Page 106 of The Reno
Finally, Willa spoke. “I think this sounds great.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
She had a small smile on her face. “Actually, I think this is the best idea you’ve had in a long time. You and I both know you’ve been phoning it in at work. You’re lucky that you’re such a good designer, or I’d have kicked your arse to the kerb by now.”
A hysterical giggle burst out of me.
Willa nodded. “I think a new start, a new project, would be good for you.”
“But what if I change my mind? Or what if it fails, Wills? I couldn’t face Mum’s face if I come crawling back to her, with my tail between my legs.”
Willa’s lips went into a flat line. “No risk, no reward, babes. Them the rules, I’m afraid.”
I bit my lip. I’d been so unhappy at work. For over a year, if I was being honest with myself. Even before Dad died, I’d become restless. It was like I had a persistent shaking leg that wouldn’t stop, even if I placed my hand on it and pushed it down.
I thought about all my side hustles, the candle making and the calligraphy. What if all those failed projects were just leading here?
“Right,” Willa said with a clap of her hands. “If we’re going to do this. Let’s make it happen. Get your laptop out. We’re putting together a business plan, bitch.”
I couldn’t hold back the answering smile from breaking across my face.
It was dark when I felt strong arms come around under my legs and my neck. Someone… someone was carrying me. I was pressed against a hard chest.
“Do you need anything?” a male voice whispered. “The annexe is open.”
“No, I’m good,” a woman whispered back. “She seems happy here, Liam.”
“I think she is. I hope she is. She deserves to be,” the man whispered back.
Liam.
My fuzzy brain began to wake. Willa. Liam. After Willa and I had drafted a business plan, I fell asleep before I saw the end ofClueless.
“You better take care of her,” Willa said, a warning in her voice.
“I will,” Liam replied. I could hear the soft smile in his voice. “I’d do anything for her. You should know that.”
“Good.”
I drifted off and woke again as Liam lay me on his bed, giving me a light kiss on my forehead. I tried to wake up. I tried to move. I tried to cuddle into him, but I felt so heavy. So, instead, I snuggled deeper into the sheets, and those strong arms came around me anyway.
THIRTY
Kat’s To-Do List
Everly Heath Pros & Cons
Pros
Liam
