Chapter 38 Liam
Liam
“Right.” Roman deposits a steaming cup of coffee in front of me. “Start from the beginning.”
It’s the day after the rooftop picnic. Anna left my place this morning and I went to Roman’s to pick up Finn and, naturally, I’m being grilled for details.
“There’s nothing to tell,” I say, bringing the drink to my lips and taking a sip.
Truth is, there’s plenty to tell. But I just don’t know what to bloody make of it. Something changed last night. I could feel it.
“That’s a crock of bollocks and you know it,” he says, smirking.
“What did she say about the picnic?” Zoey asks, leaning against the counter.
Footsteps thunder from the level above and I smile, knowing Finn and Melody are having fun.
Roman snaps his fingers in front of my face. “Earth to Liam.”
I blink back to attention. “She liked it.”
“She liked it?” Zoey says, throwing her hands up. “I slaved away for hours helping you build that gorgeous little love nest, and all I get is she liked it?”
“Fine. She really liked it,” I say, taking another sip.
Roman’s face cracks into a beaming smile. “I bet she did. He has that glow about him, don’t you think, Zoey?”
I set my coffee down with a thud, running a hand down my face. “You are bloody impossible.”
“Well, I like her,” Zoey says, folding her arms. “She’s sweet. And you know what I think?”
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me anyway,” I say dryly.
“I think you deserve this.” Her voice grows softer. “You deserve someone who makes you smile the way you’ve been smiling all morning.”
“Aye,” Roman agrees. “It’s quite endearing, actually.”
“Sod off,” I mutter.
Zoey swats Roman’s arm. “Leave him alone.” Her gaze fixes on me. “All I’m saying is, I’m glad you’ve found happiness with Anna.”
“We’re only having some fun,” I reply, but even I can hear how unconvincing I sound.
Zoey shoots me a sad smile. “You’re allowed to move on, Liam.”
The mood shifts as soon as the words leave her mouth and I bristle, because Anna does make me happy.
Everything is easy with her. The sex is incredible, sure, but the friendship we have is what really gets me.
We have a connection, and I know it’s the kind of connection that doesn’t come about all that often. She gets it. She gets me.
I just have no idea what to do with it.
I look to Roman, who regards me with something that looks uncomfortably like pity. The teasing expression has completely drained from his face.
“I know, Zoey,” I say, “I’m just not ready yet.”
“Who are you trying to convince? Yourself?… Or us?” Roman asks.
The honest answer sits heavy in my chest. Myself.
Zoey’s expression softens and she moves closer. “Liam, honey, I don’t think anyone’s ever really ready for love. I certainly wasn’t.” She glances at Roman with tenderness.
“And look at us,” Roman says, tugging her close with his free arm. “Happy as a pig in shit.”
“Eloquent as always, babe,” Zoey says with a laugh, patting his chest before turning back to me. “I’ve seen the way she and Finn are when they’re together. It’s beautiful.”
I rest my forearms on the bench, blowing out a breath.
She shakes her head as her gaze turns watery.
“What Tash did to you and Finn? The way she—” She stops herself, reaching out and tentatively touching my arm.
“Sometimes the people who break us teach us to recognize the ones who won’t.
Maybe Anna came into your life exactly when you both needed it.
The way she looks at you, Liam… it was never going to stay casual.
And the way your whole face lights up when you talk about her?
I don’t think it is for you either.” She gives my arm a light squeeze. “You deserve to let yourself be happy.”
“It’s different now… we’re different,” I murmur. “Last night . . .”
Zoey dips her head slightly, looking into my eyes. “It’s okay to admit that you like her.”
“I think I’m starting to more than like her,” I admit.
“So what are you gonna do?” Roman asks, kicking one leg over the other.
I sigh. “That’s the thing. I have no idea. I hate feeling like we have to sneak around. But what choice do I have? She’s Finn’s teacher. If we’re photographed together, everyone will bloody see it.”
“You’re almost at the end of the school year. Can you guys just hold out a few more weeks?” Roman asks.
“Fuck,” I say, bouncing my leg. “If anyone finds out, Anna could get in trouble. And Finn . . .” I trail off.
“What about Finn?” Roman asks, his brows drawing together. “He loves her. I don’t see the problem.”
“That is the problem,” I say. “Finn adores her. Talks about her constantly. I don’t want to make a show of what me and Anna are doing because what if I screw up? What if we try and it doesn’t work? He’d be devastated, and he’d still have to see her every day at school. I can’t do that to him.”
“Liam.” Zoey’s voice is firmer now. “This would be the same with any woman at any time. It’s something you’ll have to deal with eventually, regardless of whether it’s Anna or someone else. The difference is, you’ve found comfort with someone Finn already cares about. That’s a blessing.”
“Does she know how you feel?” Roman asks.
Blowing out a long breath, I push a hand through my hair. “Somewhat.”
“Hmm, sounds like it might be time to have ‘the chat’.” Roman gives a satisfied little grin.
“The chat,” I mock. “I don’t even know what the bloody chat is. I haven’t done this for over seven bloody years!”
Roman rubs his hands together. “Well, what you need to do is play it cool. Don’t come on too strong—”
“Well how the bleedin’ hell am I supposed to manage that? Isn’t the whole point of ‘the chat’ to come on strong?”
“Hmm. You’re right. What about flowers?” Roman continues. “Women love flowers. Get her some roses or some shite.”
“Flowers? Isn’t that a bit unoriginal?”
“What about a note?” Roman volleys.
“A note?” I reply incredulously. “What am I? Twelve?”
“STOP! Both of you!” Zoey explodes, rolling her eyes and smacking her palms against the counter. “For crying out loud! What is it with you men?” Her gaze bores into me. “Just tell her how you feel, it’s not that bloody hard.”
I glance at Roman. He knows me better than anyone and can read me like a book. I swallow thickly.
“Oh, you’ve got it bad, brother,” he says.
And I don’t bother correcting him—we all know he’s right.