I take the cake from him and he puts his hand on the small of my back as we walk to the front door, and I like the way he’s always touching me with such caring hands. I balance the cake and I’m about to knock when the door flies open. Violet’s gaze goes back and forth between the two of us and a blush spreads across my face. Dammit, one look and she can tell we’ve been sleeping together. I haven’t divulged that little secret yet, to her or Emma, but tonight, there’s no hiding the truth and I expect an inquisition.
“Liam,” she says. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Harper and Gavin have been keeping you all to themselves.” She gives a playful wag of her brows. “I guess now I know why.”
“Liam, this is Violet. My former best friend.”
Liam laughs and shakes her hand. “Nice to meet you, Violet. I must confess though, it’s me whose been keeping Harper and Gavin to myself. I’d like to say I’m sorry, but I’m not really.”
Violet’s very pleased dark eyes assess Liam as she steps back to make room for us to enter. Laughter comes from the other room, and I assume we’re the last ones here for the dinner party. She nudges me, and gives me a scornful look, one filled with questions like: why didn’t you tell me you were sleeping with him? I make a shushing sound, and we follow her to the kitchen.
“What can I get you guys to drink?”
“Soda for me,” Liam says quickly, and Violet looks at him like he just sprouted a hockey stick from his head. “Designated driver,” he explains.
“How thoughtful,” she says. “Wine for you, Harper?”
I nod and she pours me a generous glass. “Okay, let’s go meet everyone, and I apologize in advance, Liam.”
We follow her to the living room, and I glance at Liam. “I feel bad that you’re not drinking. Gavin is my responsibility, not yours.”
“I don’t need a drink to have a good time, and besides, I told you, I wanted to take care of you and Gavin. It’s not just that I want to, Harper, I enjoy it.”
My stupid heart does a little flip, but I don’t have time to examine it when Jason tries to jump from his chair, and nearly topples backward. I mouth the words, “Smooth, Jason,” when his gaze bobbles back and forth between Liam and me. I mean, he knew Liam was coming, but I guess seeing him up close and personal is a whole other ballgame, or should I say, hockey game.
“Liam,” he finally says, the room full of couples falling silent as everyone gawks at Liam, and I don’t blame them. He is kind of impressive. Why he’s no one’s favorite is beyond me.
“Nice to meet you, Jason,” he says casually, and extends his arm. Jason hurries to him and they shake, and a few minutes later, after the introductions to Jason’s brothers and their wives, and getting the hockey talk out of the way, Liam and I take a seat, and conversation turns to other things. I snuggle in next to him as both Violet and Emma stare at me, trying to get my attention so I’ll slip into the other room and give the deets on our bedroom antics. But I tease them, pretend I don’t notice them, but I did notice the hottie Emma is with. He really seems into her.
After torturing them long enough, I glance at Liam and say, “You’ll be okay? I’m going to get a refill.” He gives me a nod and smile and I head to the kitchen, and chuckle as Violet and Emma excuse themselves and come rushing in after me.
Violet skids to a halt. “Girlfriend, you’ve got some explaining to do.”
“Who me?” I ask, all wide-eyed and innocent. “What on earth would I have to explain?”
“Just that you’re tapping that, and didn’t even think to tell us. Spill,” Emma says, and pours more wine into her glass.
A bubble of excitement wells up inside me. “Yeah, I am tapping that.” The girls hoot, and then quickly clamp their hands over their mouths when I hush them. “Good God, quiet down before Liam hears you.”
“Everything.” Emma holds her hand out, palm up and wiggles her fingers. “Now.”
“It just sort of happened, over and over again,” I say with a chuckle I can’t contain, my heart light and full of giddiness.
“It’s nice to see you happy, Harper.” Violet gives me a big smile.
“You really like him, huh?” Emma says, and I don’t miss the hint of worry wrapped around her words.
“He’s really a nice guy, and yes, I like him. I wouldn’t be sleeping with him if I didn’t like him.”
She angles her head, her lips thinning, and I get it. She thinks I’ve fallen for him and I haven’t. I don’t think. I hold my hands up. “Stop right now. This is just a hook-up. We decided to have a little fun together before he left for training.”
“I think he really likes you too, Harper,” Violet says.
“You do?” I ask far too quickly, because once again Emma is looking at me with concern all over her face. “Listen, you were the one who told me to turn my ‘beaver-can’t do’, into a ‘beaver-can do’, Emma. Trust I know what I’m doing, okay?”
“Okay,” she says, dropping it. She leans into me. “Are the rumors true?”
“What rumors?”
“You know…” She glances over her shoulder to ensure we’re alone. “That he has a big, you know…stick.”
Wine nearly comes out my nose as I laugh. “That, my friend, is not your business.”
She sits back in her chair all smug like. “You don’t need to answer. It’s all over your face.”
“Speaking about all over your face,” Violet teases.
“Oh my God, stop,” I shriek.
“What’s all over whose face?” Jason asks, coming into the kitchen to grab some more beers. He takes one look at his
