Page 50 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“Um, no, that’s fine,” I said with hesitation. “I don’t mind.” Of course, I did. It would be the most awkward thing ever if Joel decided to invite him over for dinner, but knowing Nathan, he wouldn’t agree to come.
“He’s not coming,” Joel said adamantly. “I’m seeing him next Tuesday. It’s done.”
“This is bullshit.” Zara stood and glared at me as she walked toward the kitchen. Like this was all my fault. Like I hadn’t just mentioned I didn’t mind if Nathan was invited. I could feel my breath catching in my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I said to Joel as he walked over to sit next to Lily and me. It broke my heart to think that this was the type of family event Nathan would usually attend if it weren’t for me. I didn’t want to be the reason they couldn’t hang out.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Joel replied. “You knowI love Nathan. And he’s like a brother to me. But Williamismy brother. And you’re with William now, so both of you will always come first.”
“It’s not a good idea.” Lily laughed under her breath. “And I’m sure Nathan wouldn’t want to come either.”
“He would never,” I said with a laugh. We all knew him well enough to know there was no way he’d be okay with hanging out in such an intimate setting while William and I were present.
“Nope.” Lily ran a hand around my shoulders and pulled me in for a hug. “I know this sucks, but as Joel said, you and William will always come first. And we’ll always find the time to hang out with Nathan. He’s a big boy. I’m sure he understands.”
My phone vibrated with an incoming text.
Liam:I’m downstairs about to come up, but Aaron’s got his knickers in a twist about this tiny woman (who doesn’t seem like a threat at all) and her not being allowed to come up or something. You should give Aaron a call because William’s not answering his phone. I’ll see you in thirty seconds.
Aaron was driving me nuts with his attitude.
Me:Thanks. I’ll talk to Aaron. I didn’t know you were coming.
Liam:I’m heartbroken and need to be distracted at this time. Ding dong.
The doorbell rang. “That should be Liam.” I said to Lily, getting up from my seat. “Could you get that? I need to talk to William.”
“Is everything okay?” Lily asked.
“Yeah, I’ll explain in a bit.” I walked to the kitchen, and William and Nathalie were doing all the work while Tobias,Eric, and Zara sat on the stools and watched. “William?”
“What’s up?” He turned to look at me as he transferred a salad from the Styrofoam container into a crystal bowl.
“Did you have the chance to email Aaron about authorizing Naomi’s access to the building?” I asked. “Naomi’s downstairs, and Aaron’s giving her a hard time. Liam just texted me to say they’re trying to reach you.”
“Oh, shit. I forgot.” He pulled out his phone from his back pocket. “I have it on silent. But could you go down there and get Naomi? Tell Aaron I’m sending him the email as we speak.” He braced his elbows against the white marble countertop and typed away.
“Of course. I’ll be right back.”
“And tell him to fucking relax,” William added as I walked away, and it made me chuckle.
“Language,” I heard Nathalie say in a scolding tone.
“Hey, Red!” Liam smiled, but his eyes looked red and puffy, like he’d been crying.
“Hey!” I hugged him. “How are you feeling?”
“Like shit.” He shrugged. “Whatever, I’ll be fine.”
“I need to go downstairs and get Naomi. She’s William’s new publicist,” I explained. “I’ll be right back.”
“Want me to come with you?” he offered.
“Sure. Let’s go.”
As the elevator took us to the lobby, I asked Liam, “So did you meet up with Nina earlier?” I was searching for his gaze, but he kept his attention plastered at the doors.
“Yeah, we met for coffee.”
