Page 15 of Not Yet Yours

“I guess you found out I own the hotel Cullen and Max got married in,” he says. I nod. “I’m sorry for lying but it feels so braggy saying we can do what we like because it’s my hotel.”

“It’s ok,” I say. “I get it. It would have been pretty cringe at the moment.”

“And to answer your question, no, I don’t own this hotel. My Aunt Dorothy decided against using one of my hotels that she wouldn’t have had to pay for in favor of this one,” Liam says.

“Wow. How bad is yours that she didn’t even want it for free?” I tease him.

“It makes you wonder, doesn’t it,” Liam says with a laugh. “No seriously, I get why she wanted this one. It’s so close to the venue. My nearest one from here is like a forty-minute drive away.”

“Ah yeah, that is a bit far to drive after a party isn’t it,” I agree. “How many hotels do you own? Or is that too cringe of a question?”

“No, it’s fine,” Liam smiles. “About three hundred right now, I think. They’re all over the states and I’m looking to expand into other countries within the next few years.”

“Well, if you need a fake girlfriend to come and look at all of these exotic locations with you, I’m most likely available,” I laugh.

“Don’t laugh. I might hold you to that,” he says.

“Great. No backsies get me again,” I say. Liam frowns in confusion and I laugh. “It’s just something Max and I say when one of us agrees to something and then tries to wriggle out of it.”

“Ah ok. No backsies then,” Liam says. I stick my tongue out at him. “Real mature.”

“Well, you only asked for a fake girlfriend. If you want mature, you have to ask for a fake wife,” I say.

“Nah I’ll take the fun girlfriend any day,” Liam says.

“No backsies,” I say quickly, and we both laugh.

I don’t know why I thought things would be weird with Liam and me. Even when he first picked me up it was fine. He wound me up about how much luggage I might have and then he was pleasantly surprised to see I had only one medium-sized bag, which I think is perfectly acceptable for a full weekend away. On the way here, we chatted about all kinds of things and again, there wasn’t anything awkward about it, not even when we were lulled into quiet moments between topics. I am actually glad I agreed to this. If it stays this way all weekend, it’s going to be a lot of fun.

I swallow the last mouthful of my drink and Liam checks the time.

“We should be able to check in now if you’re ready,” he says.

I nod and he finishes up the last of his drink and stands up. I get up and take my glass and his bottle back to the bar. I rejoin Liam who looks at me in confusion.

“What?” I ask.

“Are you looking for a job or something?” Liam asks. “Taking the glasses to the bar.”

“Oh, it’s just habit. Until two weeks ago, I was a barista in a coffee shop, and I was always so grateful to the people who made an effort to bring their cups back when they were done so I always make a point of doing it for others when I can,” I say.

“Fair enough,” Liam says. “Why did you leave the coffee shop?”

“How do you know I left?” I say as we reach the door to the restaurant and Liam pulls it open and gestures for me togo through. I nod my thanks, step through, and wait for him to answer me.

“You said you were a barista up until two weeks ago,” Liam says.

“Oh, shit yeah I did, didn’t I?” I say with a laugh feeling a slight flush of embarrassment creeping up my neck and into my cheeks. “I started my own business.”

“Doing what?” Liam asks.

We cross the street and I try to think of a way to change the subject without Liam thinking I’m being a dick. I can’t think of anything and by the time we reach the other side of the street, the pause has been long enough for it to be weird.

“What’s wrong? You look embarrassed. Have you started an Only Fans or something?” Liam grins.

“No. God no, nothing like that,” I say. Although in a way, my sculpting is similar in that I feel like I am putting myself out there bare for all to see whenever I list a new piece for sale. In some ways, I think it is more intimate than just stripping off and shaking my ass. I’m not about to say that to Liam though and have him think I’m some hippy artist type. “Actually, I make sculptures and have started selling them. I don’t tell people generally because then I get a whole lecture about how art doesn’t make anyone any money until they’re dead and how I’m wasting my time and I’ll end up back at the coffee shop within a few months.”

“Well, I was going to ask if I could see some of them, but yeah, I get what you’re saying. So many people are quick to try and kill other people’s dreams. I got the same kind of shit when I bought my first hotel. It was in desperate need of a remodel, and everyone said it would bankrupt me and I’d regret it. And that’s not even artistic. As soon as anything creative is mentioned, it’s like people just want to break your spirit. It’s as if because theyhaven’t achieved anything, they think no one else can,” Liam says.

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