Page 19 of Izzy and Her Off-Limits Love

I glance at Liam, who nods his head firmly. “I’m good. I’m staying with a friend.”

Frienddoesn’t come close to encompassing my feelings for Liam, but it seems like the safest word choice right now. I’d prefernotto be featured as a “hot news” segment on Frank the barber’s famous Oakley TikTok account.

“How long did they say this will take?” I ask.

“That’s a good question. At least a few days. I’ll let you know. And look for money in your Venmo for clothes and whatever else you need. Okay, bye!” Sadie hangs up so quickly I don’t get a chance to ask any more questions.

Like—a few days? Really?

I slide my phone back into my purse and shake my head. “So, I guess this is happening.”

Liam stares up at the giant yellow building. “It looks like your building is wearing a raincoat.”

I laugh. “Yeah, it really does. This is totally ridiculous. I didn’t think these things were real outside of movies.”

“Think they’re actually fumigating? Or maybe just making meth?”

My head whips to him. “What?”

“Did you not watchBreaking Bad?”

“No. I loved Brian Cranston inMalcolm in the Middle. I didn’t want to ruin my image of him as Hal by watching him deal drugs.”

Liam chuckles. “Probably a good call.” He glances at his watch. “Should we head to my place?”

“Are you sure? If Sadie is offering to pay, I really could just stay in a hotel.”

“Like I’d send you to a hotel. No way. I’ve got you, Iz.”

I know he meansI’ve got youlikeI’ll provide your accommodations for the evening, but I like the sound of those words far too much. “Well, then, let’s go. Should I follow you?”

“I’ve only got one reserved spot, and street parking is terrible. Want to just leave it? My place is only ten minutes, so I can always drive you back to get your car. Or you could let me play the role of weekend hostandpersonal chauffeur. I’ve even got some clothes you can sleep in.”

Sleeping. In Liam’s apartment. In Liam’s clothes.

The mere idea of it all has my skin feeling too tight. Like my reflexes are still warning me to abort whatever is happening and run far, far away. I’ve been protecting myself from my feelings for Liam for so long, it’s hard to make myself stop. Like trying to fight muscle memory.

But without Natasha in the picture and with Liam being flirty and talking about the next time we have dinner … maybe it’s time to try.

Armed with only my purse,a few toiletries I grabbed at CVS, and a nervous flutter in my stomach, I find myself stepping inside Liam’s apartment.

“Come on in,” he says, opening the door wide and ushering me in. “And please forgive the boxes. I’ve gotten a few things unpacked, but … I haven’t had a lot of time.”

Where my place has all the charm and character of old Savannah architecture and sometimes iffy heat during the winter, Liam’s apartment is in a shiny new building that still smells like fresh paint. I love my place, but there are definitely perks to a building like this. Like the gym we passed downstairs, the secure garage parking as opposed to my challenging street parking, and the view.

I walk right to the giant windows overlooking an old church and part of the city. If I angle my head just so, I can see a sliver of the Savannah River.

“Wow. This place is awesome.”

Liam comes to stand beside me. Only a low light in the kitchen is on behind us, and our reflections are shadows against the glass, standing side by side.

“You like it?” He sounds a little self-conscious, and I lean closer until my shoulder bumps his arm.

“I really do.”

I turn back to the apartment. There’s still no decor, but the furniture is arranged. A low leather sofa and several chairs in the living room, then a long table just off the kitchen I immediately recognize as one of my dad’s river tables. I run my hand along the smooth wood, tracing the blue swirl that cuts through the center. “I didn’t realize you had one of these.”

“First thing I bought as soon as I could afford one,” Liam says.

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