Chapter 34 #2
My eyes widen. “I’m sorry? Your snake was named Kevin?”
One corner of Liam’s mouth tilts up. “You got a problem with the name Kevin?”
“It’s fine if you’re a middle-aged accountant.”
Liam releases a short laugh. “Big fan of Home Alone as a kid.”
I can’t decide if the mental image of a child-sized Liam, snake draped around his shoulders, makes me smile or shudder.
We’re interrupted by Diana announcing the start of the seventh annual Cupid’s Companion event and they open the gate.
Liam is, of course, a natural salesman. He turns on the charm, quickly matching two large mixed breed dogs with new owners. While they fill out paperwork, Liam entertains the dogs, sprawling out on the grass to distribute belly rubs and scratches.
I try several times to introduce Duchess to potential adopters, but she does herself no favors by flattening her ears and hissing at every single person who so much as glances her way.
My attention is snagged by a large dark-skinned man, easily six-four with broad shoulders, wearing an Army hoodie. His left arm ends just below the elbow, the sleeve of his shirt pinned up neatly.
He pauses in front of Duchess’s cage wearing an expression I can’t quite decipher. Intrigue, maybe?
Naturally, Duchess hisses again.
I expect him to back away like others have done, but he stands there, lips twitching into an almost smile.
A large group of teenagers approaches, and I spend the next ten minutes telling them about each animal. I warn them they have to be eighteen or older to adopt and they lose interest and head to the parking lot.
When I turn back to see if the man is still with Duchess, I find he’s nowhere in sight.
The afternoon passes in a blur of new beginnings as animal after animal is adopted.
I do a little happy dance each time I have a successful match, which makes Liam shake his head and grin.
By half past three, most of the animals have found homes.
The crowd has thinned to only a few stragglers, meanwhile, Duchess remains sprawled in her cage wearing a snarl on her face.
I’m starting to think she’ll be here another year when the sight of an Army hoodie catches my eye.
Once again, he’s approaching Duchess, so I head his way.
After a quick introduction, we both pause to watch Duchess swat at an imaginary enemy.
“Saw her earlier,” he says, voice gravelly. “Place was too packed. I waited in the parking lot till the crowd thinned out.”
I nod in understanding. “Crowds can be overwhelming sometimes.”
The man gives a brisk nod and leans in to read Duchess’s card, letting out a low whistle through his teeth. “Been here a while, huh?”
“Yeah, she’s…um…” I tilt my head side to side. “Particular about who she tolerates.”
“I see.” He’s still looking at the cat, and there’s something almost respectful in the way they’re eyeing each other. “I’m not looking for easy. Easy’s boring.”
If this man wouldn’t think I was crazy I’d do my happy dance right here, on the spot. This ornery cat might actually find her match today after all.
“Would you like me to take her inside to the meet and greet room for you two to get better acquainted?”
He rubs at his chin, squatting so he’s eye level with the cage while Duchess tracks the movement like she’s assessing a threat. “Yeah. I’d like to meet her properly. Name’s Marcus, by the way.”
Twenty minutes later, Liam and I are breaking down tables when I spot Marcus emerging from the building, carrying a cardboard cat carrier. As he approaches, I can see Duchess through the air vents, a murderous expression on her face. But she’s going home. I can hardly contain my smile at the sight.
“She let you live, I see.”
Marcus’s mouth twitches. “Barely. Hissed and swatted a bunch. But she finally let me pet her for a good five seconds.”
“That’s basically a friendship pact from Duchess.”
“Yeah, well.” He glances down at the carrier, his eyes softening. “We came to an understanding.”
“I’m really glad she found you,” I tell him, meaning it more than he probably knows.
“She would’ve tried to smuggle that cat home with us in her purse if you hadn’t shown up,” Liam says, sliding an arm around my waist. There’s affection in his voice that makes my stomach turn in a delicious coil, but it’s nothing compared to the feel of his hand settling firm against my hip.
My knees go weak and all thoughts scatter in the wind.
My only focus is on Liam’s hand where it rests casually like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Like his arm has circled my waist a thousand times.
“Cassie’s been eyeing Duchess all day.”
It takes me a second to remember we’re talking about the cat. I blink, forcing my brain to catch up.
“Well, look at her, Liam!” I gesture to the carrier. “She’s perfect.”
“She hissed at a toddler.”
I make a psssshh sound and wave a hand. “That toddler probably had it coming.”
Marcus quietly watches us with a small smile on his face. “You two make a cute couple.” Turning to Liam, he says, “Hope you got her something nice for Valentine’s Day.”
“Oh no,” I interject, waving both hands. “We aren’t a couple.” But Liam’s arm looped around my waist says otherwise. The words hang in the air, and I immediately wish I could take them back. Still, we aren’t a couple. I have no clue what the hell we are.
Marcus’s expression shifts, somewhere between apologetic and confused. “My bad. Just seemed like—” He stops himself, clearly realizing he’s stepped into something. “You know what, I think I’ll stop while I’m ahead.”
“It’s complicated,” Liam explains.
“Best things usually are,” Marcus says with a little twinkle in his eye. “Anyway, thanks for your help. House was getting too quiet, ya know? Figured it was time for some company.” He looks down at the carrier affectionately. “Even if she hates me.”
“Pretty sure that’s what cats do best,” Liam says, the corner of his mouth lifting, all awkward tension from seconds ago gone.
“Yeah, well. She looks like she’s been through some shit. Figure we’ll understand each other. But like I said, thanks.” He dips his chin and turns, leaving Liam and me still standing so close our shoulders brush.
After a beat, Liam drops his arm. “You wanna come back to my place? Watch a movie or something?”
“Or something?” I echo, one eyebrow raised. “Is this your version of Netflix and chill?”
A wicked grin spreads across his face, eyes heating. “Got something else in mind?”
My heart trips over itself at the challenge in his voice, but I don’t back down. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”
It’s a bold response. Bolder than I’ve been in a while. But the way he’s looking at me makes me feel brave.
“I’d love to watch a movie…” I pause for a beat. “Or something.”
The door to Liam’s truck is barely closed before words come tumbling out. “So…Marcus thinking we’re a couple.”
Liam starts the engine, lips twitching, but he remains quiet as he drives, wrist draped over the wheel. Is he just going to leave me hanging like that? We’re stopped at a red light, when he turns to me, green eyes searing. “We’re not, not a couple.”
Something corkscrews around my ribs, and I have to swallow.
We’re not, not a couple. The words loop over each other in my head as I try to parse what that means.
We’ve acknowledged the feelings we both have.
Then there was that kiss. He asked me to be his Valentine with a handwritten note that you better believe I’ll be confiscating as soon as I can.
And then there was his hand on my hip like it belonged there.
“That’s a double negative” is my stupid response.
“But it’s accurate. Am I wrong?” Liam glances my way and back to the road. “You’re overthinking over there.”
“I’m a therapist. Overthinking is literally in the job description.”
“That’s fair.” He pulls into the driveway and kills the engine, turning to face me fully.
“Look. I’m out of practice at this. The relationship stuff, talking about feelings stuff.
” His hand finds mine where it rests on my thigh.
“I have feelings for you,” he says, a rough edge to his voice.
“I’ve had them for a while. And I’m working on myself in therapy because I want to be someone who can actually show up for you…
for us.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze.
“I don’t know exactly what comes next, and I’m not expecting you to have all the answers either.
I just…I want to see where this goes, if you do, too. ”
“I do,” I agree, softly. “I’d like to see where this goes.”
The smile that spreads across his face is devastating. Affection and desire rise to the surface simultaneously, so sharp I have to force myself to breathe around it.
Right as I’m reaching for the handle to open the door, he grabs my wrist, tugging me toward him.
For a heartbeat, I’m afraid he’s gonna take it all back, but then one large hand fans wide against the back of my neck and his lips brush the corner of my mouth, soft and sweet.
When he pulls back, his eyes are dancing.
Oh, we are in so much trouble.
“Good. Now, come on.” He squeezes my hand before letting go. “I’ve got the perfect movie picked out.”