Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
LIAM
A ir. I need air. As in oxygen. Lots of it. Right now.
I can’t look at Andie. Not yet. But I can’t walk away and leave her standing here on the dance floor, either. Not after that kiss. A kiss that left me dazed and feeling like a lost golf ball in high cotton.
Our kiss was meant to send a message to Derek that Andie is no longer available or interested. To sell the idea that she has moved on, that she and I are more than friends. Judging by the look on his face when we broke the kiss? Message received. Loud and clear.
I’m not gonna lie, it brought me a lot of satisfaction to see the smug look obliterated from his face. Because, oh yeah, he was definitely watching. His expression seethed with disbelief, anger, and if I’m not mistaken, a bit of betrayal and sadness. But mostly anger. And I’m one hundred percent okay with that.
I mean, the heat blazing in his puny eyes? I half expect the man to call me out right here on the dance floor. Part of me wishes he would. It might give me an outlet to channel my energy before doing something next-level dumb, like dragging Andie out of here and continuing that kiss somewhere more private. Fortunately, my sanity returned before taking our kiss that far.
But only barely.
I’m not sure what came over me. One minute I was thinking, This won’t be awkward. I’ve kissed lots of beautiful women. And this is Andie. It won’t be weird at all. Next thing I knew, those thoughts morphed into something quantifiably different, because let me tell you, kissing Andie was neither awkward nor weird. It was undeniably the hottest kiss of my life–and not to brag, but that’s saying something.
My fists clench at my sides, and I realize Andie is waiting for me to say something, do something. But what? The moment is absurdly unique because I’m literally at a loss for words–my brain rendered inoperative and utterly useless.
All as a result of a kiss. No. Not a kiss. Her kiss.
A kiss that made my toes curl in my shoes and my knees weaken.
A kiss that turned my mind to complete and absolute mush.
A kiss that ignited a blaze deep in my belly, and did something funny inside my chest.
Reaching one hand to the back of my neck, I finally dare to meet Andie’s gaze, and the confusion on her face–and something else I can’t identify–jumpstarts my lifeless brain. I need to fix this. Like, now. Because if Andie and I don’t walk off the dance floor together, Derek will suspect something’s off.
“Andie,” I manage to say. Good job, Liam. You got her name right on the first try. Well done, dude. Andie wraps her hand around my clenched fist, and the reassuring feel of her fingers covering mine makes me relax a little.
She must take pity on me because she says, “I’m thirsty. Let’s go grab a drink.”
Adjusting our hands, I thread my fingers through hers and allow her to lead me off the dance floor.
After drinking two bottles of water in unusual silence, we find a table away from the main crowd. I pull Andie’s chair out for her and sit beside her.
Releasing a deep breath, I allow my gaze to meet Andie’s and immediately feel the need to reach up and loosen my tie, which I shouldn’t do because people might get the wrong idea. And by people, I mean my grandmother and my parents. But then, I think I’ve met my quota of should and should-nots for the evening, so I say to heck with it and give my tie a sharp tug.
Andie shakes her head and with a soft laugh, says, “And you were worried about me freaking out? Settle down, Liam. It was just a kiss.”
Just a kiss?
“It’s not like it was our first kiss.” She places her hand on my arm. “We’re okay, right?”
She looks worried, but I’m still tripping over the words just a kiss .
“Liam?”
“Right. I mean, yeah, of course,” I say, trying to shake some sense into my head. What is wrong with me? I don’t get flustered. Not since my second date with Nell a few years ago when she stuffed me into the friend zone. But even that wasn’t anything like what I’m experiencing tonight.
“We’re good. Better than good. We’re great. So great.”
“Exactly! No need for either of us to freak out. We’ve known each other far too long to let a single kiss get in the way of our friendship, right?”
“Right.” I nod.
I think I know what Andie’s doing, and I silently bless the stars for her ability to think straight right now. Because I certainly can’t.
Continuing to nod my head like a bobble-headed-dork, I say, “This doesn’t change a thing between us.”
Something flashes in Andie’s expression, but it quickly disappears, leaving me wondering what she’s hiding. Maybe she’s not unaffected by the kiss after all.
Fixing my gaze on her, I give her a pointed look. “That is what you want, isn’t it? For nothing to change between us?”
Curiosity brims her rich brown eyes, along with the faintest hint of a thought she’s either afraid or unwilling to voice. And suddenly, I’m consumed by the need to know what the thought is.
Did she feel the same explosive spark I felt? It was similar to the feeling I experienced the first time we kissed in high school, only…more. So much more. Could she sense the hiss and pop of energy that ignited a longing both familiar and at the same time, new? Would that same longing be there if we kissed again?
Because against all my better judgment, I really want to kiss her again. Like now. And definitely not on a dance floor where curious onlookers can watch. No. I want to taste every inch of her swollen, pink lips. Explore every inch of her mouth with my tongue–
But I’m getting way ahead of myself, right? Because kissing her again wouldn’t be wise. Would it?
Before Andie can answer, we’re interrupted by a cold voice iced with anger.
“It was all a lie, then?” Derek stands next to Andie, his arms folded, and murder in his expression. His words are clipped and laced with venom. “All those times you said you and this clown were nothing more than friends? You just conveniently failed to clarify that your friendship ,” he spits the word as if it leaves a rancid taste in his mouth, “came with benefits.”
“It wasn’t like that, Derek,” Andie says, her jaw tight. “Cheating is your thing, not mine.”
You tell him, Andie.
“Look, I admitted I made some mistakes.” His voice begins to escalate. “How many times do I have to freaking apologize? I was stupid, okay? I’m not too proud to own it, but I swear none of it meant anything.”
Andie’s hand tightens around my arm. “Maybe it meant nothing to you, Derek, and possibly, it meant nothing to those other women. But by all the hosts of heaven it sure as heck meant something to me.”
Derek’s scoff is coupled with a harsh laugh. “What, and you think this guy’s any better?” He points his finger at me. “Have you forgotten why you guys didn’t get back together after college? We’re men, Andie. We’re wired differently than women. Men aren’t meant to be monogamous.”
“You and Liam are nothing alike,” Andie says cooly, and I’m grateful for her vote of confidence in me, that she’s willing to defend my character. But what does he mean by why we didn’t get back together after college? What has Andie told him?
“Do you really think you’re special? That you can hold a man’s attention and manage to keep his eyes from roaming? Be real, Andie. It doesn’t work that way.”
I scoot my chair back and stand. Derek and I are similar in height and build, but unlike Derek, I know my way around a fight. And right now, my fists are itching to hit something. Or someone. But I promised Andie I wouldn’t engage Derek tonight, so here we are. “I think you’d better leave.”
“Mind your own business, Graham.”
“Andie is my business,” I growl.
“This is between her and me,” Derek says, squaring off in a challenge.
Please, Andie? Just one punch to wipe that irritating smirk off his face .
A gentle touch on my arm pulls my attention away from Derek. I look down and watch as Andie’s fingers trail up and down my forearm. “Liam,” she says quietly. “Let’s go check out the silent auction. ”
Bless this woman.
I bend down and brush a feather-like kiss to Andie’s lips. Despite this kiss being so brief, the electricity is still present. What is this bewitching magic she possesses? I don’t know, but pretending she and I are more than friends is either the most dangerous idea I’ve ever had, or one of the most brilliant ones, because let me tell you, I could easily make a habit out of kissing Andie.
“I just want to speak to you alone,” Derek pleads. I had almost forgotten the pathetic loser was still standing there.
“Derek,” Andie says, “you and I have nothing to discuss. And whatever it is you think you have to say, you can either say it in front of Liam, or not at all. It’s your call.”
Derek’s gaze darts between Andie and me. Lifting his palms, he says, “It can wait. Because this,” he waves his hand between Andie and me, “will never last, and I think you know it. This guy doesn’t know the meaning of commitment.”
With that, Andie slides her hand in mine and we turn to leave. We’ve only taken a few steps when Derek’s voice trails from behind, “I’ll be here to pick up the pieces when he breaks your heart, Andie. And you and I both know he will.”
Andie doesn’t look back, but her steps falter at Derek’s words. The infinitesimally brief moment of hesitation leaves an acrid feeling deep in my gut. Once again I remind myself that tonight is meant to be for show. Pretend.
Why then, does my chest ache?
And why in the blazes do I want to press Andie up against a wall and kiss her until we both lose our minds?
Andie and I make it through the next hour of the benefit without any further drama from Derek, though his menacing glare tracks our every movement, even from a distance. I’m getting some strange stalker vibes from him, despite Andie’s assurance that Derek isn’t the type to stalk a woman. The obsessive way he continues to stare at Andie, however, keeps me on edge. So much so, that when she excuses herself to use the ladies’ room, I’m tempted to follow her. Instead, I opt to stay put, where I can keep my eyes on Derek. If he so much as taps his foot in her direction, I’ll be there to intercept him.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” my grandmother’s voice surprises me. “When you’re not scowling at Derek, that is.”
“Hey Grams,” I bend down and kiss her cheek. “You’re looking gorgeous as usual.”
“Don’t be droll, Liam.” Grams pats my cheek and nods her chin in Derek’s direction. “Isn’t he supposed to have a girlfriend?”
“He claims he doesn’t.”
“I see,” Grams nods knowingly. “And now he wants Andie back.”
I shrug. “It appears that way.”
“How does Andie feel about that?”
I reach up to loosen my tie, only to recall it’s already been loosened. Why does it feel so damned hot in here? “You can ask her yourself when she returns from the ladies’ room.”
“I’ll do that,” she says, giving me a pointed look. “How do you feel about it?”
I snort a laugh. “Like I want to hit something.”
Grams’ eyebrows raise and she stifles a grin. Her eyes sparkle with mischief. “Hmm.”
Sometimes, when she looks at me like this, it’s like looking in a mirror. Grams tells me all the time I got my handsome looks and my naughty streak from Grandpa, but I inherited some distinct mannerisms from Grams–certain expressions or the way we smile or sometimes just the crinkle around our eyes.
Some men may shudder to be compared with their grandmother but for me, it’s a badge of honor I wear proudly. Grams is a force to be reckoned with. She’s shrewd, and intelligent in a way that is equally street smart and book smart. She’s also fiercely protective of the people she cares about, and I’m fortunate enough to be one of them.
I’ve never seen my grandmother take someone down with her fist, but I’ve witnessed her level the strongest of men with a single look.
“You and Andie looked pretty cozy out there on the dance floor,” Grams says, still trying to stifle the grin I inherited. “Especially when the DJ played Friends and Lovers .” She nudges my arm with her elbow and winks at me.
Okay. So what. So what if my grandmother saw me make out with Andie. It’s fine. Fine. Nothing awkward about that, right? Totally normal.
The heat of a flush rises up my neck, and I’m searching for something, anything, I might say to change the subject. Unfortunately, Grams isn’t ready to let the subject drop.
“That was some kiss.”
I shake my head and avoid my grandmother’s gaze, which can see through steel walls. “It was fake, Grams. Andie and I are pretending to be a couple tonight to send a message to Derek that she has moved on and is off limits.”
“Mm hmm. Well, I think he got the message. In fact, the entire room got the message. It definitely lit a fire under Derek’s butt.”
I chuckle. “I guess.”
Grams pats my arm. “Liam, dear, I’m almost 80 years old.”
“Impossible,” I shake my head at her and kiss her cheek. “You could easily pass for someone in their 50s.”
“I think some of the cheese has slid off your cracker, dear, but thank you for the compliment, you nutty charmer.”
“I mean it, Grams. You look and act so much younger than you are. You inspire me. ”
“Now that we’ve established how amazing I am, let’s circle back to that kiss you and Andie shared.”
“Ugh!” I groan. “Can we not talk about it? Please?”
In typical grandmother fashion, Grams ignores me and plows forward. “You can tell yourself it was just for show, but I’m no fool, and neither are you. That kiss got very real. Right up until you jumped away from Andie, looking shell-shocked.”
I’m not sure how to respond to that, because I sure as hell am not going to discuss kissing Andie with my grandmother. But, “Shell-shocked?”
“Good gracious, Liam, you jumped away from her so fast it was as if you’d touched hot coals or something.”
I suddenly find my shoes very interesting. “It took me by surprise, that’s all. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t…that.”
“You felt the zing thing , didn’t you?”
“No.”
Yes.
“Yes, you did.”
“No, I didn’t.”
I so did.
I must have because there’s no other explanation. It wasn’t that I’d been burned by hot coals, it was more like being stunned by some powerful electrical current–like being tased, only it wasn’t painful. It was pleasant. Really pleasant.
Yes, it’s possible I’ve been tased before. Let’s move on.
“You can be both, you know,” Grams says when I don’t answer her.
“Both what?”
“Friends and lovers.”
My face is officially on fire. “Grams! Stop! I’m not talking about this with you.”
My grandmother laughs. “All humor aside, Liam, don’t think for one minute that Derek, or some other man, won’t pursue Andie. She’s the type of woman men pursue, the type they’re willing to fight for. The type they marry.”
The type of woman men build white picket fences for.
I scoff. “No kidding. Men have been checking her out all evening.”
“Of course, they have. Look at her. She’s stunning.”
I nod. “She’s perfect.”
“But you’ve got something none of these other men has.”
I’m almost afraid to ask, but it seems my mouth is acting on its own. “And what’s that?”
“History.”
My brows lift in a silent question.
“Don’t underestimate the power of the history you two share.”
I scratch the back of my neck and shake my head. “I appreciate what you’re saying, Grams, but you and I both know I’m not relationship material.”
“I call hogwash on you!” Grams waves her index finger at me. “I’d say something worse if we weren’t standing in a public place. The only reason you’re not in a relationship is because you’re afraid.”
“Grams, I’m not in a relationship because I enjoy women too much to settle down with just one.”
“That’s a giant-size load of pig manure, Liam. If you believe that about yourself, then you’re as crazy as a soup sandwich. And if you don’t think that’s crazy, then just try and eat one with your fingers.”
I can’t stop the laugh that escapes. “Ah, Grams!” I pull her into a side hug. “You always know just what to say to make me smile.”
“Don’t you dare try to work your wiles on me!” She swats at my chest. “I have one more thing to say about Andie, and then I promise I’ll let the matter drop.”
“Don’t make promises you know you won’t keep,” I tease .
“The way I see it, you and Andie don’t want to do anything that might put your friendship at risk.”
“Exactly. We–”
“But,” she interrupts, cutting me off with a single raised finger, “face it, Liam, you gave Andie your heart fifteen years ago, and I’d bet my last square dime she still owns it. I suspect that’s why you’ve been flitting from woman to woman all these years.”
Alex said pretty much the same thing.
“That’s ancient history, Grams. Andie and I are just friends. She made that abundantly clear right after the kiss you witnessed earlier. To her, and these are her exact words, ‘It was just a kiss.’ So you see? Friends.”
Grams shakes her head. “I know what I saw, Liam. My guess is Andie said what she said because of the way you freaked out. She played it safe by trying to put your mind at ease.”
Grams smiles as if recalling something from her past. “Know what I think?” It’s a rhetorical question, so she doesn’t wait for me to answer. “The two of you are not in each other’s friend zone. You’re in each other’s safe zone.”
She waits to see if I contradict her, but I don’t. I can’t.
“What if there was a way to stay in the safe zone while testing the relationship waters?”
“And how, exactly, do you propose we do that?” I sigh, wondering where Andie is. She’s been gone way too long.
“Simple,” Grams says. “Ask Andie to be your fake girlfriend.”
“I’m sorry, my what?”
“Your fake girlfriend. You know, pretend you’re a couple like you’re doing tonight. Just keep doing it.”
“Okay, first of all, have you fallen off your granny rocker? Second, exactly how is pretending to date each other supposed to keep us in each other’s safe zone?”
“You really should watch more Hallmark movies, Liam.”
I roll my eyes at her. “Yeah, that ain’t happening. ”
“All I’m suggesting is that you attend events together. Be seen around town together. The timing’s perfect, because of this year’s spring season lineup. The Department of Real Estate banquet is in two weeks, then the Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual spring carnival and extravaganza. If you and Andie pretend to be dating through the season, it will be like testing the waters to see how a real relationship might feel. Neither of you are seeing anyone, so there’s nothing to lose.”
I’m shaking my head, when my mom’s words float back to me–the ones about Andie never getting over me. She can’t be right, or Andie wouldn’t have said our kiss earlier was just a kiss. Right? But now the seed has been planted, I can feel the wheels in my mind already beginning to spin.
“No need to answer, dear. Just give it some thought.”
“Let’s say we were to do this–presuming I can persuade Andie to play along–what happens if one of us wants it to be real, but the other is only pretending? That would destroy our friendship.” I shake my head. “It’s not worth the risk. My friendship with Andie is too important to me.”
Grams gives me an understanding smile and pats my arm. “Like I said, no need to answer. Just something to think about. But you should at least run it by Andie and see what she thinks.”
“Run what by me?” Andie says from behind me.
“Nothing,” I say at the same time Grams says, “Fake dating.”
Andie looks between me and Grams. “Um, explain, please.”
“Grams has this hair-brain idea that you and I should pretend to date for the next two months.”
Confusion causes Andie’s brows to pull together. “Why would we do that?”
I’m as perplexed by my grandmother’s suggestion as Andie is, but for some reason, her reply feels like a punch to my gut.
“Just hear me out,” Grams says.
Andie lifts a brow and stifles a smile. “Liam said those same words to me, which is how we ended up here. ”
“Nice work, Liam,” Grams says, rewarding me with an approving grin. She focuses her gaze back on Andie and continues. “It was a brilliant idea–not something I often say where Liam’s concerned.”
“Hey,” I complain, as Andie laughs.
Granny pinches my cheek. And she’s not gentle about it, but it elicits another laugh from Andie, and for reasons I cannot explain, that makes it worth it.
“So, getting back to the fake dating thing,” Andie says as her brows arch upward. “You were saying?”
“A couple of our board members expressed their approval at seeing Liam and you together tonight, and whether we like it or not, their approval is important when it comes to Liam becoming the head of the company soon. They need to see the future CEO as someone serious about his future as a family man, rather than see him continue a pattern of moving from one non-committed relationship to another.”
Grams takes a deep breath and places her hand on Andie’s arm. “You, dear, are a woman of substance. You understand the vision and mission of the Graham dynasty, and you’ve proven your stability and ability to commit to a long-term relationship.”
I roll my eyes with a chuckle. “Maybe the board should appoint Andie to the position.”
“Don’t be flippant, Liam,” Grams scolds. “The current Board of Directors and our executive committee need to feel confident that not only will the company continue with its high standards of professionalism, but that the future CEO shares the same sense of family values.”
“Liam’s work ethic and professionalism are stellar,” Andie says, defending my character for the second time this evening. “Everyone counts on him. He knows more about the ins and outs of the company than anyone.”
Andie’s words do something unexpected to me. A warmth spreads in my chest, and if I’m not mistaken, a similar warmth is spreading up my neck and through the backs of my ears like a slow-burning flame.
“Is that really how people see me?” I ask Andie.
“Absolutely,” she says without hesitation. “The people I–”
“Andie,” Grams interrupts. “Nobody is questioning Liam’s professionalism and work ethic. That’s why he’s moved up as quickly as he has in the company. Otherwise, we wouldn’t need to have this conversation. It’s his reputation as a…” she cocks her head from side to side and purses her lips. “How do I put this politely? Liam, your dating habits…they…make it look like you’re hungrier than a tic on a teddy bear.”
Andie bellows out a laugh, and the way her eyes dance brings another grin to my face, despite knowing I’m the brunt of the joke. “Good one, Grams,” Andie says approvingly. I’d be offended, but a) my grandmother is hilarious, and b) she’s not exactly wrong in her assessment of my dating habits. She must not be aware of the fact that I haven’t been on a date since my screw-up at the gala a few weeks ago. Not since I saw the disappointment in her face that night and knew I was the cause of it.
“That’s a big part of why you and Liam fake dating each other for the rest of the spring season would be a good thing. Maybe the board would get over what happened the night of the gala.”
There it is.
“Andie, dear,” Grams rests her hand on Andie’s arm. “It’s not only Liam who will benefit. You will, too. Unless there’s someone else you’re interested in?”
My gaze snaps to Andie’s. She already admitted to me that she wasn’t interested in anyone. That couldn’t have changed in the past two weeks, right? Still, I’m relieved when Andie shakes her head and says, “No.”
“Then, it’s final. The two of you will attend the spring line-up together, as boyfriend and girlfriend. Fake , boyfriend and girlfriend,” she quickly clarifies. “Be seen around town, maybe attend some family get-togethers, you know, do all the things a real couple might do.”
“And then what?” Andie asks. “We just pretend to break up? And then stop being friends? ‘Cuz that would really suck.”
“I agree,” I say, grateful Andie and I are on the same page. “We don’t want to do anything that hurts our friendship. Andie’s too important to me, to risk that.”
Andie smiles. “I feel the same way about you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Grams says, waving her hand at Andie and me. “That’s the best part of the whole plan.”
“I’m not quite following,” Andie says skeptically.
Grams gives us a conspirator’s grin. “The two of you are already the best of friends. You decided to give the friends-to-lovers thing a try, and in the end, you both agreed you’re better off as friends. The world rights itself, your friendship stays intact, and you both are free to move on and date other people once the spring line-up concludes.”
Andie looks at me and shrugs. “It’s not a horrible idea.” Her face breaks into a teasing grin. “It beats forcing Layton into being my fake boyfriend.”
The thought of Layton being Andie’s anything, fake or otherwise, makes the hairs of my neck stand on edge. I don’t want him anywhere near her. He’d be so good at pretending to care about her, she’d probably fall head-over-heels in love with him, and then he’d destroy her by breaking her heart. The very suggestion makes me want to growl. And possibly hit something. Layton’s pretty face comes to mind.
“Simmer down, Liam,” Grams says. “It isn’t Layton’s reputation I’m trying to save. It’s yours. So, what do you say? Are the two of you on board with Operation Fake-N-Date?”
Andie tosses her head back and laughs. “Operation what-n-what?”
“Operation Fake-N-Date. It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
“It’s catchy,” Andie says with a lifted shoulder.
“So, we’re agreed?” Grams asks.
“Just a minute, Grams,” I say, thinking back to my original concern before Andie joined our conversation. “What happens if one of us becomes uncomfortable with the arrangement? What then?”
Andie tilts her head to one side as if only now considering this possibility.
“No problem. If one of you wants out, the deal’s off,” Grams answers. Andie and I share a look and give each other a side nod, but a moment later, a look of concern crosses Andie’s face.
“Grams,” Andie says, “what if people talk? Addison has promised to recommend me for a promotion if the Landmark project makes it to fruition. What if people assume I got the promotion because I’m sleeping with the boss?”
I nearly choke on the air around me as my mouth gapes open.
Sleeping with the boss?
“Relax Liam. I’m not suggesting we would sleep with each other, only that people are going to assume we are.”
Okay, full disclosure here. It’s not the idea of sleeping with Andie that made me nearly pass out from a lack of oxygen. It was hearing the words fall from her lips that stunned me. And now that she has put the image out in the universe I’m going to have a deuced difficult time unseeing it. Holy peanut butter and bananas (as Andie would say), I’m suddenly sweating like a sinner in church.
Grams gives Andie a reassuring smile. “I’ve already considered that, Andie. I told Addison I’ll back her in recommending you for the promotion. You can bet I’ll go to bat for you with the board, not that I’ll need to. The board already admires you and recognizes how valuable you are to the company.”
Andie’s face relaxes. “Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me. ”
“Children, if we all play our cards right, you’ll both come through the season grinin’ like possums eat’n sweet ‘taters.”
It’s an hour after I’ve gone to bed and drifted off to sleep, when my eyes suddenly fly open. What does Grams mean by all three of us playing our cards right? How does she benefit from Operation Fake-N-Date?