Page 89 of Lovestruck at Sundown
“We’re friends.” Liam dropped his gaze to his cake and took another big chunk to his mouth.
“Bullshit,” William pressed. “Nina’s probably holding hands on the way to the party with a fucking prince while you eat cake and allow it to happen.”
Liam dropped his spoon, and it clanked against the plate.
“So I fancy her,” Liam finally admitted. “But I don’t assume that because I like someone, they are obligated to like me back, nor do I act like a bloody possessive caveman around them. Look at what it’s doing to Tobias. He’s got his knickers in a twist because he’s too upset about Cecile being torn between him and Jordan. He’s going insane over wanting her all to himself and will probably lose her because of it. And I don’t want to lose Nina.”
I widened my eyes and stared at my plate.
“So you’re open to sharing her with the prince?” William taunted, but Liam remained silent, and then the doorbell rang. “Ah! Speaking of the devil.”
William stood, and I frowned. I had no idea who that was, but I reached out for Liam’s arm and said, “I’m sorry.” I didn’t even know what exactly I was apologizing for, but I didn’t like seeing him sad and worked up like this. Knowing it was all a ruse made me feel responsible for his heartache.
Tobias walked in but stopped when he saw us in the distance. William shut the door before Tobias could even think about leaving.
“You two”—William pointed at Liam and Tobias—“will lock yourselves up in my office and won’t come out until you hash things out,” he ordered. “The holidays are coming, and I’d rather we spend them in peace.”
Liam usually flew to Australia for Christmas, but he had work obligations in the first week of January, so he needed to be in New York. He would be flying to Melbourne in mid-January for the Australian Open since attending was an annual ritual he participated in with his brothers. The eldest was a brand ambassador for Coop Craft Brewery, one of the Australian Open’s biggest sponsors, so they always received courtesy tickets.
That’s how he metBelén.
The Sjöbergs flew to Sweden every Christmas, but with their parents’ divorce, it was easier to stay in New York this year and have their parents fly in from Stockholm and L.A. respectively. Nathalie would then fly to Sweden for New Year’s with Eric. Lily and Joel were spending it withus at Sagaponack for a double celebration since Lily’s birthday was on January 1st. And Tobias was flying to Paris, but he hadn’t told anyone. I knew because Cecile told me. Jordan was going to be there too. And Zara was leaving in a few days to spend the Holidays with the Saunders in London.
“Hey, Billie.” Tobias crossed his arms at his chest and jerked his chin at Liam, looking irked. Liam echoed the gesture.
I loved Liam and Tobias so much that I hated seeing them mad at each other. They had such a special relationship, and it was time for them to talk it out. It’d been weeks since they last spoke. I’m sure they missed each other, even if they would never admit it. So I was glad William had forced them to confront each other.
William widened his eyes at Tobias.
“You wanna talk?” Tobias asked Liam, who replied with a shrug. But he stood and followed Tobias to William’s office. They shut the door, and William and I picked up the rest of the dishes and took them to the kitchen.
“I hope they can work things out,” I said, fixing myself a cup of chamomile tea. I’d drunk enough wine, and William hated it when I fell asleep watching Breaking Bad, so having something to sip on would help me keep myself awake.
“They will.”
I tasted the tea, and it was perfect. “Let’s go,” I said. “Living room or bedroom?”
“Living room.” William placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me there.
“I was a second away from telling Liam it was all a lie,” I admitted. “He was suffering with the whole prince thing.”
“Suffering is an extraordinary teacher.” William grabbed the remote and threw himself back on the comfy L-shaped sofa. “And don’t feel too bad. He did the exact same thing back in Lily and Joel’s engagement party to get Nathan and me riled up, remember?”
“You were getting back at him?”
He shot me a wicked smile. “One could say we’re now even.”
December 24, 2010
William and Iwere on our way to Peak325 for my Christmas Eve dinner with my dad. All I had said to him since Thanksgiving was that single text telling him William would be joining us. He replied with a dry “ok,” so I already expected this dinner to be tense. But at least he didn’t refuse.
“Rent is due in a week,” I reminded William. “Nina has been asking about it, and you haven’t given me a reply about how much she’ll be paying.”
“Here we go.” William gave me a playful smile. He knew how stubborn I was, but he was even worse. Nina knew I paid William rent, so she felt uncomfortable living with me if this subject wasn’t cleared up. “I already told you what I think.”
“Neither of us paying rent isnota viable option, so just give me a number you’re comfortable with,” I insisted, cupping his face with my hand. But he refused to meet my gaze. “William, look at me.”
“Not looking at you helps me avoid the risk of being ensnared by your bewitching Jedi ways.” He kept his attention away from my face.
