here. I’m really in her house after so long. She squeezes my hand, a small smile sent my way.
“You know, I never knew why you and Mom stopped talking.” An awkward smile comes over her, and I realize she may not want to answer.
“Well, first it was getting harder to talk since you and Liam—” Her words are carried away; my face flushes and my heart aches at that.
For so long, I never understood why they stopped talking, and it was because of Liam and me?
“But don’t put that on yourself. It’s one of those things that happen.
I don’t even think about it because you’re both back, and that’s all that matters.
” She side-hugs me, and I’m envious of how Ana looks at things.
Mom walks back in after half an hour with a sour look on her face as Ana struggles to hold in her laughs.
Three mugs are on the platter she’s carrying, and she puts them down in front of us, bowing sarcastically.
“Your hot chocolate, Your Majesty.”
Ana grabs the mug that reads “The person using this cup is annoying” and brings it to her lips. She smiles at the drink, wiping the bit of cream off her upper lip.
“Just like how you used to make it,” she says, and Mom smiles back at her as she finally gets to sit.
A car revs outside, causing Ana to roll her eyes, and I hate that my head wants to look in that direction, but I play it cool.
“Oh my—Liam!”
My heart drops. The stupid handsome boy comes sauntering in, sweat prominent on his body.
He has a sheepish expression on his face as he was probably trying not to make any noise.
He’s wearing a thin gray shirt, and my jaw drops open.
I used to think my type would always be someone who was leaner, but now muscles have become a new favorite.
Wow.
His eyes widen when he sees me, and even with all the tattoos, the beads that trail down his neck are visible.
He has grease stains on his hands, and—why does that make my stomach flutter?
He wraps a small, white towel around his neck, a smirk coming on his face while I shut my mouth, taking a sip of my hot chocolate instead.
His head swivels to Ana before he forms a small pout. “Yes, Mom?”
“Amor, I thought the deal was no noise. Dad’s in a meeting right now.”
He scratches the back of his head, almost embarrassed.
“That was my bad, I opened the door and I forgot how fast the noise travels. It was hot in the garage.” He sighs.
“I’m almost done, promise.” He sounds almost boyish, like the way I remember him from so many years past. His eyes dart to me in my peripheral vision, but I don’t give him the pleasure of making eye contact.
“Okay, hurry up. You’ve been at that forever,” she says, and he gives her a salute.
He turns around, looking at Mom. “Hi, Ms. Kate.” He gives her a small smile.
“Hi, Liam. Car giving you trouble?” Mom asks, trying to be polite, and I keep sipping at my hot chocolate as my body temperature goes up.
He chuckles. “Among other things.” They look at him in confusion, but I know exactly what he means. “Nice hoodie, Bianca.”
I go red because technically he wasn’t supposed to see me wearing it. I blame it on the hot chocolate. He doesn’t say anything more, and with that, he goes back to the garage, I assume, and Ana looks back at us. “That boy is the reason for my wrinkles.”
“Well, you still look amazing, Ana,” I say, and her expression contorts into a funny face. Feeling warmer with the hot chocolate, I shift slightly and the hoodie reveals a bit more of my collarbone.
Ana gasps. “Wait a minute. Is that a tattoo?” she asks, almost excited, coming close to examine it.
I nod, forgetting the little thing. “Yeah, it’s all the planets aligned.”
“When did you get this?”
“Earlier this year when I turned eighteen.”
Mom starts laughing. “You know, I almost had a heart attack when she came home with it.”
Ana strokes it, smiling slightly. “Do you have any other ones?”
“A small sun on my hip for my dad. I’m actually planning on getting the Ursa Major constellation on the back of my shoulder.”
Her eyes shine. “Gotcha. So, you’re still into astronomy?”
“Yeah. But Ursa Major has a special connection for me.” My heart irregularly beats at the reason behind it, but I don’t dare voice it to her.
Ana pulls back. “Kate, trust me, this isn’t bad. Imagine seeing your child covered in tattoos. I almost had a heart attack.” They both start laughing, but I don’t. Personally, I think he looks beautiful.
“Talking about me, are we?”
Speak of the devil.
“Yes, all good things, Liam,” Mom says, and he has a small smile on his lips.
“Mhm. Sure, Ms. Kate.” He turns toward Ana. “I’ve gotta run to the auto parts store. I need something for my car. Can I take yours?”
Ana shakes her head. “Sorry, bud, but I have to have someone come look at both Dad’s and mine.”
Mom looks at me and smirks, and I look at her, confused. “Liam, you can take my car.”