Page 96 of Fix Them Up
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 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.
Chapter Thirty
Kat’s To-Do List
Everly Heath Pros & Cons
Pros
Liam
Brian, Sandra, Lydia – Family
Pat’s brownies – they are fucking insane
The house is paid off, so maybe I could take an interior design course?
Liam (again)
Cons
Willa (I’m pretty sure she’s hiding how bad work is)
