A Tangled Web - R.G. Alexander Page 0,7
her own. A week’s vacation on some island where drinks were served in coconuts. If she were lucky, maybe a backyard with enough room for a dog.
There was nothing bite-sized about this place. It had five bedrooms, two gourmet kitchens—indoor and outdoor, which Liam loved—and a swimming pool with a friggin’ waterfall.
Going back to lumpy sofas and instant macaroni and cheese after this was never going to be easy.
Poor little orphan girl. So many people would love to have your problems.
She knew how lucky she was that her best friend had basically been her wish-granting genie, taking her from a nightmare and dropping her in this paradise to heal. Now she needed to be brave enough to use her last wish to set him free.
He wasn’t in the kitchen. She padded to the coffeemaker, pouring a much-needed cup before glancing out the window. Was he outside? Or had he left the house to give her space because that was just the kind of guy he was?
She wasn’t sure if she was relieved or disappointed with that idea.
“Dani.”
She whirled, hot coffee splashing onto her hand. “Damn it.”
He was there in an instant, taking the cup away and guiding her hand under the tap.
She twisted her wrist out of his grip and smiled apologetically. “Thank you, but it’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. I startled you.”
She didn’t deal well with surprises or people sneaking up behind her. There were times she still held her breath when it happened, expecting a blow. Liam knew that, like he knew everything else about her.
She put more space between them before meeting his narrowed gaze. “I’m sorry, too.”
He scowled. “We don’t have to talk about it now.”
The new Dani is brave.
“Yes, we do. And I am sorry that this morning made things weird. Especially since I wanted everything to be perfect when I told you my news.” She offered him a smile that was almost genuine. “I got something in the mail on Thursday.”
“I know.” He looked uncomfortable with the admission. “Terry called me last night.”
Well, that was anticlimactic. “You knew? Way to ruin my surprise, big mouth lawyer.”
Terry was Liam’s lawyer friend, doing a favor for her at his request. Still, she’d wanted to be the one to tell him. “Well, that’s great. And I’m officially a new woman. Sadly, they didn’t make me a year younger and three inches taller on my ID, but beggars can’t be choosers.
His expression softened. “Congratulations, Ms. Harris.”
He always knew exactly what to say. “Thank you, kind sir. I couldn’t have done it without you. And about what happened upstairs. I—”
“Let’s drop it for now, okay? Okay,” he repeated firmly before she could respond, clapping his hands together to change the subject. “Now that we’ve got that out of the way, we can really celebrate. I hope the new you still likes sangria. I’ve made a few gallons for our battle of the sexes.”
Dani pressed a hand to her forehead. “That’s tonight?”
How had she forgotten? They’d both accidentally invited people over on the same night, but decided not to change their plans. Much. Her friend Kaya and his buddy Jace weren’t exactly on speaking terms, but Dani would keep her girls’ night poolside, and Liam would have his poker party in the den. The kitchen would be neutral ground, with both sides agreeing to play nice.
“Should we cancel?” She could always convince Kaya and Bailey to meet somewhere else if he was feeling awkward about their kiss.
“Hell no, we’re not canceling.” Liam turned away from her and reached under the cabinet for a sheet pan. “I promised to make my famous ribs, and you promised to be my assistant. The ladies love my sangria and no one steps between Jace and his card game. That man takes his gambling seriously. I think he was a grifter before he learned to sauté.”
They fell into their normal rhythm, ignoring what happened this morning, as well as what her news meant for their living situation.
Was it wrong that she was okay with that?
Maybe they both needed to pretend for one last evening that nothing had changed between them. Tomorrow there would be no more hiding, but for tonight, they could be best friends again, celebrating what they’d managed to accomplish together. A new life. A second chance.
As long as she didn’t cross any more lines, everything would be fine. She might be losing him as a roommate, but she couldn’t imagine losing his friendship. Not for something as fleeting as sex, no matter how