Page 43 of Just Between Us

Then a thought springs to mind. Penny and Austin mentioned Liam’s reputation, but what if they’re so far off base it’s the opposite? He friend-zoned me right away, and he stayed in Nashville last night. Maybe he has someone there and he’s trying to be respectful of her? I’ve never asked about relationships,and he’s never offered any information. Liam seems to have thismind his own businessair about him, so I’ve taken those cues and rolled with it.

“I mean, I get it. You’re trying to do the right thing for whoever lives in Nashville. I get it.”

His mouth opens and closes several times before words form. “There isn’t anyone in Nashville.”

I put up a hand. “You don’t owe me an explanation. It doesn’t matter. You’re already doing so much.”

“Cassie, that’s not what this is. Scout’s honor.” He holds up a hand sign that is not the Boy Scouts’.

“That’sStar Trek, Liam. You were not a boy scout.”

Liam’s mouth turns up in a crooked grin and he gives one quick shake of his head. “Definitely not. They’d have kicked me out. But my point still stands. I’m trying to do the decent thing here.”

Closing my eyes, I let out a beleaguered sigh. “Today has been a horrible day. I’m tired. You invited me to stay with you. Your mom fed me. You’re doing better than decent. But we are both adults who are capable of sharing a bed together. Especially yours.” I fling an arm in the direction of his room. “It’s massive.”

Liam rocks onto his heels, flicking his eyes to the ceiling and after several tense seconds his gaze settles back on me. “Fine.”

A laugh bursts from me. “Fine? Wow. I know I looked like an urchin earlier, but surely the idea of sharing a bed with me isn’t that bad.”

Liam grabs his pillow and edges past, leading the way to his room. But right as our shoulders brush, I think I hear him grumble out the words “Fucking tiny sleep top.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. The tips of his ears have turned pink, and by the way he refuses to look at me, I can tell he’s already flustered, which is a new look for him. It’s adorable.

Liam’s comforter lies in a messy rumpled heap on his bed, and he quickly tries to straighten it, rushing to my end to dragthe blankets to the headboard, and then around to his before folding it back in a quick attempt at a made-up bed. I watch on with amusement, but don’t utter a word. I can tell he’s trying to make this evening as easy and fuss free as he can for me.

With the comforter ready, I climb in, Mutt jumping up to scramble into a spot next to me. Liam shucks off his pants and reaches behind his head to remove his T-shirt.

Let it be known right now, I’ve seen Liam Davis shirtless a handful of times at this point. What I haven’t seen is Liam in nothing but his boxer briefs. And I’m still a female who’s allowed to notice when the male specimen before me looks like he’s carved from marble, friends or not.

I suck in an involuntary breath through my teeth, and Liam rumbles out a chuckle.

“Wishing I was on the couch?”

“Of course not. I’ve just never seen an ass that’s so…” My words trail off because Liam’s ass is, well, of all the asses I’ve seen, his ranks at the top.I wish I could bite it.The thought slams into me before I know what’s happening, and my body heats from head to toe. Thank you, thin pajamas.

Liam flips off the bedside lamp, and I’m glad he didn’t witness whatever just happened.

When my head hits the pillow, I’m enveloped in the very essence of Liam. His dog, every unique scent I’ve assigned to him, not to mention his actual very solid presence lying across from me.

“Night, Liam.”

Several heartbeats pass with Liam settling under the covers, Mutt curling up between us.

“And for what it’s worth, you’d have been the best boy scout of them all.”

Liam gives a short breath of a laugh and then falls silent. A moment later, I hear him whisper, “Good night, angel.”

I bury my face in the pillow with one long exhale. The sun will rise tomorrow and time will march on. I’ll still have to dealwith the emotions surrounding my mom and my father. But my quiet night, away from reality, here with my best friend, will be a night I keep tucked into my memories for years to come. Sleep finds me quickly as the sands of exhaustion leave my body.

My sleep is restless, with dreams from my childhood of my mom’s screams. Nothing about the dreams come clearly, only that. The sound of my mom panicking and in pain.

Twice during the night, strong arms banded around me with kisses to my temple. The first time was a hushed murmur of “Shh, I’ve got you.” But the next time, unless it was all a dream, I’m certain I heard the words “Stay with me, Jules.”But like I said, it was probably a dream.

I can tell by the angle the sunlight streams through the window it’s still early. A warm tongue licks my hand, and with a groan, I peel one eye open. Mutt sits, happy as a clam, his little tongue licking my upturned palm like he’s personally responsible for my well-being. He even looks proud of himself. His hairless snout seems to wear a self-satisfied expression that saysSee? I’m taking care of you, too.I give him scratches on his head and slowly drag myself from Liam’s cloud of a bed.

The sound of a piano being played drifts from the front of the house, and I wrap myself in an afghan that’s folded on a chair in the corner. With quiet footsteps, I pad across the cool oak floor and into the living room, the afghan trailing behind me like a wedding train.

I find Liam sitting at his piano, eyes closed, fingers moving across the keys. The song isn’t one I’m familiar with, but the moment feels intimate all the same, as though I’ve stumbled onto a moment meant only for Liam. Pausing in the doorway, I rest my head on the wooden frame and let my eyes drift closed, letting the music wash over me.