Page 55 of Fix Them Up
Liam’s lips twitched, and he rolled his eyes. ‘Yeah, all right, all right. Don’t get big-headed.’
I smiled wider. ‘But you like having my big head around.’
‘I should never have said that.’
I laughed and sipped my pint, trying to hide my smile.
Chapter Eighteen
My poor attempt to climb into Liam’s van exposed how tipsy I was. And that I’d signed up for Lydia’s hot yoga class in the morning. And that my filter had completely disappeared.
I’d drank a little more than I usually would, but the day had been a rollercoaster of emotions: excitement, joy, grief, and sadness, all punctuated by the warmth of Liam’s watchful gaze.
I’d grown self-conscious about my tipsy status by my fourth pint. It was ten o’clock, probably Liam’s bedtime, and he wasn’t drinking. Surely there was nothing worse than being around a load of drunk people when he was sober? But Liam seemed happy to sit there, watching everyone else chatter and laugh, sipping a Coke Zero.
Not Diet Coke – Coke Zero.
Sandra whispered that she had ordered it for Liam. ‘Don’t mention it. He’d only say I was making a fuss.’
I glanced his way to find him looking at both of us, sitting in one of the armchairs next to Jack, Lydia, and Freddie, chatting amongst themselves.
‘What are you two whispering about?’ he asked, a fake frown on his handsome face. Handsome – when had he got that handsome? His face was so… symmetrical. And masculine. His jaw was sharp and defined like it could cut glass. I wanted to rub my face in his five o’clock shadow. I made a mental note to callWilla and inform her of Liam’s attractiveness. She would want to know.
‘Nothing!’ I shouted back, grinning.
Sandra called last orders and kicked everyone out. Liam followed me out to the van. The heat of his hands brushed my lower back.
‘Do you judge people who do drink?’ I asked, shivering slightly. It was now eleven, so it was freezing. I couldn’t believe how much colder it was up here.
Liam leaned over and flipped on some switches, making heat blast out of the vents. ‘Better?’
‘Yeah, thanks,’ I murmured.
‘I don’t judge people who drink.’
‘Huh?’
‘I don’t judge people who drink.’
‘Why would you judge people who drink?’
‘You asked if I judge people who drink.’ His lips twitched.
‘Oh.’ I hiccupped. ‘Well, you probably should.’
‘Ah, don’t be daft.’ Liam was still smiling. His smile transformed his face. His features were usually so neutral and cool. He had a bit of a case of resting bitch face until he smiled, and it was like a switch flipped. His joy flowed across his features so easily when he wanted to. It was beautiful to watch.
‘You have a nice smile, you know,’ I slurred.
Sober Kat was banging her fists against a locked cage.
‘Thanks.’ Liam smiled wider. ‘You’re nice to me after a drink. That’s another thing to add to my list.’
‘Your list? What list?’
Liam laughed. ‘Nothing. You were talking about my smile.’
‘Yeah, it’s nice.’
