“Been hard at work all morning. I actually don’t think the repairs are going to be too bad. I think the smoke just made it look worse than it was.”
My shoulders relaxed, releasing the tension I hadn’t realized they’d been carrying since the night before. “That is a huge relief. Thank you so much for doing this.”
A hint of pink touched the apples of Liam’s cheeks. “No problem. Like I said, you’re really doing me a favor by giving me a bit of purpose.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. “Well, thank you anyway.”
Liam flipped his cell phone between his fingers in intricate patterns that would have had my phone crashing to the floor and shattering into a thousand pieces. “Listen, I was wondering…would you want to grab dinner with me tonight?”
The muscles that had relaxed tightened again. “I’m sorry, I can’t.” I hated the words the minute they left my mouth.
Liam’s brow furrowed. “How about another night?”
I fisted the edge of my apron. “I, um, don’t date.” It was the most truthful statement I could come up with.
Liam’s eyes searched mine. His look was warm and compassionate, yet searching for something. “All right. Well, you let me know if that ever changes. I should have your car ready for you in a few days.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. I’d been preparing myself for anger, or at the very least, frustration. I shuddered at what Garrett would have done if I ever told him no. Guilt flooded me. Liam was not Garrett. I had to stop assuming the worst. I could be cautious and prepared without thinking that every man in the world was a Garrett in the making.
“Okay.” The word came out on a whisper. “Thank you for asking me.” I couldn’t hold his stare as I said it, opting for the riveting view of the floor instead.
“Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?”
I looked back up, the warmth in Liam’s eyes holding me captive. “Right.”
He knocked on the edge of the counter. “I’ll see you in a few days.”
“Okay.” I watched as he walked out, realizing that he didn’t get his snack. I started to follow when my gaze caught on a figure across the street, one in a ballcap. My breathing and heart seemed to stop. He was staring right through the windows of the shop.No, no, no.I blinked my eyes a few times as my hands fisted.Garrett?Similar build, but I couldn’t see his face. My breathing started again but came in rapid pants.
The figure turned and waved to a woman heading towards him. I stilled my trembling hands against my legs. Not Garrett. Just a tourist in a baseball cap. I needed to get a grip.
12
Liam
The bell sounded as I pushed open the door to The Tea Kettle. Jensen and Tessa looked up from the sheet of paper they were studying on the counter. Jensen grinned. “Back for more?”
Seeing that the café was mostly empty, I pulled off my ballcap. “I’m hoping those chocolate potato chip cookies made it onto the menu.” My gaze met Tessa’s. There was a little hint of pink on her cheeks. So fucking adorable. “And I wanted to update Tessa about her car.”
Jensen looked from me to Tessa, and her grin widened. “Well, you’ll be happy to know the chocolate potato chip cookies were a hit. I think you’re making those next, right, Tessa?”
Tessa wrapped and unwrapped the string of her apron around her finger. “They should be ready in about an hour if you’re going to stick around.”
“I was going to hang out and work for a bit, this place has some good creative mojo.” More like Tessa had some good creative mojo, but I didn’t think admitting that would work in my favor. And I needed all the help I could get. I tightened my grip on the battered notebook in my hand. I’d gotten an email from my label that morning, asking when I thought I’d be ready to get back in the studio. Since all I had was the flicker of one song, I wasn’t thinking anytime soon.Fuck.I needed the music to start flowing again.
Jensen broke my downward spiral of thoughts. “You’re welcome to work here.”
“Thanks.” I looked back at Tessa. “I also wanted to let you know that they had to order a few parts for your car, so it’s going to take a bit longer than I thought.” A flash of worry filled Tessa’s expression before she covered it. “I could take you to get a rental car if that would help.”
Tessa shook her head. “No, I’ll be fine. Thanks again for doing this for me.”
“It’s no problem. Like I said, you’re giving me something to do.” Something other than slamming my head against a wall, trying to write.
Tessa studied me, a bit of curiosity tinging her gaze. “Aren’t you working on your music?”
“I’m trying to.” I wasn’t quite ready to admit what a total failure I’d been on that front lately. “But it helps to have something else to work on when I’m writing, especially a project using my hands. But even just a change of scenery can help.”
Tessa nodded. “Well, good luck with it. I better get that dough made.”
