Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
H er brilliant plan to find another developer was going swimmingly.
Not.
“You really don’t know anyone else?” Wood piled high in her arms, she trailed Uncle Seb from the side of his house toward the pit where he, Cody, and some of the men of the town were preparing for the bonfire. It was the perfect night for it—a darkening velvet sky, slight glimmers of the northern lights playing coy with them all, and cold enough to need blankets, cocoa, and a fire, but not so freezing as to make them miserable.
But as much as Dani loved community events like this—when the town came together with food, songs, and laughter—tonight she had other things on her mind.
Like how to get another developer in here, stat, since she’d maybe fired Liam too quickly.
She’d tried doing research on her own all of yesterday afternoon and today on top of her other town duties, but she just simply didn’t have the contacts that Uncle Seb did.
When she got to the firepit, she dropped her pile of wood and dusted her hands off on her jeans. “Please, Uncle Seb. Try to think.” She tried to keep her voice low because townsfolk had already started to gather around the pit with their camping chairs. Children ran across her uncle and aunt’s expansive lawn, through the grassy knoll, and onward toward the shore in the direction of the lighthouse.
As new families pulled their golf carts into the yard, women and men carried Crockpots and trays up the front porch steps. There would be quite the spread tonight, and with nothing else going on, there would be a lot of townsfolk in attendance.
Not Liam, though. There had been at least three ferries out since their meeting at the park yesterday, and no doubt he’d been on one of them.
Seb frowned and tugged the knit cap from his head. He scratched behind his ear. “Dani, I’m sorry. I exhausted my contacts during our first round of searching. I told you, we were lucky to get the Stones’ firm.” He replaced the cap on his head and took off for more wood.
Dani rushed after him. “But what if this time, you focused on finding a firm that specializes in refurbishing and restoring historical landmarks? That’s who we really need on the job.”
“Dani.” Her uncle stopped in front of the neatly stacked wood pile and turned to face her. Despite the dim light, she knew the look he was giving her. Pity. And she despised it. It made her feel like a victim, but she wasn’t a victim. She was responsible for this whole mess in the first place—at least, the scattering of her family. And she was finally doing something to fix it. Didn’t he understand that?
“What?” Her chin trembled, but she lifted it anyway. Seb the businessman admired strength, didn’t he? But maybe in her brokenness, she was too weak for this battle.
Her uncle sighed and pulled her in for an unexpected hug. At first, Dani stiffened, but then she melted and let his arms embrace her the way her dad’s hadn’t in a while because he wasn’t here.
But she wouldn’t cry. No. She wouldn’t.
Finally, Uncle Seb pulled back, placed his hands on her shoulders, and looked her straight in the eyes. “The reality is that the hotel will never again be what it once was.”
His words…they didn’t compute. “What do you mean? Isn’t that the whole point of all of this?” To restore what had been.
“No. The point is to build a large enough hotel to house temporary island staff and guests who want to visit Jonathon Island. Honestly, if it was up to me alone, I’d demolish it all and start fresh.” As Dani started to protest, he held up a hand. “But I would never allow that, because I know what that place means to you. And I can recognize that it’s important to maintain some historical integrity for the island’s sake. But that doesn’t change the fact that it can never be exactly what it was. It can be just as good, maybe better. But time and progress don’t stand still.”
“That’s basically what Liam told me yesterday.” Dani folded her arms over her chest and felt her shoulders deflate.
“He’s a smart kid.” Someone called for Seb, and he peeked around her. “I’ve got to go help get things started. Just try to work with Liam again, all right? Give the boy a chance. He might surprise you.” Then he strode away, leaving Dani feeling numb and alone.
And too late.
She’d have to find a way to tell Seb—and the whole council—about firing him. Or find a way to ask him back.
But the last thing she wanted to do was grovel for his help.
“Dad’s right, you know.”
She turned to find Mia standing there, hands on her hips and head cocked. From beside her, Finn and Maggie shot away, zooming off in the direction of the dock, where Nora was watching some of the kids skip rocks across the surface of the lake.
Dani’s eyebrows raised as her cousin approached her side. “Did you just admit your father is right?”
“If you ever tell him I said so, I’ll deny it.”
They walked together down the gentle sloping grass toward the shoreline. “What’s he right about, exactly?”
“You should give Liam a chance.”
“He didn’t mean romantically. He meant with the project.” She sighed. “But I can’t give him a chance because I kind of sort of fired him yesterday.”
“What? Why?”
“We couldn’t come to any sort of agreement on the hotel project. He thinks everything needs to be super modern, and I still want to take the traditional route.”
“Yikes.”
“I know. But when I told Uncle Seb that, he said the hotel wasn’t ever going to be the same. And now I’m all conflicted. What if I was too hasty in letting Liam go? What if I’ve ruined everything?”
The sound of splashes filled the air, along with children’s laughter.
“Aw, Dani.” Mia hugged her jacket tighter around herself. “The hotel will never be the same because you’re not the same. You have so many wonderful memories attached to it, but what if you were to rebuild it exactly as it was, and none of your family returned? Don’t tell me it would feel the same to you.”
“No. But I have to try, don’t I?”
Without looking away from her kids on the dock, Mia grabbed Dani’s hand in her own. “I know you want your family back, but don’t forget that family is more than just siblings, a mom, and a dad. Even if I weren’t your cousin, we’d be family.”
Dani’s eyes burned, and she blinked back the tears.
Mia continued. “So are Cody and Jill and Tara and Henrietta and every islander. This town…we are a family. And whatever happens with the hotel—whether you put everything back exactly as it was or not—won’t change that.”
Whew. Her cousin’s words landed right in her gut. Dani still wanted her family back. And the best chance of that happening was to play on their nostalgia. But what if they did say no to returning?
Worse, what if the project never got off the ground in the first place because Dani was too stubborn to risk it?
She swallowed hard, squeezed Mia’s hand. “I have to compromise, don’t I?”
“Yep.”
Her cousin’s voice was now infused with pep and some sort of glee—a welcome change from her demeanor for the better part of the last year. Of course, it was coming at Dani’s expense, but she almost didn’t care. “Don’t sound so happy about it,” she teased.
“Of course I’m happy about it.” Mia flashed her a quick smile. “You’ll have to keep working closely with the good Mr. Stone in order to hammer out the details.”
“It’s too late.” Dani shivered, and it wasn’t from the breeze floating off the lake. The idea of being alone with Liam again, working closely with him for potentially long hours at a time…well, it sparked more joy than it should. “He’s got to be long gone by now, if not on yesterday’s ferry, then today’s. There’s no point in entertaining the idea of more.”
“But you want to.” It was a statement, not a question.
No point in hiding her feelings from the friend who knew her best. Dani groaned. “Ugh, yes. I want to. But I can’t imagine things ever working out between us, even if by some miracle I convinced him to come back here. He’s planning to take over his dad’s job as CEO in Los Angeles. I belong here. And my heart is already so…Well, I just can’t afford to lose any more of it to someone else who is just going to leave me.”
She glanced up at the sky filled with hints of green and yellow. Some said the northern lights were always there but they weren’t always visible. On nights like tonight, it felt almost cruel of God to keep the full beauty of His creation from them. Like He was dangling a carrot she desperately wanted. The same was true of Liam. He was everything she’d want in a man, really. Loyal, kind, hard-working, considerate. And of course, he wasn’t terrible to look at either.
But he couldn’t ever be hers.
Without a word, Mia rested her head against Dani’s shoulder. Finally, she spoke, and her words were soft but fierce. “You’ve been trying to protect yourself from being hurt again, and I understand that. It’s why you haven’t sought out dates. The perfect guy for you literally landed on your doorstep, and you’re still not giving him a real chance. But maybe it’s time for you to take that leap of faith and see what happens.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “Troy wasn’t perfect. We had our problems. But if I could have Troy here with me for twenty-four hours, knowing he would die again the very next day—that I would have to go through all this pain again—don’t you know what I would choose?”
A tear snuck past Dani’s defenses and fell hot down her cheek. “Love. You’d choose love.”
“I would. And so should you.”
The sky had darkened even more now, so much so that the adults were calling the kids in to eat. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Mia gave her a hug, then pulled back with a grin. “How about you just turn around? That’s a good start.”
“What? Why?”
“Because.” Mia pointed over Dani’s shoulder. “It looks like Liam didn’t leave after all.”
Dani turned.
Liam stood ten feet away, impossibly handsome in a dark jacket, jeans, and a blue cap—the first time she’d ever seen him in anything but a suit. One hand was shoved into his pocket and the other held some sort of small bag. He was tall and broad, like a rescue ship coming into harbor.
“What’s he doing here?”
“Why don’t you go find out?” With a quick squeeze to her arm, Mia hustled off toward the house to join her kids.
Her whole body felt frozen, rooted to the ground, but Dani managed to lift her hand in a small wave.
Liam strode toward her.
And then, just behind him, overhead, the aurora borealis finally revealed itself in full. Streaks of color danced across the sky, a painting on a canvas so beautiful it hurt. But hurt in a good way, in a way that reminded her that a broken bone sometimes had to be reset in order to heal properly.
And she couldn’t deny the whisper in her soul from the Creator, nudging her forward a step. One, two. Toward Liam, until they stood toe-to-toe.
The look in his eyes matched the one she’d seen in the Minneapolis hotel earlier this week. Was that the same desire, or had she imagined it then too?
Dani swallowed. “I’m sorry for giving up yesterday.”
Liam drew back and then a smile inked across his face. “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn.” He paused. “Does that mean I’m not fired?” The question was soft and teasing and filled with something else. Longing, maybe.
“I’m willing to bring you back on a probationary basis,” Dani teased back. “If you think we can work this out.”
Liam leaned in just a bit. “I’m counting on it.”
“Good. Me too.”
He studied her in the moonlight, gaze drifting over her features like the softest caress. “Good.”
She laughed. “I already said that.”
“I’m saying it again.” Then he held up the bag, which looked suspiciously like it had come from Good Day Coffee. “Just in case you needed more convincing, I’ve brought a peace offering.” He handed it to her.
She peeked inside. “I could kiss you right now.” Oh, wow. Oops. She was sure her cheeks were on fire. Thank goodness for the darkness.
He coughed. “That must be some cookie.”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t tried one?”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“Then you have to split this one with me.” Reaching into the bag, she drew out the cookie that was nearly as big as her hand. Without another thought, she broke it in half.
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to do that.” She gave him his half and held hers up close to her mouth. “Ready? On three.”
He matched her posture. “One.”
“Two,” she said.
“Three,” they said together.
Dani bit into her cookie and groaned as the pastry melted against her tongue, making a sweet night even sweeter.
Because one of Jill’s cookies eaten alone was good.
Eating one with Liam?
It was pure magic, just like the sky above them.
Just like she hoped to create with him, now that they were on the same team.
* * *
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so stuffed in my entire life.” Liam set a hand against his stomach.
“Never let it be said that the ladies of Jonathon Island don’t know how to potluck.” Dani’s eyes danced from her spot beside him. Or maybe that was the flickering of the firelight. Either way, her smile dazzled.
And it moved something inside of him. Something that made him want to stay right here beside her.
He still couldn’t believe she’d rehired him. Thought he’d have to do some real cajoling and begging, but she’d seemed almost relieved to see him when he’d shown up tonight. It seemed they both had come to the realization that compromise was going to be necessary for them to complete this task.
And then, she’d gone and been all kinds of irresistible and teasing in the moonlight, and once again, he’d had the strongest urge to kiss her.
What was happening to him? Since when would he rather spend a Friday night cozied up beside a fire instead of at an art gala or a corporate event in the city?
Maybe this island was changing him.
Maybe Dani was.
“I wouldn’t dare say such a thing, because that was some of the best eating I’ve ever done.” Laughing, Liam stood with his empty plate—which had recently been filled to the brim with potato casserole, deviled eggs, pulled pork, and cherry pie—and offered to take Dani’s too. She sat adorably tucked into her folding chair, one leg pulled up all casual, the other flat on the ground. “You want some hot chocolate?”
“Ooo, yes, please.” She turned her attention back to the massive bonfire that was the center of the gathering where at least forty or fifty townspeople had gathered. After they’d made up and decided to meet tomorrow to hash out their new joint plan for the hotel, Dani had taken Liam around and introduced him to most of them. Some he knew already, but whether they’d met before or not, each one welcomed him with a smile. Peggy Martinez had even patted him on the cheek and called him a “dear boy,” and Stuart “Mac” MacBride—a grizzly bear of a man—had given his hand a squeeze with his big beefy paw and no words. And many others smiled and nodded, accepting him with friendliness in their gazes.
And he couldn’t forget how most of the residents had looked between him and Dani with curiosity and expectation.
Now Liam walked his trash to the large garbage can near the Jonathons’ front stoop, then trudged up the steps and swung open the door to the house, where he was greeted with warmth and chatter. He made his way into the kitchen only to find Elise Jonathon and Nancy Hart—Cody’s mom, who he’d met before dinner—along with a few other women. They all straightened and stopped speaking immediately, a few of them looking away from him. Hmm. Subtle, they were not.
“Ladies.” He nodded as he moved toward the hot chocolate station, where someone had set up small mason jars filled with various accompaniments, from toppings like crushed peppermint, marshmallows, chocolate chips, truffles, and coarse sea salt to caramel sauce, dark chocolate syrup, and whipped cream.
“Liam, we were just talking about you,” Elise said. “Nothing bad, I promise.”
“That’s a relief to hear.” And rather surprising, actually. What was so interesting about him? When he’d first arrived, he’d felt like a fish out of water in his three-piece suit and big-city ways. But apparently nearly two weeks in Jonathon Island was all it took to bring out the casual in him, to become one of them. Because here he stood in his boots and jeans, even more comfortable than he’d imagined. He rather liked it too.
The other women resumed talking, though not about him. Their voices buzzed through the kitchen like a bunch of bees working away, but Elise joined him at the cocoa station.
“This is a superb party, Elise.” Liam reached for two Styrofoam cups, placed them side by side, and filled them with cocoa from a Crockpot. It smelled divine. “Thanks again for having me.”
“Of course. I’m thrilled you could come.”
“Nowhere I’d rather be.” He added a dash of sea salt to his own cup, placed a lid on it, then paused. Dani liked things sweet, but which toppings were her favorite?
“Trying to decide what to add to my niece’s cup?”
He glanced at this woman, who wore a red sweatshirt, a knowing look on her face. Ah. Maybe that’s what the women had been discussing. Not him, per se. But him and their favorite small-town tourism director.
Were his feelings for Dani so obvious to everyone? Or were they simply being nosy and making assumptions because the two of them were both single and working together?
Clearing his throat, he pointed to the chocolate chips. “She’d want some of those, right?”
“I’d think so.”
He sprinkled some into her drink. “And marshmallows?”
Elise took a dish rag from the sink and started tidying up the area around the bowls, where sprinkles had spilled, likely by one of the many children he’d seen running around the property. “I’ve never known her to drink cocoa without them. Might want to add some peppermint too.”
“Thanks.” Adding a dash of peppermint, he then placed a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of Dani’s cocoa. “That oughta do it.”
“I do believe it will.” Elise swiped the counter where some hot chocolate had spilled. “I notice yours is very savory while hers is very sweet.”
“Good observation.” He chuckled and stuck a lid on Dani’s hot chocolate, then took a sip from his own.
“I think the two are a good balance, don’t you think?” Elise smiled, something secretive in it, and looked at Liam with expectation.
Ah. “We aren’t talking about the cocoa anymore, are we?”
Elise winked. “You always were a smart one, Liam. Even as a little guy.”
“I sometimes forget you knew me as a child. That you and Mom were friends.” Settling back against the counter, he took another sip from his drink. “A lot of those memories are gone for me, unfortunately. And Dad doesn’t really talk about them.”
“That’s understandable, given all you’ve lost.” Elise set the rag down and turned to face Liam. “We didn’t see you often, but I always knew you’d grow into quite the catch. And from what I’ve seen, from what Seb has told me, I think your mother would be very proud of you.”
Not what he’d expected, and a lump formed in his throat. “Thanks, Elise.”
“And I know I’m biased, but my niece is quite the catch too.”
He smiled. “And your point?”
“Just that your mom would want you to be happy.” Elise squeezed his shoulder. “And if Dani makes you happy—better yet, if she makes you want to be an even better man than you already are—then don’t be afraid to pursue her.”
Aw, man. But what could he say? “You’re right. Your niece is a catch. I’d be blind not to see that. And I’m not afraid to pursue her for my sake. More for hers.” He frowned. “I’m not sure what I can really offer her.”
“Like I said, you’re a catch too. Offer her your heart. That’s all she needs.”
If only it were that simple. “I appreciate that, but we live in different time zones. And I don’t have the best track record with relationships.”
“Then it’s a good thing that God is in the business of working out those kinds of pesky details like where people live.” Elise said. “And as for your track record, I am fully confident that God will give you exactly what you need to rise to the occasion if He’s calling you toward something new.”
With another squeeze to his shoulder, Elise offered him a final smile and rejoined the other ladies, who were now discussing Mia and how they wished she would start dating again. Apparently, once women reached a certain age, all they wanted to talk about was matchmaking for the younger generations.
But that didn’t mean they didn’t have a lot of wisdom too. What Elise had said…well, he knew her words would probably keep him awake tonight.
Clearing his throat, Liam grabbed up both cups of hot chocolate and hustled out of there and back into the chilly night air. His and Dani’s seats were near the back of the multi-layer circle, but because the fire was so large, its effects could still be felt from their spot. When he got back to the seat, Dani had bundled herself in a blanket.
“Here you go,” he said as he lowered himself into his seat beside her and held out her cup. “Hopefully this will warm you up more.”
“Took you long enough.” Then she removed the lid from her cocoa and smiled at what she saw. “All of my favorites. Yum. Thank you.”
Score one for Team Sweet. “No problem. And it wasn’t my fault it took so long. I was waylaid by Elise.”
“My aunt is quite the talker. I’m surprised she wasn’t surrounded by her friends chattering away.”
“Oh, she was when I first came in. A whole Gossip Brigade accompanied her.”
Her lips curved upward. “Ah, yes. What poor souls were they talking about today?”
He rubbed the back of his neck and coughed.
“Oh.” So she understood. If he’d been able to see the color of her cheeks, would they be pink? Did she like the fact the two of them were being lumped together? “Sorry about that. You know how small towns are.”
“I actually don’t.” He sat back in his chair and stared at the fire, which was at this point taller than Seb and Cody, both of whom were stoking it with more wood. Someone on the other side started playing a guitar, and a few kids started singing “Ninety-Nine Bottles of Root Beer.” “I mean, in theory I do. And I understand based on my oh-so-long stay here.”
“Really. Like what?” Her tone had turned amused as she sipped her cocoa.
“Well, of course, there’s all the stuff you’ve told me. But I’ve also picked up a few other facts. Like the Quinns are the stable owners and keeper of the horses on the island, but there hasn’t really been a need for horses and buggies since the pandemic. And the Barretts own a construction company that used to be on island but now is off, but some of the brothers still live here, and they’ve not got the best of reputations. Oh, and Cody and Mia claim to be friends, but I’m sensing more there.”
Dani laughed. “And just how did you pick up on all of this?”
“Hey, the coffee shop is a bastion of information. You sit there long enough”—he tapped his right ear as he turned his gaze to her again—“you hear things.”
“And Jill Kelley is part of said Gossip Brigade.”
“That too. I’m not sure she liked me at first, but my many purchases over the last few weeks have worn her down.”
“That and the fact you’re a sweet talker.”
“What can I say?” He lifted his drink. “It’s a gift.”
She rolled her eyes playfully. “Well, color me impressed.”
“You should be impressed. Did you know that Lyle and the gang even let me in on a round of gin rummy last night at Martha’s?” He paused, fixed her with a meaningful look. “I think they could tell I was depressed after our ride in the park, and for some reason, they wanted to cheer me up.”
“You sound surprised.”
“I am. Back home, I don’t even know my neighbors. Of course, I live in a hotel, but still.” He blinked, shaking his head. “And here, people who are practically strangers treat me like this.”
“Like what?” Dani shifted in her seat so she faced him a little more. Her knee bumped into his—and didn’t move away.
And suddenly everything inside him couldn’t keep his brain off the desire to hold her hand.
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Like they care about me. And not just as a new face, something interesting. But as a person.”
“They do care.” Dani paused. “ We care.”
“That means a lot.” The singing grew louder around the campfire, so he leaned in a bit closer. “And I care about you too.” Oops. “The town, I mean.”
She drew nearer also, and her eyes searched his, a question in her gaze. Did she feel this pull toward him like he did to her? “ Just the town?”
“No.” How could he deny it? His fingers itched to trace every inch of her face—the faint creases in her forehead, the contours of her cheeks, the dimple right beside the lower bow of her lips. Would those lips taste as sweet as he imagined, like chocolate and cream? If he leaned in and kissed her right now, would her breath catch? Would his kiss elicit the same groan of pleasure as when she’d tasted that cookie earlier tonight?
Suddenly, he had to know.
Setting his drink on the ground, Liam reached up and grazed his thumb along her jawline, up, up, until he caught a strand of her silky hair between his fingers and brought it behind her ear. His eyes never leaving hers, he felt, more than saw, a shiver shake her as he leaned in closer, closer.
Finally, her eyes closed and so did his as he leaned in and skimmed his mouth against hers.
The kiss was soft, testing, and Liam sank into it, allowing himself the pleasure of this single moment with her, of his mouth moving against hers. Dani’s sweetness carried through from her very essence to her lips, and she tasted of chocolate and decadence.
He’d never sampled anything so delicious.
How could he have ever thought just a taste would be enough? The what if rose inside him. Suddenly he didn’t just want to test. He wanted to dive in. To belong to her, and her to him.
Liam’s hands cupped her cheeks and pressed closer.
“Ow!” Dani broke away and looked at him, stunned, before leaping up from her seat.
“What? Did I hurt you?”
“Not you.” But she was swiping at her pants, which were covered in a dark-brown liquid and—melted marshmallow? She pointed at the overturned cup on the ground at her feet. “My drink spilled during…” Her cheeks were red.
“You okay, there, Dani?” Seb approached, looking concerned.
“Oh yeah, just being clumsy.” She glanced at Liam quickly, then back at her pants.
Seb leveled him with a hard stare. Had he seen them kissing? Did he approve?
But then the consequences of the kiss crashed over Liam. Honestly, what had he been thinking? No matter how welcoming the people of Jonathon Island had been, after he and Dani got the hotel plans completed and the council’s approval, well, no matter what Elise had said, Liam was leaving.
Maybe God was in the business of working out details. But Liam couldn’t take a risk that things would just magically work out.
Seb cleared his throat. “Maybe you should grab some paper towels, there, son.”
“Right.” Liam took Dani by the hand. “Here, let’s get you inside.” Turning, he led her up the steps into the house where the kitchen stood empty, then assessed the damage. The spot on her pants didn’t appear too large, but she might have burns underneath. Then again, the cocoa had probably cooled considerably since the time he’d taken it out of the slow cooker. “Are you okay?” he asked as he gathered a fistful of paper towels from the dispenser near the sink.
“Fine. Mostly embarrassed.” Dani took the paper towels and dabbed at the spot. “Um, that was?—”
“I know. A mistake.”
She looked up. Frowned. And it was a spear to his heart. And he hated the look on her face. The frown. A slack jaw. The wrinkles in her forehead pronounced. Why shouldn’t she be confused? “Dani?—”
“No, it’s fine. You’re absolutely right.” Turning from him, she tossed the paper towels into the garbage. “We need to work together and get this job done and compromise. We can’t let ourselves get confused, can we?” Then she met his eyes. There was something unreadable in her expression.
Throat thick, he nodded. “Thanks for understanding.”
“Of course.” She pointed to her pants. “I think these are a lost cause, so I’m gonna go scrounge up some sweatpants from Aunt Elise’s closet. I’ll see you outside in a bit, okay?”
“Sure.”
And she left the room, taking all the air with her.
Blowing out a breath, Liam pushed his hands through his hair, and they settled on top of his head.
“Everything okay?”
He turned to find Cody entering the kitchen via the back door. “Oh, hey. Yeah, everything’s fine.” He dropped his hands.
“Really?” An eyebrow raised, Cody headed to the stack of paper plates and served himself some chicken casserole. “I just saw Dani run upstairs, and it looked like she couldn’t get away from you fast enough. You that bad of a kisser?”
Liam groaned. “You saw that?”
“I think the whole town saw it, man.”
“Fabulous.”
Cody rustled inside a bag of barbecue chips and plopped some onto his plate. “So what happened?”
“Kissing her was a mistake.”
“And let me guess—you told her that.”
“I screwed up, all right? But we’ve got too much at stake here to mess things up on a whim.”
“You don’t exactly seem like the kind of guy who does anything on a whim.”
“Normally, I’m not.”
“But she got to you. You’re falling for her.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Yeah, but I can’t.”
“Why’s that?” Cody snagged a napkin. “And don’t give me some lame excuse about how being with her would mess up the project, especially if you’re both on board with compromising. There’s gotta be more to it than that.”
Liam sank against the counter and sighed. “Once we get the council’s approval, the project will be turned over to someone else, and I’ll move on to the next thing. Hopefully, getting my dad to let me take over as CEO in Los Angeles. Dani would never move there, and I can’t be here, so it’s a moot point.”
“Ever heard of long distance, bro?”
“Been there, done that. It’s not a good idea.”
“Oh right, you mentioned something about that.” Cody slid onto one of the barstools behind the kitchen island. “What happened?”
“A few years ago, I seriously dated a woman who lived in Los Angeles. Tiffany. But I was gone ten months out of the twelve we were together. I really liked her, and we did our best to talk every night, but you know how it is. Work would run late, or she’d be out with her friends when I’d call. I came home when I could, but she never wanted to travel out to my work site. Said I was too busy for her whenever she did.”
“Sounds brutal.”
“We did our best.” Liam shrugged. “Though it wasn’t enough for her. On our one-year anniversary, I took her out to this really great restaurant, one she’d been talking about for ages, and she told me I needed to ask her to marry me or break up with her.”
“What’d you say?” Cody shoveled some casserole into his mouth.
“How could I ask her to marry me? I’d already signed up to take on a six-month project right after that and was up for a big promotion too, that would have required even more travel. It wouldn’t have been fair to be planning a wedding while we were apart that whole time, and I knew I would have ended up disappointing her even more. So we decided to break up.” Liam crossed his arms over his chest. “After that, I promised myself I wouldn’t ever do long distance again.”
Cody polished off his casserole and stood with his plate of chips, chucking his fork into the trash can. “I’m no expert by any means but sounds to me like you didn’t want it badly enough. Neither of you did.”
“Weren’t you listening? My job situation just wasn’t conducive to having a relationship.”
“Nah, that’s not it.” Cody clapped him on the shoulder. “Because when you really want something, you go after it—no matter what obstacles stand in your way.” A look stole over his buddy’s face, almost like surprise at the words he’d spoken.
Then he blinked, shook his head, and carried his plate silently out the back door.
Leaving Liam in the kitchen, once more, alone with his thoughts…and absolutely no answers.