“I was just asking.”
I walked Elise to the table where Liam and I had been sitting.
When she sat across from me, she looked around. “I still can’t believe you’ve kept this place open.”
“Me either,” I said.
“Any idea what you’re going to do with it?”
“I don’t know. Run it?”
“You know what I mean,” she said.
“I have no idea, Elise. I jumped in headfirst and I’m figuring it out the best I can.”
“My crazy sister,” she said.
“You’re crazier than me,” I said.
“I think I can agree to that. When you’re married and have a kid, you lose your mind for sure.”
“You’ve been crazy since before that,” I said.
“Bitch,” Elise whispered.
I laughed.
“Well, look at this… the sisters of trouble…”
I turned my head and felt like groaning in disgust.
“Hey, Jeff,” Elise said. “What are you doing here?”
“Best coffee around,” he said. “Can’t miss it.”
“How many times have you been in here?” I asked.
“Not enough,” he said. He looked around. “Great place here. I can definitely help turn it all around. The business and the building.”
Jeff winked and knocked his knuckles on the table.
He went to get in line and I looked at Elise.
“I did not set that up,” she said. “I swear on my life.”
“Elise…”
“On Henley’s life,” she said.
“So you’re telling me that your husband’s douchebag best friend who claims he’s in love with me just shows up randomly when you’re here?”
“Yes,” Elise said. “And Jeff isn’t that bad.”
“I can’t stand him,” I said. “And you and Dan keep putting the bug in his ear that maybe something could happen between us.”
“Well, why not?” Elise asked. “He works with Dan. He’s smart. He’s funny. He can help with this place. For real, Emily.”
I sighed. “No. It’ll never happen. I want nothing to do with that guy.”
“So you just want to struggle to keep this place afloat, then have nobody?”
“Wow, you are just cutting into me today,” I said.
“I’m your sister. I love you. I’m never going to stop cutting into you. I’m sorry about what happened with Jon. You knew that was never going to work. I told you that from the second I met him.”
“And I can tell you right now that Jeff is not the guy for me,” I said.
“Then who is?” Elise asked.
I didn’t answer the question.
Partly because I told myself I had no answer.
But partly because I really did have an answer.
Chapter Seven
Liam
“Should we have a cigarette or go inside?” Jackson asked me.
“We don’t smoke,” I said.
“Exactly,” he said.
He reached for the door.
I looked around and shook my head.
I knew Miranda was stuck at the office.
Just like always.
It was a tough situation to be in. The more she did now the less she’d have to do later. It was the way up the corporate ladder of bullshit in life.
The only issue was that we made these dinner plans with Jackson and Callie two weeks ago.
When we got to the table, Callie was already there.
Sipping a glass of wine.
“You started without us?” Jackson asked.
“Don’t keep a pretty woman waiting,” Callie said. “Ever.” She looked at me. “Cheers, Liam.”
“Cheers, Callie,” I said. “How are you doing?”
“Great,” she said. “Where’s Miranda?”
I reached for my phone. “At the office. She’ll be here in a few.”
“Oh, how heartbreaking,” Jackson said.
Callie slapped his arm. “Don’t do that tonight. We talked about it.”
“Oh, right,” Jackson said.
“She cracks the whip, huh?” I asked.
“I don’t mind,” Jackson said.
“I’ll set on you next,” Callie said to me.
“You wouldn’t be the first woman trying to get herself between Jackson and I,” I said with a wink.
“Whoa, whoa,” Jackson said. “Secrets.”
“Oops,” I said.
“I want to hear this story,” Callie said.
“No, you don’t,” Jackson said.
“Are you getting flustered over there, man?” I asked. “You don’t want to tell Callie about all the crazy stuff we used to do?”
“I’d like to hear it,” a voice said.
I turned my head and a well-dressed waitress stood at the table.
Her black hair was pulled back tight and she smiled at me.
“Ah… not sure about that,” I said.
“Well, I’m here all night,” she said. “Can I get you anything? Are you still waiting for someone?”
“Possibly,” Jackson said. “Want to sit and join us?”
“I’d love to,” she said. “But I have to keep working.”
“Call in sick,” I said.
“I’m already here,” she said.
“Damn,” Jackson said.
“Will you two keep it in your pants?” Callie asked.
She and the waitress laughed.
Then the waitress touched my shoulder. “I’ll come check on you in a little bit. Part of me hopes you’re still alone. Is that wrong?”
I looked at her.
“Not at all,” Jackson said.
The waitress smiled and walked away.
Jackson slapped the table. “Now that’s what you need.”
“Shut up,” I said.
“She likes you,” he said.
“She’s working for tips. Back me up, Callie.”
“I don’t know,” Callie said. “She was heavy on you.”
“Come on, Liam,” Jackson said. “Just admit it. She was flirting with you.”
“Yeah, fine, she was flirting. Whatever. Flirting isn’t a crime. It doesn’t mean anything. Just cut it out, Jackson.”
“Okay, I’m done,” he said. “Let’s enjoy our dinner. Oh, hey, Miranda, how was your day?”
He nodded and smiled at the empty seat next to me.
I clenched my jaw and reached across the table for his drink.
An expensive whiskey that was smooth going down.
I needed a lot more than just one.
I was sipping my second whiskey when Miranda arrived.
The waitress had kept the drinks flowing with ease. Which wasn’t a good thing. I couldn’t get drunk again.
I stood up as Miranda rushed to the table.
She waved her phone in her hand.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “This fucking thing wouldn’t stop.”
She dropped the phone to the table.
She looked at me.
I smiled.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey,” she said.
I hugged her and kissed her cheek.
“I need a drink,” she said.
“Then sit down and relax,” I said. “Long day?”
“You have no fucking idea, Liam,” she snapped at me.
She sat down and looked at Jackson and Callie.
“Hi.”
“Hey, Miranda,” Jackson said.
“You look like you need two drinks,” Callie said. “Or more.”
“I’m not an alcoholic,” Miranda said.
“That’s not what she meant,” I said.
“I’m just having a day,” Miranda said. “These
