“I’ll see you later then,” Emily said as she jogged toward the office door.
She left the office and I picked up the phone.
“Mr. Jenkins,” I said. “I’ve been waiting to hear from you…”
My mind suddenly didn’t give a damn about the call or that my job was probably teetering on the line, meaning I had to make Mr. Jenkins happy.
All I could think about was one question.
Were Emily and I going out on a date tonight?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Emily
This has nothing to do with his wedding. This has nothing to do with helping Miranda. This has nothing to do with… what?
I sucked in a very shaky breath as I stared at myself in the bathroom mirror.
There was a really big part of me that said what I was doing was wrong. Very wrong.
But how true was that?
I’ve known Liam for a long time. We never did anything. Maybe in my mind and heart I fantasized about it. And maybe those fantasies (which never came true, by the way) had somehow manifested themselves into something like memories, which meant spending time with Liam felt wrong.
When it wasn’t wrong at all.
We were two friends. Old friends.
We’re just-
The doorbell buzzed.
I exhaled the same shaky breath and dove out of the bathroom.
I looked down at myself.
More proof that tonight was just two friends hanging out.
I wore old shoes, my favorite jeans, and a long sleeve shirt. Nothing fancy at all. The comfy jeans were deemed that because they were worn, broken in, and believe me, they did nothing to help with my figure. Nothing was hugged. Nothing was showing off. Nothing was going to be tick-tocking Liam into submission.
When I opened the apartment door, Liam smiled, holding a single pink orchid.
“For laughs,” he said as he handed me the flower.
“Did you seriously buy this and carry it around?” I asked.
“Like I said, for laughs.”
Well, job well done.
I laughed and took the flower from him.
“I know it’s informal or whatever, but I don’t think it’s right to pick up a woman for a night out without giving her a flower,” Liam said.
I put the orchid down on the table next to the door. “So how many women do you secretly take out?”
“Oh, I thought you knew about my side business.”
“And what’s that?” I asked as I stepped out of the apartment, pulling the door shut, checking it was locked.
“My dating service,” Liam said. “I figured I have so much charm to offer the world, why not spread it around?”
“As long as you’re not spreading crabs, right?”
“Come on, Em, you know I’m more of a lobster guy anyway.”
I looked at Liam and punched his arm. “That’s gross.”
He laughed and bumped his hand into mine.
We both froze in place.
I wasn’t sure if he just tried to hold my hand or…
Liam cleared his throat. “Ready?”
We were already halfway toward the exit.
I smiled and nodded.
Was I actually ready for tonight?
Hell. No.
A guy named Dozer stood at the door and let us in.
“It’s open mic tonight,” he said. “So if I have that itch to try out your voice, tonight’s the night.”
Liam looked at me and I shook my head.
“Don’t even,” I warned.
He showed his hands and we went into the music club.
It was about three-fourths full. The stage was bigger than it looked from outside. With rich, purple lights shining down on an empty, wooden barstool and a mic stand.
I swallowed hard when I saw it.
Then I nibbled on my bottom lip…
“Imagining yourself up there, Em?” Liam asked.
“No,” I lied.
Liam laughed and gently touched my wrist.
I gasped.
But he had no choice other than to touch my wrist. To guide me to the bar. To keep me and him from getting separated.
Of course the second we got to the bar, we were greeted by a beautiful woman with pitch-black hair, vixen eyes, and tattoos on her wrists.
“What can I get the happy couple?” she asked.
At that point, Liam and I looked at each other and laughed it off.
“Two beers,” Liam said.
I nudged my elbow into Liam. “She’s your type, I bet. She tells the story without even talking to her.”
Liam leaned against the bar. “Is that so, Em? Did you forget the part where I’m engaged?”
I gasped. Heat rushed to my face.
You forgot he’s engaged…
“Oh, I’m just kidding,” I said. “You know that. I’m picking on you. I meant that, you know, if you didn’t give up the skateboarding life… she would have been your type.”
The bartender came back with two beers.
Liam paid.
I didn’t even attempt to offer money for the drink.
Instead, my embarrassment ran through my body.
“And what about you?” Liam asked as he turned away from the bar.
I followed him as he walked. “What about me?”
“Where did it all get twisted?” He looked down at me for a second as we walked. “I was skateboarding, causing trouble, the cops chasing me around town. Now I’m wearing a suit, defending trademarks and patents. And you were a great singer. Playing guitar. Secretly dreaming of becoming a musician.”
“Things change,” I said.
“When you moved away, right?”
Liam stopped at an empty table and pointed.
I nodded.
He pulled a chair out for me and swung around to sit across from it.
“So what happened, Em?” Liam asked. “I know we faded apart. Which sucked. But we met again at the college.”
Where I introduced you to Miranda and you two hit it off and then took off to law school…
“You know what, Liam?” I asked. “Does any of it matter?”
Liam leaned forward and opened his mouth.
“Hello out there!” a voice boomed through the microphone.
I looked to the stage and saw three women.
“I’m Carla. This is Faye and Robin. We’re going to sing. Is that okay?”
A handful of people clapped.
“When are you going to sing, Em?” Liam called out to me.
I looked at him and shook my head. “Never.”
“I skateboarded and almost lost my life,” he said. “The least you can do is sing.”
I put my finger to my lips.
The three women started to sing.
Which saved
