Page 85 of Fix Them Up
‘Anything,’ he said, his voice low.
I turned away, my hands on my hips, facing the warehouse. Liam cleared his throat, and I could feel disappointment rolling off him in waves.
Too much. It was too much.
Liam’s voice said from behind me, ‘Let’s test that haggling, huh?’
We spent an hour weaving through the rows and rows of furniture. And while I wanted to take everything home with me, I hadn’t found the perfect dresser yet. However, I had found a vintage Ercol dining table with matching chairs, an amazing old dresser that would be perfect for the hallway and glass whisky decanters I wanted to take home. Each time, Liam pulled me gently away, reminding me to stay focused.
I tried my best even as the furniture chanted to me.Take us home.Take us home.
‘This was a mistake.’ Liam shook his head. ‘You want everything.’
‘I want everything.’ I mock-gasped. An antique gold cash till sat on top of a wooden table, the huge leaver you’d pull to open up the till still intact. My hands ran over the metal numbers, pressing them down. They still moved. ‘Oh my’ – I clutched my chest – ‘thiswould look so cool in your restaurant.’
Liam arched an eyebrow. ‘My restaurant.’
‘Yeah.’ I waved a hand. ‘When you get round to it. And finally speak to your brother.’
‘If you have anything to do with it, it’s going to look like the jumble sale at Abigail’s school.’
It didn’t escape me that he skirted around the mention of his brother.
I grinned. ‘You have such little faith in me.’
Liam huffed. ‘Trust me. When it comes to this stuff, I have complete faith in you.’
‘This stuff?’
‘I’ve seen your plans.’ He glanced at me. ‘They are good. I’ve worked with interior designers – some good, some bad. I can tell you’re talented, even if you need a dose of reality now and then. If I do open my restaurant—’
‘Oh—’
Liam held up a finger. ‘If. I said if.IfI open the restaurant. You’ll be the first person I’ll call.’
‘To design it?’ I gasped.
‘Yep. Only the best.’
The heart flutters were back. He had no idea what those words meant to someone who doubted themselves on a daily basis.
I smiled. ‘Thanks. Sometimes I think about—’ I paused. ‘I think about doing this – as a job,’ I said in a rush. ‘It’s just a stupid idea, and I probably wouldn’t make any money. Then I’d end up not being able to pay any bills, and then the bank would repossess my house, and I’d end up destitute. Or worse, back living with my mum and Graham.’
The corner of Liam’s lips rose. My face burned.
I turned away. ‘Forget it—’
‘No, no,’ Liam said and shifted my shoulders to face him. ‘Whywould you think that?’ His gaze searched my face. ‘Why wouldn’t it be a success?’
My mum’s voice echoed around me.
Don’t take risks. Stop being impulsive. Be sensible, Katherine.
‘I wasn’t brought up by people who took risks.’ I bit my lip. ‘And I have a reputation for being… flighty. I’ve had some failed attempts at businesses before. Stupid stuff, really. A jewellery business. Candle making. Then, I thought I wanted to be a childminder. But all of them failed. Or I failed.’
Liam let out a deep breath.
‘Just ignore me. I’m oversharing.’
