“I get it,” he interrupts. “ I do, but maybe you should take a break. You don’t want to push yourself too hard, too soon. It’s not productive.”
I stand and stretch again, realizing how stiff I really am, and he smirks because he knows he’s right.
“Look, it’s after five. Let’s go out and have a drink or something.”
Shaking my head, I look at him like he’s lost his mind.
“Come on. Please? I’ll even pay!” He gives me big puppy dog eyes as he continues to beg.
“I don’t feel like it. Being around people is the last thing I want to do right now,” I admit.
“Sophieeeeeee. Pretty, pretty, pretty please. Just one drink. That’s all, I promise.” Liam is ridiculous, and it’s hard for me to say no when he acts like this.
“Ugh,” I say with a groan.
“So does that mean yes?” A smirk plays on his lips.
“I guess! You’re so dramatic,” I tell him. He holds out his hand like he wants a high five, but I totally leave him hanging.
“We’re leaving in ten minutes. I don’t want to give you any time to change your mind,” he singsongs and walks out of my room.
I put my violin in the case, but I’ll practice again tomorrow with a clear head and be more than ready in a couple of days. The last thing I want to do is to let down my director, my colleagues, and more importantly, myself. After I change out of my work clothes, I walk out of my room, and he’s already waiting by the door.
“Why are you dressed so nice?” I look at him from head to toe.
“To impress the hoes,” he says matter-of-factly, causing me to snort.
“I’m telling Maddie,” I tease as we walk out to his truck.
“Don’t. She’s the biggest cock block out there.”
And we all know that’s the truth. Maddie’s become more brave over the past few months, marking her territory and scaring off any girl who comes within a five-mile radius of Liam when she’s around. It’s actually pretty funny to watch.
Instead of going to one of our regular hangouts, Liam drives us to a wine bar. We walk inside and sit, and I’m excited to try all the different wines they have. The list is a mile long.
“I hope you’re not expecting me to put out after this.” I glance over at him after seeing how expensive everything is.
“Nah, but maybe you could do my dirty laundry,” he jokes, but I don’t think he’s kidding.
I order a white zinfandel, and Liam gets a Pinot Noir. Jazz music plays in the background, and light from the candles along the bar flicker against the wall. The mood is dark and quiet, not loud like most of the places we typically go to, and I’m actually grateful he brought me here. It’s relaxing.
“You know, sometimes when I visit places like this, I like to make up stories about other people in the room. Pretend they’re millionaires who like to slum with the commonfolk or drug lords. Like that guy over there…” Liam tilts his head.
I peek around and look. “The guy with the mustache?”
“Yeah, he has four wives, and they all live together. Right now, he’s waiting for his girlfriend to arrive so he can propose to her and make her his fifth wife.” Liam narrows his eyes then chuckles.
“Oh my God. You’re ridiculous,” I say, but it is funny. “So what about that woman over there?”
“She killed her husband so she could cash in ten million dollars worth of insurance money. Her dream has always been to buy a private island, and once she gets the money, all her dreams are going to come true,” he says so confidently I almost believe the silly story.
“And the bartender?” I ask.
“Trust fund baby, but runs an underground drug ring and uses his inheritance to fund it all. Next.” He grins.
“You’re way too good at this. Who would’ve thought you had such a wild imagination.” I’m laughing, smiling, having a good time, and it feels so nice.
Liam shrugs. “I know. It’s how I occupy myself in airports, considering I’ve been traveling so much lately. There are so many people in there it’s easy to just think about how crazy their lives could be. Who knows, it could be true even though there’s like a one in a million chance.” He finishes his wine and orders another, and I get one too, but this time, I switch to a merlot. For the first time all week—hell, all month—I have a sense of calmness, and I’m grateful for Liam’s friendship, more than he even knows. It’s almost as if I feel like myself right now at this moment, and I don’t want it to end.
“Talk to Mason today?” he asks, abruptly moving the conversation to me.
Our new glasses are placed in front of us. Sipping my wine, I give him a nod. “Yeah, he told me he’d be home somewhat late, but that’s about it.” Before he can continue with Mason as the subject, I quickly change the subject. “So you’re coming to Maddie’s recital, right?”