27. LIAM
27
LIAM
Now
“Hiya!” Natalie says as she opens the glass door to my office. “Care for a late lunch? Your assistant ratted and said you haven’t eaten.”
I peer up from my computer to see her leaning against the door frame.
“Starving. Give me fifteen minutes to finish this email, and we can go.”
“I’ll wait for you outside.”
I meet Natalie out front of the building. When I checked the clock before heading down, I didn’t realize it was already three.
The day had flown by. I was up early. I couldn’t shake my conversation with Emerson, and a seven-mile run didn’t shake it either, so I came in early. I picked up Joe she doesn’t need to tell me. I’ll leave.
“Going to use the loo, then I’ll be gone,” I say.
Walking down the hall, I try to listen to their conversation.
“What happened?” Natalie asks.
“It wasn’t working. Brandon was upset that I said no to another venue and was disrespecting his mother’s planning.”
“You were disrespecting his mom? She hasn’t listened to one thing you wanted for the wedding! She didn’t even want me to be your maid of honor,” says Natalie.
“I know.” Emerson sniffles a cry. “At least we don’t have to worry about her now—maybe. I’m surprised she hasn’t called to go off on me about the split.”
“Emme, it had been a year of plan. . .” Their voices drift off as I close the bathroom door behind me.
I didn’t have to go; I needed to know what had happened.
Did I make this happen?
Stop being a prick. This isn’t about you.
I flush the toilet and wash my hands to keep up with the optics. Opening the door quietly to extend my time in the hall before leaving, I run into Chloe .
“Fancy meeting you here again,” Chloe sarcastically remarks.
“Chloe,” I growl lowly.
“I know she’s lying about why they called off the engagement. Her displeasure when you arrived with Natalie made it obvious that you had something to do with this. I don’t know what, but I will figure it out. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I am going to use the bathroom.”
She pushes past me, shutting the door with oomph behind her.
I don’t think Chloe likes me.
I take a deep breath before returning down the hall. Natalie and Emerson aren’t talking, but the sound of a container being scraped clean fills the room.
I try not to focus on Emerson, but that’s a challenge and one I’ll always fail. There’s a brief smile on her face, but it fades when she catches me looking at her.
“Liam, would you mind running to the store and picking up some more ice cream?” Natalie asks me. She spins the container, opens it toward me, and frowns at the emptiness.
“Yeah.”
“A strawberry shortcake for me and Emme likes—”
“Cookies and cream,” we both say at the same time.
“Yeah. . . how’d you know that?” Natalie asks.
“Good guess, I’sppose.” I shrug.
“Hmm, okay. You can leave it outside the door when you get back.” She looks over at Emerson, who is scrolling on her phone. “We appreciate it!” Natalie sings.
“Anything to help.”
I leave without a final look. I grab the ice cream from Whole Foods at the corner of Natalie’s block.
New markets are always woozy—never set up the same, even if they are the same brand. I meandered around the aisles until I found the ice cream. Then, I retraced my steps through them, picking up some of Emerson’s other favorite snacks .
I return to my place after dropping off the food. My evening now free. I changed to weight train in the gym on the first floor of our building, before lying on my couch reading, when I decided to text Emerson. It’s almost nine, and I figure she’s probably no longer with Chloe and Natalie.
Are you okay?
Emerson: What do you think?
Emerson: No.
I’m sorry.
Emerson: Why are you sorry?
He broke off an engagement with you. . . and I care about your happiness.
Emerson: He heard our conversation last night.
Oh.
Is that what you are upset about?
Emerson: IDK.
I’m sorry.
Emerson: Don’t be. He deserves better than me, anyway.
Don’t say that. That’s not true.
Emerson: It is.
Emerson: I didn’t love him as I should have; he deserves someone who does.
So do you.