Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Athena
Today was long as hell.
After Linny left, I dove into work and slammed out ten bouquets in record time.
Boom.
Only one of my weekend coworkers showed up. She brought with her an explanation for the other’s absence. Martinis and men.
They both got drunk last night, so they flipped a coin and I ended up with a very queasy helper for the day. Since she was in no shape to face the people receiving the bouquets I put together, I took on deliveries again.
That’s what brought me here.
I’m at the hospital.
It’s almost eight p.m., so visitors are about to get the boot. I rushed to hand a pretty bouquet of irises to a new mom before a nurse shooed me away.
I shut down the shop before I left to come here, so my night is my own.
Scrolling through the food delivery app on my phone, I contemplate my choices.
I could stop and pick something up to save the delivery charge, or I could go super economical and eat whatever I find in my fridge that doesn’t have a layer of mold on it.
My gaze bolts from a picture of a ham sandwich to my messaging app when I hear the chime signaling a new arrival.
I open the app.
Liam: Look up.
My head darts up.
What the hell?
Standing across the lobby from me, dressed in dark jeans and a black Henley shirt is the man I haven’t stopped thinking about since last night.
He closes the distance between us with heavy measured steps.
“Are you alright? Why are you here, Athena?”
I pull a deep breath in, trying to calm my pulse. Why do I feel lightheaded whenever I’m within a foot of him? “I’m fine. I was delivering flowers.”
His face softens. “Good. That’s good.”
“Are you okay?” I question back because he’s the last person I expected to see here on a Saturday night.
Scrubbing a hand over the back of his neck, he nods. “I’m fine too.”
He doesn’t add anything else, so I take it to mean that he’s here because he’s visiting someone. Maybe it’s another ex. What is that saying about third times a charm? Or is it a nightmare?
“I want to talk.” He inches closer. “Do you have time to do that now?”
I do, but I’m wiped out.
“There’s a coffee shop a block from here.” He jerks a thumb toward the lobby doors. “Are you in?”
I should be out. Linny’s words of wisdom about Liam’s past entanglements war with my desire, but this is an innocent cup of coffee. What’s the harm in that? “I’m in.”
When I start walking toward the doors, he falls in step beside me. Our fingers brush against each other, but I pull mine away. I need to keep my hands off of him until I’m sure that another one of his ex-girlfriends isn’t going to pop up around the corner.
I take a seat across from him in a booth. We’re in a coffee shop with worn red leather bench seats. Our table is propped up by a book under one uneven leg.
It’s charming in an old-time New York City way.
The woman behind the counter knew Liam’s name and his order by heart.
Everyone turned when she called out, “Wolf,” to signal that our order of two medium coffees with cream and sugar was ready.
Blowing over the hot liquid in his cup, he keeps his eyes trained on my face.
Am I supposed to start this conversation?
“My brother is having a baby,” he announces. “Sebastian. He’s the oldest. Technically, his wife, Tilly, is having the baby.”
I take a second to shift my thoughts from his ex-girlfriends to his brother. “Did you see her at the hospital?”
Nodding, he glances around the coffee shop. “She was there.”
“Is she alright?”
I wouldn’t know her if I passed her on the street, but I ask because he’s tense. His hand is wrapped around the ceramic mug in a death grip.
“She’s good.” He half-smiles. “Happy. Excited to be a mom.”
I take a sip of my coffee. It’s bitter.
“Being an uncle is a pretty big deal.” Leaning back, he exhales. “This will be my third time.”
“I’m a one-time aunt.” I push the mug away from me before I slide it closer again.
I didn’t come here for small talk. I’m not even sure what I came for anymore. I yank my bag onto my lap. “I think I should go, Liam. I don’t think this is going to…”
“Don’t.” His voice comes out strained. “I’m sorry about last night, Athena. I let you down.”
He didn’t. It’s not his fault that Darcy showed up or that he had to take that call. That’s all timing and circumstance. If anything, fate played a role in the night too.
“Darcy had no right coming over.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “We broke up months ago. I don’t know what she was thinking showing up like that.”
I know what she was thinking. He’s hot.
She still wants him. I can’t blame her for that.
“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” I say before I swallow another sip of the bitter coffee.
“You were in the right place.” He inches forward. “I really like you, Athena.”
“I like you too,” I admit.
Before I can tell him that I’m not a fan of coming face-to-face with his ex-girlfriends, he clears his throat. “I propose we lay our cards on the table right now.”
I watch as he taps his hand on the tabletop.
“I have a past. I own it.” His eyes lock on mine. “I can’t erase any of it. I want you to know that I’m not interested in anyone but you. I know we said we’re keeping it casual, and I’m good with that, but let me be clear that the only woman I want to hang out with is you.”
Nervous, I spit the words out before thinking through what I should say. “My past isn’t like your past.”
Did that sound as judgy as I think it did?
For a second, I think I’ve offended him, but he cracks a smile. “Lucky you.”
I can’t leave well enough alone, so I try and explain. “I’ve only been with two men before. I’ve dated more guys, but I’ve only…”
Why did I tell him how many sexual partners I’ve had?
I need to keep my mouth shut.
He brushes his hair away from his forehead. “I wish my past was more like your past.”
Sometimes I wish mine were more like his.
I don’t regret not jumping into bed with more guys in college, but I wish that the men I had sex with were better partners.
More caring and loving, and it would have helped if they knew how to get me off.
“I’ve got a few ex-girlfriends in this city.” He shakes his head. “But that’s what they are. Exes. I don’t want to reconnect with any of them.”
“That’s good to know.”
He taps his palm on the table before he flips his hand over and motions for me to place my hand in his.
I do.
“Give me a chance to be your third, Athena.” He lowers his voice. “It doesn’t have to be tonight or tomorrow. Hell, I’m a patient man, but I want you. I think I’ve made that clear.”
I want you too, Liam.
The words play on my tongue, but they sit there unspoken.
“Here’s a plan.” His eyes meet mine. “I’ll drop by your class on Tuesday, and if I show any improvement in my floral design skills, you’ll hang out with me.”
“After class?” I ask.
“After class,” he affirms with a nod.
He comes with baggage, but I do too. Mine isn’t in the form of ex-boyfriends, but I still carry it with me always.
I can’t fault him for his past.
Glancing down at my hand nestled in his palm, I nod. “It’s a deal.”
“I need to up my flower game.” He laughs. “Any pointers?”
I shake my head. “What fun is it if I help you cheat? You’re on your own, Liam.”
“I’ll figure it out.” He leans back, still holding tightly to my hand. “There’s no way in hell that I’m going to fuck up my chance for extra time with my teacher.”