Page 96 of I Can't Even

“A key to her place.” Liam’s eyes were on the road ahead, and I couldn’t tell if he was avoiding my gaze or just concentrating on driving.

“Well, that’s handy,” I snapped.

Irrational much? Yeah, talk to the hand. He had a key to her place! How serious had they been?

“It was while we were dating.” Liam gave me side-eye. “Are you telling me you haven’t dated anyone long enough to have a key to their place?”

Landmine! I skirted it.

“That’s not the point,” I said. “The point is that you said you two broke up so why do you still have a key?”

“Because when I tried to give it back to her, you know, the night after I found you crying,” he said. “She refused to take it.”

“Oh,” I said. That one I could understand. If I’d been Courtney and he’d tried to give me my key back, I’d have refused it, too.

“And isn’t that a good thing?” Liam pressed.

“I suppose so,” I said.

We were silent for several miles. Unable to take it anymore, I confessed, “I didn’t date anyone for three years after I left you.”

His head swiveled in my direction and we stared at each other for a few seconds. He nodded and then turned back to the road.

“I’ve dated,” I said. “But no one special and nothing serious. I just couldn’t find anyone that made me feel the way you did.”

“And how was that?”

He glanced at me, and I shrugged. This was easy. “Loved.”

Chapter Twenty-eight

Liam opened his mouth to speak at the same time that my phone chimed. He nodded for me to answer, but said, “We’re not done with this conversation.”

I didn’t recognize the number and thought it might be a client. “Hello, Julia Blumer speaking.”

“You think you’re so clever,” Paisley said by way of greeting.

I looked at Liam with wide eyes and he frowned.

“Yes, most of the time I do think I’m quite the smarty pants, Paisley, but how does that impact your world?”

Liam’s eyes mirrored mine with the wideness and he leaned closer to hear what she was saying. I put the phone on speaker.

“You think running away is going to solve this situation just like you thought it would solve your sitch with big, tall, and hot next door all those years ago, but it won’t,” my cousin said.

“Paisley, what are you babbling about?” I asked. “I’m not running away. I merely ducked out to grab some coffee. I said good-bye to you on the way, sheesh, don’t you remember?”

It was a brazen lie, but I was hoping my sheer confidence left her bewildered enough that she bought it at least for a few minutes. I heard some music and then laughter in the background.

“Paisley, are you having a party in my house?” I asked. “Not for nothing, but I believe that’s bad form.”

Abruptly, the noise got louder, and I heard Paisley snap at someone to wipe their feet, put a coaster under their drink, and for god’s sake turn the music down. It went noticeably up in volume.

“I am not having a party, your sister is!” Paisley yelled. Liam and I exchanged surprised glances as she continued, “You had better rein that girl in—she is out of control!”

My cousin abruptly ended the call. I put my phone away and started laughing. This was awesome. Man, Em didn’t just bust out of her shell, she freaking blew it up! I hoped she managed to do the same with her feelings for her boss, because there was no way she should be pining for a married guy.

“Another Blumer sister is going rogue,” Liam said. He turned on his signal and took the next exit off the highway.

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