Page 19 of Had To Be You

Liam

I set my pen down, leaning back in my office chair, slowly closing my eyes. I’m distracted. My focus is shot. I keep telling myself it’s the case I’m working on but it’s painfully obvious to me it’s not. It’s Ellie. It’s been twelve hours since Ellie was underneath me, and she is all I can think about. How good she felt in my arms and how badly I want more of her. I’m so lost in my thoughts, I’m barely aware that there are people in the room with me. Unfortunately, they seem to have noticed that I haven’t heard a word they’ve said.

“Liam,” Jules snaps, levelling me with a what the fuck stare when I look her way.

My sister and my father are sitting across from me in my office. They are here to meet with me about the VR tour contracts, to get my opinion on the terms. What I say goes when my family asks me for my opinion on Seaside business deals. With a yes or a no, I can cause massive deals to move forward or to crash and burn.

“It’s a go,” I say convincingly. “The contracts look good. Great work on this, Jules,” I add, sitting back in my chair and crossing my left ankle over my knee.

Jules straightens her spine, sitting up in her chair with a confident grin. It’s the same grin she’s worn since childhood, the one that screams I’m just that good. She exchanges glances with our dad. I wasn’t sure how seriously she would take the position at the Seaside Corp when our father first offered her a spot in his company, but she has proven herself time and time again. Ever since we were kids, Jules has never taken life too seriously, intent on living in the moment, making her own rules. We’re basically exact opposites in that way. I have to admit, though, that I admire her and what she has accomplished at the family business. She has a distinct vision of taking the Seaside brand worldwide, and she’s killing it.

“Thanks, Liam. I can’t wait to get started on this. ‘Try it before you buy it’ will be huge for us.”

Expanding into a VR booking process will not only allow potential guests to tour our properties through virtual reality, but it will also let them compare hotel prices and book rooms directly. It’s a no-brainer deal.

“Great work, Jules. I am proud of you. This will put us a step above all the rest,” my dad adds, reaching over to give her forearm a gentle squeeze. Our father is a genius when it comes to business dealings, so his stamp of approval says a lot.

“Thanks, Dad. I’ve got this. It’s going to be great. I’ll keep you in the loop once filming starts. They said they could be ready as early as next month.”

“That’s great, sweetheart. Now to a different matter: your brother’s wedding. Your mother has been very busy getting the house ready for Parker and Olivia’s big day. I would appreciate it if you could both check in with her and help out in any way necessary. You know she won’t ask, and I don’t need her putting out her back or breaking a leg.”

“Not a problem, Dad. I’ll stop by today after work,”

“Thank you, Liam.” He nods with approval in his eyes. It’s an approval I’ve worked very hard to earn for most of my life, from a man I’ve always looked up to. My dad has an abundance of charm and wit, but he’s a hard-ass in business – we have that in common. But when it comes to looks, I’m told most often that I resemble my mother. I’m an inch or so taller than my father, broader chested with lighter features. His dark eyes to my gray, his hair once almost black where mine is a dark brown. Like me, Miles takes after our mom while Jules and Parker look more like our dad.

“I’m out tonight with Olivia and the girls, but I’ll give her a call. I still can’t believe they’re getting married at the house. I think it’s so cool. They are like a living, breathing fairy tale,” Jules adds. “I just wish they would move back home already. I miss having them here.”

My curiosity is piqued, I can’t help myself from asking: “What’s going on tonight? Who are you going out with?”

“Since when do you give a flying f- flapjack who I’m hanging out with?” She looks at my dad, remembering to censor her language. My dad had always preached to us kids that if you wouldn’t say the word in church, you shouldn’t say it at all. So much for that piece of advice. Her eyes narrow at me. “Ah, I get it - you care since there’s a big, big possibility that my plans might include Ellie,” my sister teases, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Why didn’t you just come out and ask if Ellie was going to be there? I would have been happy to let you know that yes, she will be there.”

This gets my attention. I find myself wondering, at different points in my day, what Ellie could be doing or where she is. I’m embarrassed to say I even drove past Bloom this morning to see if I could catch a glimpse of her in the shop window. What the hell is wrong with me?

I try to play It cool when I answer. “Wasn’t asking about Ellie.”

“Oh, you weren’t, were you?”

“Nope.”

“Interesting,” she says, arching her brow. “I saw the way you were looking at her at the rehearsal dinner. Everybody saw the way you two were looking at each other. You were practically trying to procreate with your eyes all night. Cut the crap, Liam. What’s the story with you and her?”

What did they see? Were we that obvious? There was no denying the smolder between us, and damn right, I wanted to have sex with her, but I thought I was at least a little discreet about it. I lean back in my chair, folding my arms across my chest, making it clear I am stopping this conversation before it starts. My stare shifts to my dad, but thankfully I can see that he’s going to leave this one alone for now. My look tells him I’m not in the mood for talking.

“That’s fine, Liam. I’ll drop it… for now,” Jules says. “But for the record, I like Ellie. I like her a lot and it’s obvious you like her too. Don’t be an idiot. Ask the girl out.”

I shake my head, ignoring what she just said. “Don’t you have work to do?”

She stands, reaching across my desk for the contracts, but I don’t miss the twinkle in her eyes and the confident grin that spreads across her face. This conversation may have been put on pause, but I can see it’s not over as far as my sister is concerned.

My dad follows, rising from the chair and offering his hand.

“Liam, always good to see you, son.” I shake his hand with a firm grip. “If you need to talk, you know where to find me. I’m always here to listen.”

“I know, Dad. Thanks. I’ll see you later tonight at your house.” He nods, then follows my sister towards the door. Jules opens the door for our dad, but before she follows him out, she turns back to look at me. “Ask her out, Liam. I’m serious. I’d give anything to have someone look at me the way she looks at you. Ellie’s the real deal. Don’t miss your chance.”

Before I have the chance to respond, she’s gone. I make a mental note to check in with her more often. I know she’s still heartbroken over her split with Alex.

I stand and pace my office, rubbing the back of my neck. I walk towards the window, shoving my hands in my pockets. My mind wanders back to Ellie. Did I take things a little too far? Okay, fine, maybe I did. I made a mistake that day, and I’m making an even bigger one by considering taking things further. I didn’t make partner to be distracted by a beautiful woman. Years of commitment and hard work got me to where I am today. I have a reputation in Reed Point as a fearless attorney - serious, restrained, unrelenting. If you’re looking for understanding and a soft touch, I’m not the attorney for you. I’m a shark in and out of the courtroom, and that’s just how I like it. I’ve spent my twenties perfecting the art of self-discipline – daily 5 a.m. workouts, green smoothies every morning on my way to the office, then work, work and more work. Letting a woman get in the way of my career is never going to happen.

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