26. Maeve #2
Lydia sighs. “I don’t know how he’ll take it.
Or even how Mom will react. I know she’s really proud of Ford, but he did something that made him successful.
I don’t care if I’m successful in the traditional sense, and I’m glad I don’t have to worry about money.
The way Dad is okay with Liam because Liam is still…
you know… even if he hasn’t actually done anything with his life… ”
She waves her hand vaguely, and I feel a pang of sympathy.
“I’m sure that you’ll work it all out,” I tell her. “And I know that no matter what, Ford will have your back. He cares about you so much.”
I might not know as much about Ford as I thought I did, but I do know that. It’s obvious in how he looks at her, smiles at her, hugs her. He adores his little sister.
It’s one of the things that has quickly endeared him to me in a way that feels dangerous.
“Thanks,” Lydia says, and she sounds genuinely touched. We finish drying and putting away the dishes. “I appreciate that you think so. And I know Ford has my back. He’s amazing that way.”
I check on the cookies, and Lydia continues, “I’m so glad we’re getting this time together.
I know we kind of met back when you were with Liam—but, you know, we didn’t really get to know each other.
I love my brothers—and Hayden and Gabriel are like brothers to me—but I’m the only girl. I love the idea of having a sister.”
“I’m really enjoying getting to know you, too,” I tell her, and I mean it. Lydia’s lovely and fun, bubbly and energetic. She makes me feel more lighthearted just by being around her.
I just wish that this bonding wasn’t built on a lie. Lydia might get a sister-in-law someday, but it won’t be because of me.
“Something smells good.”
I stiffen as I hear Liam’s voice, standing up and grabbing the oven mitts. The cookies need to cool now, especially the sugar cookies, which have to be completely cool before we ice them or the icing will just melt and turn into a mess.
“We’re making cookies,” Lydia says as Liam enters the kitchen. “We’re making the icing now, right, Maeve?”
“That’s right. I know a lot of people will make the cookies but just buy the icing, but I’m a complete snob about it.”
Lydia laughs. “I love it.”
Liam watches us as I get out the ingredients and start showing Lydia what to do. “Really making yourself at home,” he notes, his tone carrying that same condescending edge I remember all too well from when we were dating.
Nothing I did was ever good enough for him back then. But I’m not putting up with it now the way I did then.
“Lydia’s been incredibly welcoming,” I say sincerely, gently bumping Lydia with my elbow and grinning at her. She winks at me.
Liam leans back against the far counter and looks me up and down with obvious assessment. “Not surprised you’re making cookies.”
“What?” I ask absentmindedly. Lydia and I mix the icing while I eye the various little tubes of food coloring. I’m definitely going to need her help with the green and red.
“Well, you know. You’ve clearly been baking a lot the last two years.”
“Start with just a few drops, because you can always add more but we can’t take it back out,” I tell Lydia. I frown over at Liam. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
Liam gives me a very pointed once-over, and my face flushes with humiliation as I realize he’s commenting on my figure.
I put my hands on my hips. “Is there something the matter with the way I look?” I demand.
I never would’ve said such a thing to him while we were dating. I didn’t have the courage. And I’d felt, deep down, that maybe it was partly my fault. That I deserved to be talked down to for not being thinner.
But now, I know better. I know my worth.
Lydia smirks down at the icing, apparently agreeing with my response.
“Not at all,” Liam says, and he gives me a look that makes my stomach curdle. Was he—he couldn’t be hitting on me, could he? As far as he knows, I’m engaged to his brother. Liam’s always been self-centered, but surely he wouldn’t sink that low.
“Well, you can keep your comments to yourself,” I inform him. Doesn’t matter what his intention is. I’m not going to tolerate it.
I can feel eyes on me, but before I can turn to look and see who it is, strong arms wrap around me from behind, and I catch the scent of bergamot, amber, and oak.
“You look good enough to eat,” Ford growls, just loud enough that I’m sure Liam can hear every word. “Maybe I’ll have you for dessert instead of these cookies.”
His brother scowls and stalks out of the kitchen. I’m relieved to see him leave. I don’t know what that was about, but I definitely don’t want it repeated.
Ford’s solid body is still pressed against mine, and now that Liam is gone, that’s where my entire focus goes, making it hard to breathe.
He’s so warm and solid, steady and reassuring, and so much taller than I am.
I can’t help but wonder if he’ll drag his nose along my throat again—or if he’ll do even more, like kiss me there. I shiver involuntarily.
He doesn’t do any of those things, of course, pulling back after a moment. But I can feel his heavy gaze on me, and when I turn to face him, I can see that standing behind him in the kitchen doorway are Hayden and Gabriel.
Both of them are watching me with unmistakable possessiveness. All three men are.
I swallow hard and turn back to the cookies. “Great work on these, Lydia. And you, shoo.” I point a spatula at Ford. “We’re trying to actually be productive in here and you’ll just distract me.”
He chuckles and puts his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Just let me know if there’s extra icing.”
“Is your sweet tooth really that bad?” I reply.
“I was thinking of spreading it on something other than cookies.”
“I am right here!” Lydia laughs. “Your sister! Ew! Go away!”
Ford does as she says, and I’m so incredibly relieved. My body is on fire and I’m trembling slightly, and even though I try like hell to forget it, I can still feel the heat and pressure of his body against mine.