CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Liam

 

I was determined to do everything right. I repeated the steps in my head like I was memorizing a recipe. A spoonful of affection, a cup of chivalry, a dash of romance. I worked my way through dinner prep in a bubble, only coming out occasionally to give instructions to Justin or his father.

When Maggie got back from her walk with her mom, I was ready. I met her at the door with a glass of her favourite red wine and kissed the top of her forehead. She blinked, surprised, and thanked me before taking a sip. I felt her eyes on my back as I returned to the kitchen. Once there, I watched discreetly as she walked into the dining room and saw the table.

“Oh, wow. You did this?” she asked, looking at me.

I’d found her nicest dishes and set the table, taking care of everything so she’d just be able to relax and enjoy dinner. I had carefully moved the puzzle to the very edge and boxed the loose pieces without ruining her system. I smiled and pulled a chair out for her. Again, she looked at me in surprise. Five points.

I served the food, a sliced roast served over an arugula salad. The perfect compromise between Maggie’s father’s craving for red meat, her mother’s desire for salad, and the suffocating heat outdoors. Justin and I chatted through most of the meal, but I kept an eye on Maggie. Every once in a while, I’d catch her throwing me a thoughtful look. It couldn’t be that easy, could it?

When we were done eating, Justin immediately stood up and started clearing the table.

“This is ridiculous. This is my house. I can do something,” Maggie protested.

“Our house,” I said, smiling at her.

“That’s what I meant,” she mumbled, and then shut up and took another sip of wine.

Mrs. Grant got up to help Justin and Mr. Grant turned to me.

“How was your poker game last night?” he asked.

I lit up, surprised he’d remembered.

“It was great. Thanks for asking. I won the table. First time I’d done that in months,” I said.

I couldn’t remember the last time someone had remembered some trivial thing about me like that. It felt good.

“Yeah, he was in a great mood last night,” Maggie said mischievously.

I reached over and squeezed her arm, rolling my eyes at her for her dad’s benefit. Before I could take my hand away, she took in her own and held it for a moment. I could feel the electricity pass between us, and I simultaneously wanted to pull away and stay like that forever. I mentally ran through the reasons why I couldn’t touch her and was pissed to discover they still held strong.

I gently pulled away and stood up.

“I’m going to go pack up the leftovers so your folks have lunch for the road tomorrow.”

Maggie’s dad looked up, pleased. I made my way into the kitchen, but not before hearing him say to his daughter, “I like that one. You chose good.”

*

About an hour later, I walked Justin to the door, following him outside and to his car. I could tell he’d been anxious to get at me all night, so I figured it was best to have it out right away.

“Spit it out,” I said.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked.

“I bumped into Maggie the other day, and while we were chatting she got the call from her folks. I offered to help her out.”

“So there’s nothing going on between you?” he asked, disbelieving.

“There’s nothing going on between us,” I said.

He looked at me for a moment, then nodded, satisfied.

“But I want there to be.”

He reared up and I could see his hand itching to make a fist.

“Relax, man, I don’t want to screw her. I like her. I mean, I really like her. I haven’t so much as looked at another woman since I met her. Well, not really, anyway,” I added, remembering that unfortunate incident in the parking lot of Elena’s.

Justin didn’t relax his stance, but he didn’t make a move towards me, either. So I figured it was safe to carry on.

“I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. I don’t know what it is. But I want to find out.”

“She’s too good for you.”

I laughed.

“You think I don’t know that?”

“Then what makes you think you’ve got a shot? You’re a player, Liam. She sees through that bullshit.”

I clenched my jaw, willing myself not to say anything I’d regret. This was Maggie’s brother. And he had every right to come to that conclusion. I’d provided him with enough ammunition.

“I didn’t say I had a shot. But damned if I’m not going to try. Your sister? She makes me want to do better. Be better. She makes me want to be the kind of guy she deserves.”

Justin just stood there, staring at me.

“Do you love her?” he asked.

I was silent for a minute.

“If you’d asked me that yesterday, I’d have said no. Now? I don’t know, man. I really don’t fucking know. I’ve never been in love.”

“I’m not on your team here. But by the same token, I won’t get in the middle. You’re both adults.”

“Fair enough,” I said.

He nodded once, got into his car, and drove away. I turned around and went back inside.