Page 2 of Izzy and Her Off-Limits Love

“I’ll be there,” I say a little too brightly. “Tomorrow night, right?”

Alisa confirms, promising to text me the address, then we say goodbye, and I end the call.

I can’t stomach going back to my cubicle just yet, so I slump down on the top step, dropping my head to my knees.

I really do need to get over this.

Liam even brought a girlfriend home for family Christmas last year. Aseriousgirlfriend, if my observations were correct. Do I need any more evidence that the two of us are never going to happen?

I close my eyes and force myself to remember the way they looked all snuggled up together on the couch. Holding hands. Even kissing. I mean, technically, I only saw them kissonce, but once was more than enough. My stomach still churns when I remember.

Of course, I’ve always believed Liam had to be dating over the years. He is dateable in all the very best ways. But there’s a difference betweenknowingLiam had girlfriends and actually having to meet one.

Since last Christmas, the family has gone radio silent on the topic.

Suspiciouslysilent.

After years of teasing me about my crush and trying to push us together, they’ve just …stopped.And Liam has all but completely disappeared. As far as I know, he hasn’t been home from New York in the past year at all. Fourth of July.Thanksgiving. Birthday dinners. He’s missed them all. Naomi keeps insisting he’s just working a lot, but I’m not an idiot. New York isn’tthatfar away. This is just my family trying to protect my feelings and sparing me the torture of hearing them say Liam is actually meeting his girlfriend’s family in the Poconos.

Or wherever else it is people go for family holidays.

“He’s probably going to propose,” I say out loud into the empty stairwell, the words echoing off the gray walls.

It isn’t the first time I’ve had the thought. In fact, I’ve been forcing myself to consider it, even going so far as to practice what I’ll say to Liam as soon as I hear the news.

I’m so happy for you both!

Congratulations!

How exciting!

If she happens to disappear under mysterious circumstances, how would you feel about having me as a replacement?

Okay, maybe not that last one. Especially because, if they really are engaged, the next time I see Liam, they’ll probably be together.

Or worse—maybe he’ll bring her to the family gathering and propose to her there, a big public celebration, with all of his family present to share in their joy.

Even Olympic levels of mental training won’t keep me from bursting into tears if Liam proposes to Natasha in front of me.

Taking a few deep breaths, I locate my optimism and dust it off. It’s a little bruised and battered, but it still exists.Come on, optimism, don’t fail me now. It’s Christmas!

I make a mental list of things to be grateful for.

I have a job. It’s just basic admin work, far from my goal of running my own nonprofit, but it’s a good stepping stone, giving me experience I’ll hopefully use down the road.

I have a sweet apartment in the historic district that’s rent-free, thanks to my aunt Sadie. Years ago, this was her place. She bought the building as an investment once she married my Uncle Benedict. He’s got money to spare and loves investing it in property. And also loves giving freely to family members like me—a recent college grad with an entry-level job.

I also have someone to hang out with in this new city. As different as Alisa and I are, she’s fun and easy to be around. Even if she has questionable ideas on what makes a relationship hot?—

“I thought that was you.”

A deep voice—a familiar one—startles me, and I turn to see the last person I would expect to appear in my office stairwell grinning at me in a way that makes my stomach swoop.

“Liam?”

TWO

Liam

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