Page 30 of Claiming Her Cougar
“You grew up with Liam and Teagan?”
“Yeah, we went to school together.Well, I went to high school out of state, but we reconnected for college.We’re the three musketeers.”
I nod.I can see that they have a close friendship.Maybe more.
“Are you and Teagan dating?”
It’s his turn to let loose a guffaw.“Oh, God, no.She’s like one of my sisters!”He shudders.“I love her, but not like that.We’ve always just been friends.”He gives me a shrewd look.“Liam and Teagan feel the same.Just friends.”
I watch the game and think about what else I want to know.Isthere more I want to know?I can’t have a relationship with Liam.We work together.It doesn’t matter if his best friends like me or not, we’re probably never going to see each other again unless we run into each other at a future game or they come to the office holiday party.
“Do you work for Morgan Development?”I can’t consider dating Liam because we work together, but Jake is another bowl of ice cream.He’s hot, he has good taste in friends, and he’s a Flyers fan.Hell, if he was a wolf shifter, I could have his shifter babies.There’s no spark though, not like I’ve had with Liam from the moment I first saw him in that bar in Vegas.Darn.
“Nah, I work in the casino industry with Teagan.Liam is the real estate guy of our group.You’re a paralegal for Morgan?”
“Yep.”
The Wells Fargo Center erupts in cheers as the Flyers score on a power play.Jake and I cheer along with the rest of our suitemates.The game ends in a victory for the black and orange.My foursome says our goodbyes to everyone and starts the drive home from Philly.
The mood in the car is festive since we won.Liam and I are in the backseat of Logan’s Jeep with Logan and Daphne up front.
“Did you have fun?”Liam asks me as we traverse the Walt Whitman Bridge and reenter New Jersey.
“I did!I’m so glad I went.Thank you for letting me know about it and pushing me into going.”Normally, being manipulated is the fastest way to piss me off, but for once, it isn’t bothering me.I’m not going to think about what that means now.
We chat during the hour it takes to return to Daphne and Logan’s, arriving right after 11:00 p.m.It’s early enough I could make the drive home, but I don’t want to appear ungrateful for the invitation to stay over.
“Liam, do you want to come in?”Daphne asks as we get out of Logan’s Jeep.
“No, I need to get ready to hit the road in the morning.Thanks though,” he responds.
Logan claps Liam on the shoulder, and Daphne gives him a hug, wishing him a pleasant trip as they go into their house, leaving the door slightly ajar for me.
“Goodnight,” I say, smiling at Liam before turning to follow them inside.
“Um, Mallory?”Liam asks hesitantly.
“Yeah?”I stop and look up at him before I go up the porch steps.
Liam walks over to me.“Would it be okay if I texted you while I was gone?”The glow of the multicolor Christmas lights bathes his handsome face and makes the blue of his eyes even more vibrant.He’s so handsome.
“Um…okay,” I stammer.
I know texting and getting to know each other more is probably a bad idea, but I can’t help it.I like him.He’s always been respectful, even when he was boinking my brains out behind a plant in Las Vegas.He obviously loves his family, which is hot.Even though my family annoys me sometimes, I love them, and I want someone who is close to their family too.The way he was with that mouse he could have easily killed has stuck with me.How he cradled that frightened little critter gently in his palm and carried it outside says a lot.He was kind and patient with me when I was scared.He didn’t know I was me; I was just a strange woman freaking out over a mouse, and he didn’t mock me.He’s a good man.And he’s hot as hell.Why does he have to work for his family’s company?It would be so much easier if he was an astrophysicist or a grocery store clerk.
Standing out here feels like coming home from a date in high school and wondering if I’m going to be kissed or not.Of course I’m not getting kissed tonight.I’ve made it clear I’m not looking for that sort of relationship with him.But I wish things were different.
“Cool.”He grabs the back of his neck, looking boyishly awkward and adorable.“I guess I’ll head home then.I’m leaving tomorrow to check out the centers in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.I’ll be back late next week.Maybe we can all hang out when I get home?”
“Maybe.That sounds like fun.”Do I wave?Offer my hand to shake?How do I say goodbye?
“Well, have a safe trip.I hope everything goes smoothly.”I give a lame-ass wave.
“Thanks.I hope everything goes smoothly for you too.”Liam returns my wave and starts backing toward his truck parked at the curb.“Thanks for going to the game tonight.”
I smile at him even though he probably can’t see me and turn to go inside.
“Mallory.”
