Page 24 of Marry Lies
“Unfortunately,” I bite back, walking over to him and holding my hand out. “Stella Deveraux.”
“Liam Ravage,” he says gruffly.
He’s handsome—older than Miles if his silver-speckled scruff is any indication. He’s wearing a red flannel and an old pair of jeans.
“Miles’soldestbrother,” he clarifies. “I live about twenty minutes from here, and I came to have breakfast with my brother, only to find that he’s off on some highly suspect business meeting.”
I huff a laugh as I make my way around the kitchen. “Running away from me is more like it,” I mutter. “I sort of chewed him out last night.”
Liam chuckles. “Good for you. He needs a good chewing out sometimes.”
I grin as I look over at Liam. He’s drinking black coffee, and his blue eyes bore into mine playfully. I make a sound of indignation when I pull a tea bag out.
“Your brother needs to get some proper tea,” I explain, grimacing. “I’m not fancy, but I need something a bit more sturdy than Lady Grey.”
“Ah. That’s why there’s a list in the corner withproper teacircled three times?”
I laugh. “Exactly.”
“Give Luna a list. She normally orders groceries a couple of times a week. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to add anything that would make you feel more at home.”
“I’m perfectly capable of doing my own shopping.”
Liam lets out a low laugh. “I’m sure you are. But Luna is also happy to help. Anything you need. Or maybe I can help? I’d be happy to take you.”
I look at him skeptically. “You’re not busy?” I ask.
“I don’t have classes today.” When I don’t respond, he continues. “I’m a creative writing professor.”
I hum in acknowledgment. “I see.” Suddenly, an idea forms. I wasn’t really looking forward to lazing about the castle until my meetings later, and if Liam is willing to drive me around… “Perhaps while we’re at it, we can pick up a few things for around the house?” I suggest.
He stands up and gives me a friendly smile. Something about him is comforting—like the older brother I never had.
“I’d be happy to help. What did you have in mind?”
I shrug as I take a sip of my god-awful tea. “Some color, perhaps? If I’m going to live here for a year, I need to liven the place up a bit.”
Liam cocks his head as he crosses his arms. “Does Miles know about this?”
I grin. “I may have undersold my penchant for color.”
This makes him smile more. “Let’s go, then.”
Following him out of the kitchen, we walk side by side toward the front of the castle.
“Are you and Miles close?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Yeah. I mean, all five of us are close, but Miles and I are the two oldest. We spent our childhood looking after the others, you know? But he works with Chase, the second youngest, so the two of them have a close working relationship.”
“What made you choose creative writing?” I ask, grabbing my purse from the table foyer and following him out to the driveway.
“I’ve always enjoyed writing. Something about giving into my muse sets my soul on fire,” he says slowly, opening the passenger door of a black Jeep Wrangler and gesturing for me to climb inside. It’s covered in dirt, and I wonder briefly what Liam does during his free time. Once he’s inside, he turns to me. “And what about you? What sets your soul on fire, Stella?”
I smile as we drive away, knowing that Liam and I are going to get along swimmingly.
* * *
The next three days follow the same sort of pattern. Liam and I ended up spending all morning together on my first day at Ravage Castle, and then he drove me to the fanciest supermarket I’ve ever seen, where I picked out all the fancy black tea my heart could ever desire.
