Addiction (Bayfront Billionaires)

“Things are different now. We’re not strapped to anything. Except this desire to be with Liv.”

“What are we supposed to do?” Tristan replied quietly. “Scrap everything we’ve put into motion on the West Coast and move to New York?”

Nate sat back in his chair again, his gaze locked with Tristan’s, consternation churning in his gut. “I don’t know the answer. But given the breakthrough we’ve had with her lately, do we really want to backburner the progress we’ve all made? Or do we keep charging forward with something the three of us obviously want?”

* * *

Liv traveled the long corridors of the yacht club toward the formal dining room. She was starving and planned to have lunch, to hell with it being an hour before her final fitting with Ruby.

She spotted Fallon coming from the opposite direction and waved. When they met midway, Liv asked, “Have you eaten yet? I’m about to pass out.”

“You really did give up sugar, didn’t you?”

“Bread, Fallon. I gave up bread. That is just . . . inhumane.”

With a laugh, Fallon said, “You give up carbs all the time for your roles. Especially when you have to be in a bikini or tight pants.”

“Sure, but I’m usually singularly focused on the movie and can therefore channel every gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomach into my role. I have no serious channeling outlet at the moment. I mean, I’d gladly channel my cravings into sex but Nate and Tristan are working and not currently in town.”

Fallon frowned. “Honestly, you’d give the producers of The Bachelorette a run for their money in hooking you up if you were ever on their show.”

“I don’t need to be on The Bachelorette. I already know who I want—as you forced me to face at the party. So you know, too.”

“Why, yes, I do. Therefore, perhaps it’s my destiny to work a little magic and make sure it happens for the three of you.”

“This isn?

?t your normal retro Love Connection episode, Fallon.”

“Very true. But don’t forget that I have the unique experience of being in your shoes—and Nate and Tristan’s. I had my own evolution to contend with, Liv. It was difficult. Painful, even. But I knew exactly what I wanted. Dev and Morgan. And I was willing to do anything to land them. Especially when I discovered they were as deeply into me.”

“I can make the correlation, but—”

“No buts,” she said. “No more talking. It’s time for action.”

Liv sighed. “All good in theory. But here’s the reality I have yet to share with you. Nate and Tristan are staying in Cali. I’m moving to New York.”

Fallon’s face fell. “New York! Another Broadway show?”

“No. Something totally different.”

Liv explained about her change in career direction. She would have done it excitedly were it not for the agonizing awareness in the back of her head that she just couldn’t get geography to work in her favor when it came to matters of the heart.

“So you want to be a singer,” Fallon said. “I think that’s perfect.”

“Professionally, maybe. Total romance homicide, though.”

“I don’t know . . .” Fallon perked up, the corners of her mouth twitching as she tried to contain a smile. “How thrilled are you over the prospect of being in New York for a few years?”

“Already homesick and I haven’t even left. But it’s the price I have to pay.”

Fallon gripped Liv’s hand. “What if it’s not?”

“Fallon, understand that in order to—”

“Achieve one’s goals, you have to make sacrifices. I’m fully onboard with the concept. However, there could actually be perfect solutions right under your nose without you even realizing it. Come with me.”

“I seriously have to eat,” Liv insisted. “Too much caffeine and rabbit food does not a happy girl make.”