Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
"Surprise!"
Liam tries to hide his irritation that Shelby has shown up unannounced at his front door in the middle of the day.
"When you didn't text me back, I didn't know what happened. But then Amy told me about the arrest on Monday and how you were injured." She looks down at his knee brace with sympathy. "It must remind you so much of losing your baseball career. Like you're reliving it."
Her comment irritates him further. "No, it's fine." It's more the memory of all the knee problems he had as a catcher he' s reliving. He played the same position throughout high school and college without a single hiccup. As soon as he turned pro, his knees started acting up. A lot of catchers have knee issues, but he was young and cocky enough back then to think it wouldn't happen to him.
"Come in," he tells her.
Miss Fancy Pants stands beside him, eyeing Shelby with suspicion.
"I apologize. I know I should have texted or called. At least I brought lunch." She holds up a bag of takeout. "I hope you like Dick's burgers and fries."
"Thanks, I do. That was thoughtful."
They head into the main part of his house. Maybe he can figure out a way to let her down easy.
"Oh, that's funny," Shelby says. "Your dog has a limp too. It's even the same leg."
He glances down at Miss Fancy Pants, who's trotting along next to him. "Yeah, she has a sprain. It's healing though."
"It's sort of cute. You two are like bookends."
They have lunch on the back patio. It’s Shelby's idea, and he has to admit it’s a good one as they sit outside in the sun.
"I just love your neighborhood," she says, looking around. His yard is fenced though not altogether private. "I know I mentioned it before, but it's perfect. So peaceful and quiet. It reminds me a lot of my neighborhood."
"Really?"
She gives him a coy smile. "Yes, you'll have to come over sometime and see it."
He takes a bite of his burger and tries to figure out how to tell her that's not going to happen.
She's wearing office-type clothes—slacks and a pretty blouse. Her dark hair is pulled back with a clip. She brought burgers, fries, and milkshakes. A woman who knows what guys like to eat.
The milkshake is vanilla, not chocolate, which is a relief, since he hasn't had a chocolate milkshake since high school .
They have an easy conversation, her green eyes lively as they discuss sports and then move on to work. She makes a few more sympathetic comments about his knee.
She has a self-assured way about her, and Liam knows he should be thrilled to have met a woman like this. She comes from a good family. Two brothers. One's a doctor, the other a tax attorney. Shelby studied statistics in college.
"I was a math major myself," he says, dipping his fries in ketchup.
"You're kidding? I didn't know that. I thought all you FBI guys were lawyers."
He chuckles. "Not all of us."
"We have a lot in common."
He has to agree. They both like sports and numbers. Staying in shape. An orderly life. Not to mention Shelby's quite attractive.
He thinks about the argument he had with his sister last night. Elena—hell, his whole family—would approve of Shelby 100 percent.
So why isn’t he more excited?
Instead, he feels bored at the thought of a relationship with her.
Fancy, who's been sitting near his feet most of the time, gets up to investigate something on the other side of the yard. She makes a point of ignoring Shelby.
"Have you heard anything from your ex about taking her back?" she asks, gesturing to the dog.
"No, nothing."
"I still can't believe she dumped her on you like that." She takes a pull from her milkshake. "I'm not sure if I'd be as generous as you are about keeping her. I mean, look at what she did to your couch."
He glances over to Fancy, who’s sniffing delicately along the edge of the fence. Since he came home with his injured knee, she's been glued to his side, and he gets the impression she's guarding him.
That this twelve-pound dog would appoint herself his protector evokes a feeling in Liam he can't quite put into words .
"You must be counting the days to get rid of her," Shelby continues.
He gazes over at the little dog. "Not at all."
Shelby takes a bite of her burger and chews for a few seconds. "You know, I never thanked you for introducing me to Nelson Coby. That was really great."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. He's a good guy. I take it everything went okay with him bringing you home?"
She nods. "No problem at all. He was a perfect gentleman."
There's an odd note in her voice, one that sounds like regret. It makes Liam glance at her. It's almost as if she wishes Nelson hadn't been such a perfect gentleman.
Tori's nervous. So nervous she tries on ten different outfits and changes her hair four times.
How exactly do you get ready for the first day of the rest of your life?
Standing in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom, she takes another selfie, texting the photo to Blair.
What do you think of this one?
I like it. You look pretty. Which earrings are you wearing?
The crystal chandeliers.
I'd switch to the hoops since it's lunch. You don't want to seem like you're trying too hard.
Okay, good idea.
Tori fishes through her jewelry box and pulls out some silver hoops. Her nails are freshly painted a frosty pink. She hopes Dr. Adrian likes pink. She'll have to find out what his favorite colors are, and his other favorites too.
Tori texts Blair again. I’m so excited this is finally happening!!!
I know! I'm thrilled for you. I can't wait to meet Dr. Adrian!
You'll love him. He's wonderful!! !
She already told Blair all about their first date and how it ended with a kiss, though Blair assumed Dr. Adrian had kissed her. She’d meant to correct that impression but never got around to it.
Tori's meeting Dr. Adrian at that new vegetarian restaurant. If things go as well as she hopes they do, she'll be able to tell Peyton all about it at work tomorrow. Of course, she'll text Blair right away. Though she might have to text Liam first just to gloat.
When she arrives at the restaurant, Dr. Adrian is already there sitting at a table, studying the menu.
She glances down at herself. She's wearing a flowered skirt and a pink hoodie with a white tank top under it. Casual enough for lunch, but a little dressier than jeans. Her jeweled pink flip-flops round out her outfit.
"Hi!" She grins.
He looks up and smiles. "Hi, Tori."
She takes a seat opposite him at the table. His light blue shirt brings out the blue in his eyes.
She's not going to think about Liam's brown eyes or the richness of them. The way his gaze on her is always steady, and how there's so something hot about that.
"Everything all right?" Dr. Adrian asks. "You're frowning."
"Am I?" She waves her hand in the air. "It's nothing. Just something frustrating with one of my clients, that's all."
"Your clients?"
Tori tells him she has a pet sitting business called Happy Pet Nanny.
Dr. Adrian's seems interested. "I didn't know that. I'll keep you in mind if any of my patients need your service."
"Thanks." She doesn't bother telling him that Peyton and all the girls at the front desk already recommend Tori to people. Dr. Bradley, the other vet at the animal hospital, approved it ages ago.
A waitress comes by to take their order. Tori quickly studies the menu, then orders the soup and bread combo, while Dr. Adrian has a veggie burger .
"So," he says, crossing his hands in front of him, "I'm really glad you could join me for lunch today."
"Me too. And I love trying new restaurants. It makes things so much easier that we're both vegans, doesn't it?"
He nods. "It's nice going someplace where I can order anything I want."
"I know. Such a relief." She beams at him. Tori is filled with happiness. It's only been a few minutes, but so far this lunch is going great.
They discuss the animal hospital and some of their recent patients. Even though she's only a vet assistant, he never talks down to her. It's one of the many things she appreciates about him.
Eventually, she dials things up a notch.
"I hope this isn't too forward of me," she says in a flirty tone, "but I'm glad this is finally happening between us."
"Oh?"
"I know it's been really hard since you and Renée broke up, but I think it's great that you're moving on."
"Yes, about that." He leans back as the waitress brings them their food.
Tori waits until the dishes are placed in front of them before continuing. She lowers her voice. "I hope you didn’t think I was being too forward when I kissed you that day."
Dr. Adrian watches her.
She picks up her spoon to eat her soup.
"Tori, I want you to know that was a nice kiss."
"It was? Oh, good." She’s relieved. "I worried maybe you thought I was coming on too strong."
"In fact, I think you're a very pretty woman."
"Thank you." She sets her spoon down. She doesn't want to be slurping soup while he's saying romantic things like this.
"You have a kind nature. And in the harsh world we live in, that's no small thing. "
She puts her hand over her heart. "What a sweet thing to say. You have a kind nature too."
"It’s one of the reasons I hope we can be good friends."
She’s still smiling, but her stomach drops. "Good friends?"
"I’m new to the area and haven’t made many friends yet. Basically everyone I know is through my sister."
She tries to make sense of this. "I thought, or I hoped, that you and I would be more than friends."
Dr. Adrian shifts uncomfortably. "That’s not possible."
"It’s not?"
"I need to tell you something." He takes a deep breath. Finally, he leans forward and blurts out, "René isn't a she but a he ."
"What?"
He chuckles, glancing around the restaurant. "This is kind of awkward for me. I haven't had to come out to anyone in a long time."
"Come out to anyone? What are you talking about?"
"Tori, I'm gay."
She blinks at him. For a crazy moment, she wonders if Liam’s put him up to this. "I don't know why you're saying that."
"Because it's true. I’m sorry if I’ve given you the wrong impression, but I thought you knew. I thought everyone at work knew."
She thinks of how the women are all so in love with him at the animal hospital. "No." She swallows and shakes her head. "Nobody knows that."
His eyes are kind. "I've been openly gay my whole adult life. I came out to my family years ago, as a teenager."
She stares at him, but all she can see is the beautiful future she’d built for the two of them exploding into smithereens. There'll be no walks on the beach with their dogs. No picnics in the park. And worst of all, no cozy sweater Christmas cards.
"I'm very lucky," he continues. "I have a great family, and they've always supported me no matter what."
Tori's always supported gay people too, but she doesn't want to support this. She doesn't want him to be gay. "This isn't true. It can't be."
"It is. I'm very comfortable with who I am."
"But what about the look you gave me? What about that?"
He seems confused. "The look?"
"Yes, the look !" Hysteria rises within her. "When we first met. You were checking me out!"
"Tori, I don't know what you're talking about."
She tries to stay calm as she explains how when they were first introduced, his eyes were on her face, but then they dropped to her chest. "How else was I supposed to interpret that?"
He nods. "I think I do remember it now."
"And? How do you explain it?"
His tone is gentle—his veterinarian voice. She recognizes it from when he's dealing with a dog or cat in pain. "I was looking at the name embroidered on your smock."
She stares at him. "My name ?"
"I have a hard time remembering people's names, so I try and use visual cues to help me."
"You weren't checking me out?"
"No, I wasn't." He leans forward, his voice still gentle. "But it doesn't change the fact that I think you're a very pretty wom—"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." She leans back in her chair. "I can't believe this is happening."
"I hope we can still be friends."
She nods. She's certain Dr. Adrian is a great friend, but it's not exactly what she imagined here. "I feel dumb. I'm so embarrassed."
"Please don't be. Like I said, I'm flattered."
Tori glances around the restaurant. She wanted this perfect guy to be the one. She wanted the fantasy of Dr. Adrian.
Tears well up in her eyes. Why couldn't things have worked out for once?
He looks at her with sympathy .
"You don't know what it's like out there," she says, trying not to cry. "It's really hard. There are a lot of jerks."
"Tell me about it." He sighs. "Believe me, I do know. I've dated my share of them too."
Her brows go up. "You have?"
"Of course."
She takes this in. "I guess you would know, wouldn't you?"
He nods.
She wipes the tear that slips from the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry you've had to deal with jerks." She smiles a little. "That's why I like you so much. I can tell you're not one."
"I appreciate that. It means a lot coming from you. And I can tell you're great as well."
"Thanks," she murmurs and then smiles.
"Let's finish our lunch," he says, still using his veterinarian voice. "Does that sound okay?"
She nods and picks up her soup spoon. She's not hungry anymore, but has to get through this lunch somehow without further embarrassing herself.
When the lunch is over and they’re at the cash register, Dr. Adrian insists on paying.
"You don't have to do that. I can pay."
"I want to. Please let me." He puts his hand on her arm. "Let's do this again soon. I meant what I said. I’d like to be friends."
She nods. "That would be nice." What else can she say? He's a great guy, and eventually he'll make some man a wonderful husband.
"Are you working later?" he asks.
She shakes her head. "Not until tomorrow."
"Okay, then I'll see you in the morning." He gives her a brief hug, and she pats his shoulder.
They head out of the restaurant. She's borrowing Blair's Honda again, and when she leaves the parking lot, she winds up right behind Dr. Adrian in his midnight blue Tesla.
A sigh of regret escapes her over that car. She's always imagined herself breezing around in it, Prince Charming at her side.
This sucks.
Tori decides to go home and work on her brother's website, to put all this out of her mind. She's volunteering at the no-kill animal shelter tonight. She also needs to check on her mom, who usually calls ten times a day but only called once earlier asking her to stop by after work.
As usual, her schedule is packed with a million things. She has a hard time saying no to people.
First she goes to Starbucks for a pick-me-up. She doesn't bother with a cinnamon vanilla almond milk latte anymore. No point in that.
Blair texts her while she's waiting in line for her green tea lemonade, but Tori doesn't answer, not ready to share her humiliation with anyone.
And to make this whole thing worse, Liam was right about everything. He knew she and Dr. Adrian were doomed from the start.
It figures.
Taking her drink, she has every intention of driving home but somehow winds up near his neighborhood instead.
There’s no way Liam's there.
Not now.
Not in the middle of the day.
But then she remembers his injured knee and how he's been working from home all week.
She doesn't know what's gotten into her, but she grips the steering wheel and turns sharply onto his street, adrenaline spiking through her.
To hell with it.
If it’s all going down in flames, then I’m going to burn with it.
She parks across the street from his house. He always has two cars in his driveway, his black truck and a four-door sedan that looks like a government car, and she sees them both.
Her heart pounds as she approaches his front door. What are you doing? she asks herself. But she keeps walking until she's standing right on his porch ringing the bell.
She tries to breathe.
Her heart’s galloping.
She hears Miss Fancy Pants bark inside the house and bites her lip.
Maybe he isn't home.
Maybe this is a bad idea.
Maybe I've lost my mind.
When the door opens, she nearly moans at the sight of him. His black hair and rich brown eyes. He's wearing navy sweats and a gray T-shirt with the name of some local baseball team on it.
His hair is damp, and it looks like he's just taken a shower. She can even smell the soap.
"Tori?"
"Hi."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She tries to keep her voice steady. "Can you invite me inside for a minute?"
His brows draw together as his gaze flickers over her. "Sure." He opens the door farther.
Miss Fancy Pants is there with her tail wagging, and her paws go up on Tori's shin. She can feel the weight of Liam's curiosity as she bends over to pet the little dog. "Hi, sweetie. It's good to see you too."
Finally she stands and faces him, her pulse still racing.
He scratches his jaw where dark stubble has grown in. It's obvious he's trying to figure out why she's here. "Did I forget you were pet sitting today?"
"No."
"Then why are you—"
She grabs his neck and pulls him down to her, kissing him .
He makes a noise in the back of his throat, but it's nothing like the startled squeak Dr. Adrian made.
It's a growl.
And it sounds approving.
In an instant, his strong arms wrap around her, pulling her tight against him.
All the time she's wasted denying this attraction, this chemistry, how much she wants him.
She's done with that.
"God, Tori," he breathes, coming up for air. "What's happened?"
"Don't talk," she says, pulling him in again. "Not a word."
The two of them go crazy on each other while standing in the foyer, filling it with the hot sounds of them making out.
But then he pulls away. "Come on." He takes her hand in his larger one. He's still limping, she notices. Still wearing the brace on his leg as he leads her over to the lumpy sofa.
"Talk to me," he says, sitting on it.
She admires his body without an ounce of guilt. So freeing. The T-shirt's thin material shows off the muscular outline of his shoulders and chest. The strong line of each bicep in his arms stands out.
Boldly, she sits on his lap, straddling him, and he doesn't stop her. Instead, he exhales sharply when she presses her center right against his hard-on.
She grips the back of his neck to pull him closer. "I don't want to talk."
"I get that," he murmurs.
She tries to kiss him again, but he holds her back. "Tell me what's happened. I want to know."
"Everything is fine. Better than fine."
"Something's obviously changed."
She puts her mouth to his ear and whispers, "Let's talk after." Then she sinks her teeth into his neck.
He gasps. His whole body shudders.
Something breaks loose in him. One hand moves up to grab a fistful of her hair as his mouth slides over to cover hers. Their tongues move together with heat, just like their bodies. His hands slide under her hoodie, then under her tank top, onto bare skin.
"Do you have any kind of protection?" she asks, figuring there's only one direction this is headed.
He leans his head back on the couch, his breath unsteady, as he considers her. " God , look at you." He caresses her neck and collarbone. "So beautiful."
She blinks, stunned at the compliment. It's the last thing she expected from him. She must be more of an emotional wreck than she thought, because her throat closes up and she turns her head away, trying to hide how much she’s affected.
"Thank you," she finally manages.
"Are you really okay? Is this about your lunch date?"
It figures he'd remember that. She doesn't want to talk about it, but it spills out anyway. "I feel so stupid."
"You're not stupid." Liam’s eyes are steady on hers. "Sometimes we don't want to see the truth."
"I guess I should have listened to you."
"Is that why you came here?"
She leans in close and gives him a teasing smile. "I came here to use you for sex. Can't you tell?"
His gaze flickers over her body. "Mmm… interesting."
"You and I are going to have a hot and dirty fling today."
He slides his hands beneath the material of her skirt, stroking her legs. It's so good that she wants to purr like a cat. "And what happens after that?" he rumbles.
"Nothing." She splays her hands across the hard wall of his chest, delighted that she gets to touch him like this, that for one afternoon she has complete ownership.
His brows furrow. "What do you mean, nothing?"
She shrugs. "I mean we go our separate ways."
The hands stroking her legs stop. There's a frown on that bitable mouth .
"You're serious," he says, staring at her.
"Yes, I'm serious." She gives him a flirty smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Come on, Liam, are you really complaining? I'm offering you no-strings sex."
"And you think I'd be happy with that?"
"Why wouldn't you be?"
He's silent, studying her.
She tries not to roll her eyes. Nothing with him is ever simple. She runs her hands over his shoulders and then down his powerful arms, enjoying the solid feel of him. She can't remember the last time she's been this strongly attracted to anyone. "Do you really have to make this so complicated? Most guys would be thrilled."
He's clearly not thrilled though. "I'm not most guys."
"I just thought we'd have some fun. Forget about the past for a day, forget about everything. Get this out of our systems."
"I can't do that."
"Why?"
He only shakes his head.
She stares at him in amazement. "What are you saying? Are you turning me down?"
He doesn't reply, but he doesn't have to, because it's obvious that's exactly what he's doing. Her face burns. She can't believe this is happening.
" Fine ." Angrily, she pushes herself off him, though she still needs his shoulder for balance until she's on her feet. She adjusts her skirt with a clumsy movement.
A wave of humiliation washes over her that's oddly reminiscent of when he poured that milkshake on her years ago.
"Just so you know, I've never thrown myself at a guy like this in my life." She glares at him. "So don't go getting the wrong idea about me."
She closes her eyes and tries to ground herself, but it's hard. It's like she can't get a foothold.
When she opens them, he's still watching her .
"In fact, this was a one-time offer only."
He still doesn't reply, but it doesn't matter. She's mortified at his rejection. This whole day has been nothing but a series of embarrassments. All she wants to do is go home, binge-watch Netflix, and bury herself in a vat of coconut milk ice cream.
She turns to leave, but Liam's hand flies out and grabs hers before she can get away.
"Hey!" she says, jerking back. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Don't go."
"Why?"
He licks his lower lip. “Because I've changed my mind."