Page 63 of Fix Them Up
Her words seeped in, a soothing balm to some of my wounds.
‘Okay.’ I breathed. ‘I like him, okay? I like him a lot, and I hate it because I feel so out of control, and I can’t stop looking at him and his fucking face and his body. His body, Willa. It’s insane, and I haven’t even seen underneath his clothes yet. And it’s not just physical. He’s not what I expected at all. He’s really sweet and thoughtful. He danced with his old piano teacher, for god’s sake. He cooks because he wants to look after everyone. And he’s so—’ I took a deep breath in, refuelling. ‘I like him, and I’m scared. Terrified. You happy now?’
There was silence on the other end of the phone, apart from the odd gust of wind.
‘Willa?’
‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard you speak about someone like that.’
‘Willa,’ I groaned. ‘Don’t freak me out.’
‘I’m not trying to freak you out. It’s okay to be scared. It comes with the territory. You have to be vulnerable.’
‘I don’t want to be vulnerable,’ I whined. ‘Why can’t someone tell me it will be okay?’
‘Love wouldn’t be worth it without a little risk.’
‘No. It’s not that. Don’t say the L word,’ I warned, panic rising in my throat again. God, I needed a therapist.
‘You should tell him. Be honest.’ Willa added, ‘If I can finally finish with fuck-face John, then you can do this too.’
‘Maybe.’ The thought of confessing my delicate crush to Liam made me feel a bit sick. I wanted to see what he said first. ‘I’ve got to go. I need to face the music.’ I glanced over at Liam’s house. No lights were on yet, so he had to be sleeping in.
‘Text me and let me know how it goes. I’m here if you need me. Wish me luck with Eduardo.’
‘I’m wishing Eduardo luck.’
Willa laughed. ‘Love ya.’
‘Love ya.’ I hung up, feeling alone again.
As I showered and got dressed, my mind whirled with wild scenarios – Liam saying he was in love with me, Liam friend-zoning me, Liam kicking me out of the annexe because the kiss was ‘inappropriate’, Liam quitting the job because I harassed him.
I was making myself a cup of tea in the little kitchen when I spotted a woman and child strolling through the side gate into the garden.
I frowned, putting the kettle down.
The woman had a slim, athletic build and chestnut-brown hair with lowlights running through it, which made it look like glossychocolate. She glanced around, searching for something with sharp blue eyes that contrasted with her tanned skin. She wore athleisure, but unlike Lydia’s citrus brights, hers were warm beige. The woman shouted something to the little girl, who had to be about ten years old, peering through Liam’s bifold windows.
Was this woman the Abigail that Jack had mentioned in my eavesdropping?
I was frozen in place, unsure what to do.
Should I go and tell them Liam wasn’t up yet?
The choice was taken from me. The little girl’s eyes went wide with curiosity, and she pointed towards me. The woman turned and saw me standing in the cottage, her eyes narrowing.
Shit.
She did not look happy, and she didn’t strike me as a woman you wanted to cross, but I pulled on my big girl pants and walked outside to introduce myself.
‘Hi. I’m Kat. Are you looking for Liam? He’s not up yet, he –’
‘Is he in there?’ The woman nodded towards the annexe behind me.
‘No –’
She leaned down and gave the girl a kiss on the head. ‘Honey, go knock on the front door again, please.’ The girl looked like she wanted to complain, but she nodded and walked away, looking at me with interest.
