Page 109 of Fix Them Up
Liam hesitated. ‘Are you sure? I don’t want to bethatguy.’
‘What guy?’
‘The guy who says what you’ll have. “She’ll have the salad.” That arsehole in the films.’
My lips twitched. ‘Are you going to order me a salad, Liam?’
He wrinkled his nose. ‘Fuck, no.’
I laughed. ‘I didn’t think so. But the Caprese salad does look good, actually. Maybe as a side, though.’
Liam nodded. ‘It’s really good, to be fair.’
I nodded, acting solemn. ‘Okay. I permit you to order that side salad, Liam.’
Liam ordered the strozzapreti broccolini, which was salty and light. To balance the saltiness, he ordered the hearty ragu and finished with a side of garlic bread and Caprese salad. The dishesarrived in traditional Italian bowls, which Liam said Frank sourced from Italy. We shared them in the middle of the table.
‘What do you think?’ Liam scratched his arm.
‘It’s amazing. Why do you look so stressed?’
Liam frowned. ‘This is one of my favourite restaurants. I didn’t realise how nerve-racking it would be to bring someone new here.’
I grinned. ‘High stakes, huh?’
I took a bite of the ragu and moaned. ‘Fucking hell. What does he put in this?’
‘Red,’ Liam said, an octave lower. ‘Don’t make noises like that in public. Or we’ll be paying the bill and going home.’
I looked up to find Liam staring at my lips. I blushed and pressed my legs together. He wasn’t joking, I could tell. He would pay the bill, whisk us out of here, and take me home. He’d probably undress me slowly. Kissing his way up my body like he had done this morning, and we’d finally—
‘Red,’ Liam warned. ‘Your pupils are like saucers. Pack it in. I want to wine and dine you.’
‘Not sixty-nine me?’ I grinned.
Liam shook his head until a tall shadow came over our table, and we glanced up to find Liam’s brother looking down at us.
‘This is cosy.’ Ren grinned. ‘Really, Liam. I didn’t take you for such a romantic. Shall I get some roses, and you can put one in your mouth?’
‘Ren –’ Liam rubbed a hand over his face.
‘Oh!’ Ren clasped his chest. ‘I’ll get Frank to bring out some spaghetti. You can do the bit fromLady and the Tramp.’
I laughed as Liam said, ‘Remind me why I asked you to come back.’
Ren pulled a chair over, turned it around, and sat, and I could see Liam’s blood pressure rising, the veins in his neck pulsing. Ren really pushed his buttons.
‘Because I’m the best barman in this fine city? Because you miss me?’ He made his eyes go soft and round, and he pouted. ‘Because you love your wittle bwother?’
I laughed, a deep belly laugh. This couldn’t be more entertaining.
‘Eejit.’ Liam shook his head, but his lips were twitching. He frowned when he clocked Frank’s uniform. ‘Are you working here?’ Liam’s face dropped. ‘Ren – you promised you’d work on the restaurant with me. No distractions.’
Ren rolled his eyes. ‘I’m not jumping ship. Frank needed some help, so I said I would come and do a few shifts.’ Ren picked at his nails. ‘I figured it would help if I got back into the swing of things. I have spent a year out of the industry.’
Liam relaxed at his words as Ren bristled. I saw something familiar in Ren – someone sick of being underestimated. I made a mental note to point this out to Liam when we were alone. He needed to ease up on his brother.
Liam gave a nod. ‘Good idea.’
