knit cap, somehow making him look sexy and roguish. At least he’s wearing it because it’s cold and not as a fashion statement. Something is slung over his shoulder. A guitar case. He’s tall. Much taller than I am. And strong; he picked me up off the ground and carried me to the car.
He’s the opposite of Corey. My ex has dark hair, dark eyes, is well under six feet, and can’t be over a hundred-and-fifty pounds, soaking wet. My heart hurts thinking about him. How can someone still love a man who cheated on her?
Liam spots me and waves. I move toward him. His long legs eat up the distance in a few strides.
“How’s the little Mrs.?” he asks with a smirk.
I give him the stink eye.
“What? I’m joking. But you have to admit, it was pretty funny they thought we were married.”
“I thought for a minute you believed I was some crazy fangirl when you asked if I told them I was your wife.”
He looks guilty. “I may have thought that, but that was before I got to know you.”
“Oh, so you know me now? After two conversations?”
“Are you kidding? You’re my best friend, El.”
I’m confused by his behavior.
“Since we met I’ve composed two songs. Two songs in four days! At this rate, I’ll have our fourth album finished by late spring.”
“Oh, right. I’m your muse,” I say, unconvinced. “Tell me something. How does a girl who fell flat on her face in front of you, and in your own words, grew a second head out of my temple, inspire you?”
“Beats the hell out of me. But who am I to question the inner workings of the universe?”
“You think meeting me was destiny or something?”
He shrugs.
“But I’m unavailable, Liam, emotionally and physically.”
“I get it. And the thing is—so am I. That’s why I have a proposal for you.”
I step back. “I’m not being anyone’s fuck buddy, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
He laughs loudly. “I assure you, that’s not what I want.” He motions to a bench. “Can we sit for a minute?” He carefully places his guitar case next to him.
“Do you carry it everywhere?” I ask.
“No. What do you do for a living, El?”
“What does it matter?”
“Are you a waitress? A teacher? Lieutenant governor?”
I chuckle. “Wrong on all counts. I’m a children’s book illustrator.”
He cocks his head. “Well, that I didn’t expect. I’ve never known a book illustrator before.”
“I’ve never known a rock star.”
“Touché,” he says, amused. “This job of yours, is it flexible?”
I nod. “That’s part of the reason I love it so much. I make my own hours, take on as much or as little as I want, and I work from home.”
A smile the size of New York City splits his face. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He unzips the guitar case and pulls out a shiny brown twelve-string guitar, handling it as if it’s a newborn baby. “I want to play something for you.”
Suddenly I’m excited. “I’m all ears.”
He fishes a guitar pick out of his pocket and strums. I’m mesmerized by the sound and entranced by the way his fingers grace the strings. The way he plays is elegant and passionate. It’s like the guitar is an extension of him. His eyes close, and he plays without looking.
I’m amazed at his talent. Before this moment, I was sure there was no one in love with their job more than me. Looking at him, I know I’m wrong. He was obviously made for this.
It’s only a melody, and it doesn’t sound like a love song, yet it makes me feel so much emotion. If I weren’t hung up on the rat bastard, I might even be aroused by what I’m hearing, what I’m seeing. By the sheer intensity exuding from his every pore as he gives it everything he has for his audience of one.
His eyes open as the song winds down. It’s not until he stops playing and people start clapping that I realize onlookers stopped to listen. He gives them a nod and puts his guitar away.
“Wow,” I say. “That was … I actually don’t have the words.”
“That was because of you,” he says, weaving the guitar pick between his fingers so quickly, it’s hard for me to follow it.
“But how? I didn’t do anything.”
“Like I said, I’m not about to question it. But I’m sure as hell not going to ignore it.” He stops the thing he’s doing with the pick and looks up. “Ella, I’m just going to