Page 8 of Izzy and Her Off-Limits Love

She knows me too well. “I’ll be there.”

“Stop sounding so disappointed. It’s not like I’m going to force you to sing ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You.’ Unless you want to. Then I’ll totally be your backup singer.”

“I’m not going to sing.”

“It’s karaoke,” Alisa says. “Of course you’re going to sing.”

“You’re singing?”

I jolt in my chair at the sound of Liam’s voice—especially because of his proximity. How did he get across the room without me knowing? Oh—right. I had my eyes squeezed closed.

Unfortunately, my jerky movement puts our faces even closer together. He’s leaning over my shoulder, one big hand flat on the conference room table.

Have his eyes always been that gorgeous hazel? Has he always smelled this good? Has his presence always sucked all the air right out of my lungs?

A delayed sense of self-preservation hits, and I push my feet against the floor, shoving my rolling chair in the opposite direction from Liam. A little too hard, and my chair crashes into the wall.

Too late, I glance up and see Shaun watching through the conference room window. He scurries away when I glare.

“I’ve got to go.” I hang up on whatever Alisa is saying and stand on wobbly legs.

“Sorry,” Liam says, not looking sorry at all. “I couldn’t help but overhear. Given our close quarters.”

Yes, Liam. I’m all too aware of our close quarters.

I push the rolling chair away from the wall, scooting it back where it belongs while also keeping it between Liam and me.

“It’s fine.” Averting my eyes, I shut the work-issued laptop my boss reluctantly gave me for this project and grab my bag. “But I’ve got to head out. I’m meeting a friend.”

His expression shifts a little, but I can’t quite read it. He’s new in town, and he didn’t grow up right across the bridge on Oakley like I did. At least after elementary school. Does he evenhavefriends in Savannah?

But then I think of Natasha and how, even in an ugly Christmas sweater, she still managed to look hot at last year’s Christmas Eve dinner.

Liam probably has all kinds of fancy friends as shiny and polished as his glittery, perfect fiancée.

He certainly doesn’t need me to share mine.

But I still find myself saying, “Alisa. We’re doing Christmas karaoke. More like she’s forcing me to do Christmas karaoke.”

Liam’s face blooms into something way too enthusiastic for what I’ve just said. “Awesome. Can I tag along? I’d love to meet some people in the city. Or is this a girls-only thing?”

I wish I could say it is and then bolt out of here. But there will be a whole big group of people, mostly Alisa’s friends, in attendance.

But having Liam come out with us? Not only would it be one of those awkward past-meeting-present moments, but after an entire day of measuring my every movement, hyper-aware of his presence in the room, I don’t know if I can handle anything more. It’s taken all my willpower to keep my walls up today. The outfit Merritt suggested I wear—high-waisted black pants, sky-high heels, and a blouse in my favorite bright pink—has started to feel stifling, and I feel a sudden desire to go home and change.

“You know what? Don’t worry about it,” Liam says. Because I’ve taken way too long to answer him.

There’s no way to miss the disappointment in his voice.

Even if it’s beyond hard to be around him and cage my feelings, I can’t stand the idea of hurting him like this.

“No, you should come,” I say.

He shakes his head, not looking at me, and I feel like the worst person in the world. I think, in my attempts to keep a professional distance, I’ve crossed too far and have been unnecessarily cold. It’s hard to strike a balance when you’re trying not to be in love with someone.

I step closer and put a tentative hand on his arm. I’m only touching his sleeve, but I swear the heat from him singes offmy fingertips. I’ll be able to commit any crime now without ever being caught.

“Please come, Liam.” His eyes snap to mine, and they’re so uncertain yet hopeful I want to cry. “I’m sorry I’ve been so … weird. I’m not quite sure how to act around you now.”

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