It would be so easy to give in and let him take care of her. Nobody would mess with her if Liam was around. Physically fit and strong, as well as easy on the eye, he’d be the perfect person to shield her from the horrors that haunted her.
But it wasn’t what she wanted. More than anything, Aggie needed to know she was still the same person she used to be. Somehow, she had trouble believing it, which made her think that Liam wouldn’t either. Once he knew, he’d never look at her the same way again.
Was she ready for that?
She lay her head back against the wall while he made them both a cup of tea. When he came back in and placed her cup down on the table, she opened her eyes and stared into his face. His usually soft lips were tight and his warm hazel eyes concerned. She saw nothing but love and concern there. It broke her heart that she felt it was misplaced no matter how much she wanted it.
“Where’s your other baker? Lauren, isn’t it?”
“She called in sick.”
“So, you’re here on your own?”
“Looks like it, but I often work alone. I’ll make sure to lock the door when you leave.”
“Aggie, I want to help you sort out whatever’s bothering you.”
“Nothing’s bothering me. Stop fussing. You’re not my mother.”
“But I’m your friend. At least I used to be. Let me in, Aggie. Let me help you find your happy again.”
“You can’t.” Nobody could.
“Only because you won’t let me.” He perched his hip on the corner of her cluttered desk and sipped at his cup. “I know something happened and you don’t want to talk about it. But you can’t keep going like this.”
“Nothing happened and I’m fine.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. Why can you tell April what’s wrong but not me? We were tight once. You told me everything back then.”
She glared at him, her mouth tight.
“Before you go off in a tangent, no, April hasn’t said anything. Oh, Drew tried to get it out of her, and you know your brother. He hates that you’re keeping something from him. But she’s staying tight-lipped. It was more what she didn’t say that made me think. And the way you acted just now only confirmed it. Someone hurt you, didn’t they? Something happened in Seattle before you came back to the island.”
Tears flooded her eyes and she brushed them away angrily. “No. Nobody hurt me.”
“I don’t believe you. But I will respect you, Aggie. Let me in; let us be friends again.”
“I’m too busy for more than what we have now.”
“We don’t have anything anymore—haven’t for ages—but I guess you hadn’t noticed. You’ve closed yourself off to everyone, including me.”
The anger shone in his eyes and Aggie would give anything to change that, but she couldn’t do it. He’d look at her differently. Everyone would. There’d be pity and sorrow. And disgust would follow. Dismay. Then the criticism would kick in. What had she done to deserve it? Maybe if she’d dressed differently, or found a job that didn’t require her to walk home at night. She’d been asking for it. Wasn’t that the usual saying? So much for the #metoo movement. Some people still looked upon women as easy targets. No way would she leave herself open for that kind of response.
She wasn’t about to let Liam look at her the way she imagined he would. She didn’t want his pity. She’d wanted his love, his respect once upon a time. That was now out of her reach. She’d settle for indifference instead. It would be less painful.
“I’m not leaving you alone tonight. You do your thing and I’ll sit quietly here in the office so you feel safe. If you want me to help make bread, you’ll have to show me what to do.”
Surely he didn’t mean it? She couldn’t work with him hovering over her. “Don’t be ridiculous. You have work tomorrow. How do you think your patients will feel if you fall asleep while tending to them because you’ve been playing in the bakery all night?”
“Either you let me stay, or I’ll call and get your father down here to help. Your choice.”
She bristled. He would too. “Fine. Keep out of my way then. I have lots to do.”
She grabbed her cup and stormed out of the office, hoping he had the most uncomfortable night stuck in her small room. She sure as hell would with him sitting within reach, looking so damned sexy in his casual pants and white shirt. Bastard. He was a distraction she might want but certainly didn’t need.
Chapter 6
Despite her earlier misgivings about having him around, Liam had managed not to annoy Aggie too much. He’d listened as she gave him clipped instructions and followed them to the letter, so as not to piss her off. Occasionally Liam noticed her watching him with a look on her face he couldn’t decipher. Was it hope, sadness or exhaustion? He’d go with the first thought and see where that took them.
By the time her shift had finished, she’d been too tired to argue when he offered her a lift home. As he pulled up outside her house, she glanced over at him.
“You didn’t have to drop me home. I could’ve walked.” Aggie held her hand on thedoor handle and then pulled it away when she left flour fingerprints on it. “Sorry. Occupational hazard.”
“Don’t worry about it. And Aggie, you’re going to have to talk to me sooner or later, because you need someone. I want that someone to be me.”
She stumbled from the car and slammed the door before looking back through the open window, an eyebrow raised as she stared at him. “You don’t listen, do you?”
But the sting had gone out of her voice. Liam grinned. “You should know that by now. I mean it, Aggie. I’m here for you whether you like it or not. See you tonight.”
Aggie frowned.
“Wedding rehearsal, remember?”
She
