Page 63 of Liam

Her cloudy eyes finally meet mine, and I inhale my first full breath since we sat down.

“And as selfish as it is, I don’t want to do anything to ruin that. I can’t take a chance on losing you, Addie, and I worry that taking the next step might do exactly that.”

Her blink is slow, releasing her tears, and she’s quick to wipe them away.

I reach over, settle my hands on her knees. “I’m sorry. Ireallydidn’t want to make you cry.”

She shakes her head. “They’re good tears,” she croaks.

“Yeah?”

She nods. “As far as rejections go, that was a pretty good one.”

“I don’t want you to feel rejected.”

“I don’t,” she says, sitting taller. “I was kidding. It’s kind of the opposite of rejection, actually. I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone hold me to such high praise.”

I smile. “You mean a lot to me, Adelaide Baker.”

She laughs through her tears. “Look at you, saying exactly what’s on your mind. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks.” I stand, grinning like an idiot. “I like to refer to it as The Addie Effect.”

23

Addie

Even though Liam’s rejection wasn’t really a rejection, it still stung, just a little. I’m grateful for the boxing lesson right after our conversation, because it was the perfect way to get out my emotions.

Kind of.

Unfortunately, it did nothing for my physical frustrations, because watching Liam shirtless, covered in sweat, and making damn good use of those muscles of his… well, it only heightened what he created yesterday—the female equivalent of blue balls.

Bluewalls.

Now, we’re back at the cabin. He’s already showered, and I’ve just gotten out, and I can hear him through the closed bathroom door. He’s talking, but there’s no second voice, so I assume he’s on the phone. It’s too muffled to make out what he’s saying, not that I’mtryingto. Okay, maybe I am. Whatever.

I dry off and dress quickly, then step out.

“I couldn’t give less fucks about the contract!” he almost yells. And even though it’s analmost, it’s still the loudest andmost heated I’ve ever heard him. “I’ll buy you out of contract right now. I just never want to see your ass again.” Movement, and then a muttered, “Asshole.”

I make my way to the living room, parting the curtains and sticking my head through the gap. Liam’s standing with his hands on his hips, staring down at the phone on the couch as if his glare alone can set it on fire. He lookspissed.

“Um…” With caution, I step through the curtains, asking, “Is everything okay?”

His eyes immediately find mine, softening when they do. “Yeah. Sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know why.”

“You want to talk about what happened?” I ask, motioning to his phone.

“Not really.”

“Okay. Well,”—I point over my shoulder—“I’ll just be in my lair if you do.” I turn to leave, but he captures my hand.

“Addie, wait.”

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