Chapter 30 #2
“Get the fuck out.” Liam marched him toward the door.
Opening it, he tossed him in the street.
Albert stumbled and nearly collided headfirst with the nearest lamppost. Instead, he managed to break his fall by clinging to it.
He looked over his shoulder, frowning at us through the thick curtain of falling snow before turning around and leaving.
Liam remained at the door until Albert was out of sight.
Then he turned toward me. “I’m so sorry about that. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. He didn’t do anything, just babbled until you arrived. How are you?”
I hurried to him, oblivious to everyone else in the store, even though they were still staring at us.
“I’m okay, Tess,” he said softly. My heart was still hammering in my chest. He looked at the guys surrounding us before taking my hand and walking with me to the back office.
The smell of melted cheese filled the air, but I didn’t feel like eating.
I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t hurting—in any way.
“Tess, babe, what is it? You’re shaking.”
He placed his hands on my neck, and I covered them with my palms. “What did he mean about you risking your business?”
Liam shook his head. “Don’t worry about that. I’m dealing with it.”
“No, we’re in this together. I want to know.”
“You already know he wants to sell his shares, and I’m going to find a solution so the shares remain in our control.”
“What aren’t you telling me?”
He sighed. “If I don’t make an offer before Christmas, he can sell them to whoever he wants.”
I closed my eyes, trying to rein in all my emotions. “Why didn’t you tell me there was a clock on it?”
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Do I seem like I can’t handle things?”
“Not at all, Tess. But you have so many things going on with the opening of the store and the inauguration of the new digital platform. I didn’t want to take away your joy or add more to your plate.”
I melted at his words, pressing my palms over his hands even tighter.
“This isn’t right though, Liam. I need to know everything.”
“Do you? Why? So both of us can worry instead of just one?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
He frowned. “I disagree. Seeing you worrying wouldn’t help one bit.”
I blinked, taking a step back. “So, what…your solution is just not telling me things?”
Liam looked like he very much wanted to say yes. Before he had a chance to voice that thought, we heard a knock at the door.
“It’s me,” Skye said.
“Come in,” I replied, holding Liam’s gaze. Neither of us said anything more as my sister came in.
“Hey. Oh, Liam. I didn’t know you were here. Am I interrupting you two?”
“No, not at all,” Liam said smoothly. “I brought pizza for everyone.”
Skye laughed, peeking at the box. “You mean for you and Tess, but it’s huge enough for all of us. Let’s dig in. I’m starving.”
We all leaned against the desks, eating while standing.
I wanted to continue the conversation with Liam, but I honestly didn’t know how.
He was disarming me with his charm and beautiful words, and I wasn’t sure how to make him understand that this was very important to me.
I believed communication was the basis for everything.
Skye seemed to pick up on the unease floating in the room, because she kept looking between us.
“This was delicious,” she said once the pizza was gone. “Liam, are you staying the whole afternoon?”
“Can’t. I just came for lunch. I’ll be here for the party later.”
“Okay, then get your charming self out of here so Tess and I can prepare everything. And no cute or sexy messages. Those always distract her.”
He chuckled. I smiled too, even though what I really wanted was to pull Liam to one side and discuss things with him until we were on the same page. But since I had no plan, I stayed put.
He gave me a quick peck on the forehead, looking me straight in the eyes.
“See you later,” I murmured. “Thanks for lunch.”
After a beat, he nodded and bid Skye goodbye before leaving.
Once he was gone, my sister eyed me suspiciously. “Okay, so maybe my detective skills aren’t as sharp as yours, but there seemed to be something weird in the air.”
I sighed, walking over and leaning on her desk right next to her. I laced one arm with hers, resting my head on top of her shoulder.
“You’re right.”
I then proceeded to tell her everything.
“Wait a second. Of course this isn’t right. You’re supposed to know. We’re supposed to know, since this affects the business too.” Skye chewed on her lower lip, frowning.
“I have an idea. Let’s talk to Becca,” I suggested. “I keep feeling that Liam is downplaying everything, and I’d like to hear all the facts.”
“Good idea,” Skye said.
I called from my phone, which I put on speaker.
“Tess, what a surprise,” she greeted. I had little contact with her and David since Liam was our official mentor.
“Hi! Skye’s here too. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure. How can I help?”
I pushed a hand through my hair and told her everything about Albert as quickly as possible. She swore when I was done.
“Becca, what’s going on?”
“You and Liam spoke about this?”
“Yes, but I don’t think he’s telling me everything.”
“Tess,” Becca said softly. “He’s doing everything he can to find a way out that doesn’t involve freezing the investment.”
My stomach dropped. “But that’s still the best solution?”
She hesitated.
“Becca?” I pressed.
“At the moment, yes.”
“Shit!”
“Listen, we’ve had our fair share of crises over the years, and we always came out on top?—”
“I don’t want to bring on a crisis!” I exclaimed. I felt heavy all of a sudden. “Becca, thanks for taking my call. I won’t keep you any longer. Have a great day.”
“You too, girls.”
I hung up and hugged the phone to my chest, pressing my forehead against a wall. I needed to think, and I needed to stop panicking, but I didn’t know how.
My sister hugged me from one side. “We’ll figure this out. Just let me go hunt down some cake and cheese.”
I chuckled despite everything. “You sure know how to lift my mood.”
“And let’s ask the clan to come in earlier. Emergency working lunch before the party. They always give good advice.”
“I love that idea.”