Page 88 of Lovestruck at Sundown
Nina’s phone started ringing. “That must be him.” She stood and fetched her phone from her clutch. “Ciao, Federico!” She walked away toward the living room, giggling coyly. “No! You’re not interrupting.”
“What the hell, Billie?” Liam spat. “Who the bleeding hell is thisPrinceFederico, and why am I just now learning about his existence?”
“Watch your tone,mate,” William warned with a soft laugh. He was enjoying Liam’s misery.
“What do I have to do with anything?” I complained. I didn’t want to actively participate in the lie because I knew Liam wouldn’t forgive me. But he had repeatedly denied his affection for her, insisting they were just friends, so he had no business getting all grumbly with me. “I thought she’d tell you since you’re friends.”
Liam drilled me with his gaze.Traitor, his eyes spoke. Nina laughed in the distance, and Liam’s nostrils flared as he blinked slowly, the sound of her laughter surely grating on his nerves.
“Is there a specific reason why you’re reacting this way?” William asked him.
“Well, yeah.” Liam shrugged. “I’m obviously worried about her. We don’t know anything about thisprinceperson.”
“She’s in good hands. He’s an alright guy.” William stood and collected our plates. “Dessert, anyone?”
I pressed my lips together and lifted a finger. Liam shook his head no, and William walked away. Nina returned with a huge smile on her face and sat next to Liam.
“Nina, do you want some dessert?” William called from the kitchen.
“No, thanks! I’m good!” she shouted back. She took a smallsip of her wine and said to Liam and me with a cute scrunched-up nose, “I want to keep drinking at the party, so I don’t want to upset my stomach with sugar.”
“I totally get it,” I agreed. Overeating, especially sweets, when drinking alcohol wasn’t a good mix for me either.
“Or you could eat dessert and stop drinking at the party,” Liam said. “Might be a good idea since you don’t know the guy well enough yet.”
“Oh, you have nothing to worry about,” Nina said, waving a carefree hand in front of her. “Federico is a gentleman. You’ll quickly notice that once I introduce you guys. I’m sure you’ll approve of him.”
Liam sniffed and offered Nina a twitchy smile. “Billie, do you have any more wine?” He lifted his empty wineglass and swayed it.
“We have plenty.” I got up. “I’ll be right back.”
“Let’s do brunch tomorrow.” William suggested when we crossed paths as I went to grab another bottle of wine. “So you can meet Federico.”
I had to bite my tongue to avoid laughing. Thankfully, I wasn’t seated at the table when William said that because I wouldn’t have been able to conceal my reaction, especially when I heard Nina saying, “That sounds wonderful!”
I returned with the bottle and corkscrew, and William helped me open it. Liam’s face was contorted with emotion.
Nina’s phone chimed. She tapped her screen and said, “He’s here.” She stood and hugged me goodbye. “I’ll see you later.” She winked at me and mouthedthank you. “Thanks for the meal, William. It was delicious.” Liam stood and accompanied Nina to the door.
“Give me a heads up if Prince Charming turns out to be a bit of a knob, and I’ll swing by to fetch you up,” I heard him say.My heart couldn’t take it. Liam wasn’t the possessive “touch her and die” type of guy. Still, he was trying to reassure Nina that he had her back while respecting her choice to go out with another guy, even though it was crystal clear now that he had feelings for her. Very strong ones.
The door closed, and Liam marched back to the table and deflated next to me as I took a spoonful of the leftover homemade chocolate cake William had baked the day before.
William extended an arm behind my chair’s backrest and stared at Liam as if waiting to see what he had to say about Nina’s prince.
Liam steepled his fingers, deep in thought.
“Cake?” I offered again.
“Yeah, gimme.” He swiveled his fingers. William cut a slice and served it on a small plate, sliding it over to Liam with his index finger, who took one of the spoons William had brought. “Mmm.” He chewed after taking a large bite into his mouth. “This is—really good,” he mumbled, covering his mouth to speak.
William nodded once in appreciation for the praise. “So you’re going to let this Prince Fedrico take your girl, or what?” William teased, and I kicked him under the table.
Liam lifted his gaze from the plate and said, “She’s not my girl.”
“But you clearly want her to be.”
Dear God.
