Page 104 of The Wedding Engagement

The bedroom door was open, and the sound of water runningcame from the en suite. He grabbed the pillow—and Liv’s T-shirt—and when he turned, Jess was standing in the doorway of the bathroom, wearing only her underwear.

“Fucking hell,” he said, covering his eyes and turning for the door, rushing in his discomfort.

“Wait,” she called after him. “Where are you going?”

“To sleep on the sofa,” he said, unable to suppress his pissed-off tone. “You didn’t think I was going to sleep here with you, did you?”

Her lack of response said it all. He closed the door loudly behind him, then grabbed the linen and took it down to the living room, where he got under the duvet on the sofa, bringing it right over his head in an effort to cocoon himself from the painful awkwardness of the evening.

—

Saturday morning breakfast was notgoing well for Liv. Sam was talking but she couldn’t take anything in.

He paused, eyeing her. “Liv?”

“Mm-hmm?” Her mind was on the series of intimate messages she and Arran had been sending over the past few days.

Sam shot her a knowing look, and she guessed Maya had told him about the Arran-related developments. He glanced toward the kitchen, where Tara and Angus were preparing breakfast in a very lovey-dovey, adorable manner. He leaned in. “I know what you’re thinking about. Or should I say,whoyou’re thinking about.” He shot her a grin.

She rolled her eyes. “I know that you know. Because I told Maya you were allowed to know, you know?”

He shook his head. “Maya didn’t tell me. Well, she did. But I already knew because Arran had called.”

Her ears pricked up. “And what did he say?”

Sam appeared shifty for a moment. “Don’t worry, he didn’t give me any details.” He screwed up his face. “Because that would be both weird and yuck.”

Liv punched his arm. “Plus, it’s none of your biz.”

“Yeah, I know,” he said rubbing his arm and poking his tongue out at her. He settled back in his seat. “How do you feel about him?”

She paused, taken off guard. “Strongly. But I’m not sure he feels the same.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Why not?”

Her heart felt heavy in her chest. “He hasn’t said anything. Hasn’t indicated any clue about whether he’s thinking this is casual or something else.”

Sam fiddled with his mug. “I think it’s the latter.”

She gave him a nudge, her hopes rising. “How do you know?”

“I just do. The way he’s behaved. How he was pining for you after the Skye trip. The way he spoke about you when he told me.”

Pining for her? Her heart warmed at the idea that he could like her enough to pine, but then she was needled with guilt at the thought of his being forlorn. “Did he actually tell you that helikelikes me? That he wants a relationship?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it again. “Not in so many words, no.” Her disappointment must’ve been obvious, because he grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Trust me, Liv. I know him.”

She sighed. “What about all that stuff he’s said over the past year? That he doesn’t want another serious relationship. Plus, he always gave off the impression that if Jess wanted to rekindle things, he’d jump at the chance.”

Sam shook his head. “That was before. It’s been different since the New Year. And I reckon that’s to do with you.”

To do with me?Her heart rose at the thought that he might feel something deeper for her. He’d told her that although he missedbeing a family with Jess, he didn’t miss her as a person. Surely that meant he’d finally moved on. And yet, she was still flooded with panic at the idea that he might want to rekindle with Jess if the opportunity arose. Would things be different if Jess wanted to get back together?

Sam took her hand. “Listen. You were there for me while I was with Cat.” He gave a little shudder as he said her name. “Then it was your wisdom that guided me onto the right path with Maya.” Liv raised her eyebrows at him when he uttered the wordwisdom, and he shot her a grin. “Don’t give me shit for admitting you’re the wise one, or I’ll steal all your stuffed animals.” That was the kidding-around threat he used to use when they were younger, and unlike back then—when she’d burst into tears and punch his arm—this time it made her smile. “Anyway,” he continued. “You need to letmehelp you now. It’s your turn to get some support.” His voice became a little strained. “You said you wouldn’t hold stuff back from me anymore, when we spoke before Christmas. But I know you have been.”

Her heart sank to her feet, weighed down by guilt. “Sam—”

He held his hand up. “It’s okay. Don’t apologize or feel bad. I’m not pressuring you. When you’re ready to talk, I’m here.”

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