But he was a big boy and he could take care of himself. And their little transgression had given her something very special. Being in his arms again had literally been a dream come true. And would lead to many more steamy dreams to fill her lonely nights.
“Hey, I saw you come out here. You looked upset.”
She glanced around to see Liam standing a few feet away.
“I needed some air.”
He walked toward her and sat on the bench beside her.
“It looked like you and your dad were having words. Did it have anything to do with me?” he asked, ignoring her explanation.
She laughed, trying to lighten her mood.
“Not everything’s about you, you know.”
He settled back on the bench. “Except when it comes to your unhappiness, it seems.”
She tipped her head back and nodded. “Yeah, well, signing the divorce papers would go a long way to fixing that.”
“And so would your accepting the settlement I offered.”
“Liam, I really don’t want to—”
He waved his hand. “I’m sorry. Let’s pretend I didn’t bring it up, okay?”
She smiled. “Okay.” She glanced at her hands. “Really, though, if you signed those papers, you’d be helping yourself out, too. You know my dad wants to talk to you about what’s taking so long.”
“Uh-oh. He never liked me.”
She laughed, knowing Liam wasn’t in the least bit worried. “Well, you did get his baby girl pregnant.”
He nodded. “So true.”
But behind the smile on his face, she saw the wistfulness. The regret.
She had to remember. This had been hard on him, too. Maybe his not letting go of her was because of his inability to let go of what they’d lost. The baby had meant everything to him. He wanted so desperately to be part of a loving family.
Her heart ached for him.
And for the fact that even if they could make things work between them, she could never give him that family.
She rested her hand on his. “We did our best. But now it’s time to let go.”
* * *
The feel of Abi’s hand on his tore at Liam’s heart. This quiet interlude where they’d been able to talk about what had happened without the intense emotions had been a welcome respite from the constant pain of losing her. But now she was asking for something from him he still wasn’t ready to give.
Even though the papers were sitting in his briefcase ready to be signed. Even though twenty-four hours ago he’d been all set to sign them. To give Abi her freedom.
But after last night … he couldn’t.
He had to find a way to save his marriage. But he knew it wasn’t going to happen this weekend.
“I still need time,” he said.
“How much time?” The bite of frustration in her voice set him on edge.
He stood up. “I’ll see you later. Maybe we can have a dance.”
Then he strolled away.
* * *
Del had seen Abi leave the ballroom before dinner was done, clearly upset by something her father had said. Then he’d seen Liam leave moments later.
Del excused himself from the head table as soon as he could, then strolled toward the courtyard, knowing that was exactly the type of place Abi would go to collect herself. He glanced out the large glass window just in time to see Liam strolling across the courtyard to another door leading into the hotel.
Del opened the door and walked to where Abi was sitting.
“Hi. May I join you?” he asked.
She glanced up and smiled, but there was sadness shadowing her eyes.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
In fact, she looked stunning in the royal-blue gown that wrapped at the waist, accentuating her slim waist.
“Thank you.” A slight blush colored her cheeks. “And you look very handsome in your tux.”
“I came out to see if you’re okay. It looked like you were having an argument with your dad.”
“Oh, God, does everyone know?”
“Don’t worry about that. I don’t think anyone else noticed. Not everyone keeps an eye on you like I do. And Liam, too, it seems. I saw he was out here with you.”
She frowned and nodded.
“So what’s going on?”
She shrugged. “Dad was expressing his opinion about how I’m handling the divorce. Spoiler: He thinks I’m doing it badly. And Liam … well, he says he still needs more time before he’s ready to sign the papers.”
“Do you want me to talk to him?”
She frowned. “Why do the men in my life all think they should talk to Liam for me?”
He laughed. “What, did Kurt offer to talk to him, too?”
“He didn’t offer. He just did it. He called Liam to make sure he came to the wedding. Both Claire and Kurt seem determined to push me back into Liam’s arms.”
Del’s stomach tightened. “And how’s that working?”
She gazed at him, her luminous blue eyes clouded. “I can’t go back to Liam. Nothing’s changed.”
He and Abi had talked about this many times. She believed Liam didn’t love her. Liam, on the other hand, had repeatedly told Del that he did love her. Del didn’t know what to believe, but he’d seen the pain Abi had suffered after losing the baby. He remembered the feel of her in his arms, her tears dampening his shirt when she’d desperately needed someone to talk to while Liam was cocooned in his own grief.
It seemed clear that Liam was not capable of being there for her the way she needed.
“So you’re still in limbo. I know that must be hard.”
She nodded, then her hand moved to his. The soft touch of her fingers on his set his heart pounding. He wanted so much to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
But what kind of friend would that make him?
As if reading his thoughts, she leaned in a little closer. He breathed in the delicate scent of her hair.
“Del, you and I have been friends for a long time now.” Her gaze grew more intense. “Have you ever thought about us being … more than friends?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Abi watched his
