Page 23 of Had To Be You

LIAM: Very much. Now, answer me. Is it the hot pink one?

ME: No, it’s not. The one I’m wearing tonight is purple lace and covers much, much less. I think you would really like it.

LIAM: Purple is my new favorite colour. Do you have any idea how badly I wanted to rip your clothes off tonight to see what was underneath?

I peek up from my screen, nervous I’m going to get caught. Thankfully, Olivia is in deep conversation with Jules about the wedding and Kate is busy texting someone. I look back to my phone, lust zipping through me. I should stop, but I can’t. This thing with Liam is a fix that I’m totally and completely addicted to.

ME: I wish you would have. I’ve never had anyone rip my clothes off before.

LIAM: Noted. I’ll have to change that. What are you doing right now?

ME: Struggling to keep my composure. Did you plan on texting me to rile me up?

LIAM: I want you as riled up as I am right now.

My. God.

I pull my knees together to ease the ache.

ME: Mission accomplished.

LIAM: Leave the girls, Ellie and come to my place. I want to finish what we started yesterday.

ME: That would be rude, Liam. My mother taught me manners. Besides, you can’t always get what you want.

LIAM: I thought I was being spontaneous. You know, your favorite four syllable word.

He’s not happy, I’m sure, that I turned him down. I, on the other hand like knowing that I affect him in this way. I sit forward in my chair and continue typing, wanting to take things a little farther.

ME: You didn’t forget… and I’m impressed.

My fingers waver over the screen, as I try to decide if I’m really going to go there. Of course, I’m going to. This feels way too good.

ME: After yesterday afternoon, that’s not the only thing about you that impresses me.

LIAM: I fucking love it when you talk to me like that.

ME: Same, Liam. Same for me.

LIAM: See you at 7 tomorrow, Ells. Text me your address….and wear the purple lace bra.

I contemplate sending him one more text. Something sexy. Something to let him know I can’t wait to see him tomorrow night. But when I look up, I quickly realize it’s time to put an end to my hot-as-fuck text chain. Kate fixes her stare at me as I quickly stuff my phone back into my clutch. “What is going on with you tonight, Ellie?” This gets the attention of Olivia and Jules, who stop mid-conversation and turn to look at me. I reach for my glass, needing something to do with my hands before I give myself away.

“Don’t think I didn’t notice you on your phone typing like your fingers were on fire.” Kate says, her elbows resting on the table. “Dish, now. Who were you texting?”

I almost choke on my Margarita. I could lie but that feels so wrong. These girls have been better friends to me than I probably deserve. They know me better than anyone. They always have. They know the deepest depths of my heart, my fears and my insecurities. And I should feel like I can tell them about Liam. I’m also reminded of the only other part of my life they know nothing about. The secret I’ve kept since college. It’s starting to feel like a 1,000-pound weight on my shoulders. I take a deep breath.

I could start by telling them about Liam. How good he makes me feel. How much he turns me on. How he makes me laugh and drives me crazy all at the same time. How something is happening between us and I don’t know what to do about it. He makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. He makes me want things I never knew I wanted. But the words don’t come.

“I’m not texting anyone.”

Kate scoffs. “Pull-ease. What are you hiding from us?” She raises one eyebrow, her eyes filled with doubt.

“Should we order another round?” I ask the group, stalling, thinking of the right way to tell them about the man who has invaded my brain morning, noon and night.

Olivia gives me a look that makes it clear she’s not ready to give up. “Only if you tell us who you were texting.”

And because I must have saved an old folk’s home from going up in flames in a past life, I am rescued by Kate’s water glass tumbling over and shattering against the tile floor. The Orlando doppelganger is at her side in a flash, helping to mop up the spill. Kate apologizes profusely while she and Jules use their napkins to help the clean-up effort.

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