“Do you? Why? So both of us can worry instead of just one?”
“Yes. Exactly.”
He frowned. “I disagree. Seeing you worrying wouldn’t help one bit.”
I blinked, taking a step back. “So, what...your solution is just not telling me things?”
Liam looked like he very much wanted to say yes. Before he had a chance to voice that thought, we heard a knock at the door.
“It’s me,” Skye said.
“Come in,” I replied, holding Liam’s gaze. Neither of us said anything more as my sister came in.
“Hey. Oh, Liam. I didn’t know you were here. Am I interrupting you two?”
“No, not at all,” Liam said smoothly. “I brought pizza for everyone.”
Skye laughed, peeking at the box. “You mean for you and Tess, but it’s huge enough for all of us. Let’s dig in. I’m starving.”
We all leaned against the desks, eating while standing. I wanted to continue the conversation with Liam, but I honestly didn’t know how. He was disarming me with his charm and beautiful words, and I wasn’t sure how to make him understand that this was very important to me. I believed communication was the basis for everything.
Skye seemed to pick up on the unease floating in the room, because she kept looking between us.
“This was delicious,” she said once the pizza was gone. “Liam, are you staying the whole afternoon?”
“Can’t. I just came for lunch. I’ll be here for the party later.”
“Okay, then get your charming self out of here so Tess and I can prepare everything. And no cute or sexy messages. Those always distract her.”
He chuckled. I smiled too, even though what I really wanted was to pull Liam to one side and discuss things with him until we were on the same page. But since I had no plan, I stayed put.
He gave me a quick peck on the forehead, looking me straight in the eyes.
“See you later,” I murmured. “Thanks for lunch.”
After a beat, he nodded and bid Skye goodbye before leaving.
Once he was gone, my sister eyed me suspiciously. “Okay, so maybe my detective skills aren’t as sharp as yours, but there seemed to be something weird in the air.”
I sighed, walking over and leaning on her desk right next to her. I laced one arm with hers, resting my head on top of her shoulder.
“You’re right.”
I then proceeded to tell her everything.
“Wait a second. Of course this isn’t right. You’re supposed to know. We’re supposed to know, since this affects the business too.” Skye chewed on her lower lip, frowning.
“I have an idea. Let’s talk to Becca,” I suggested. “I keep feeling that Liam is downplaying everything, and I’d like to hear all the facts.”
“Good idea,” Skye said.
I called from my phone, which I put on speaker.
“Tess, what a surprise,” she greeted. I had little contact with her and David since Liam was our official mentor.
“Hi! Skye’s here too. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure. How can I help?”