Page 98 of Just Between Us

“Yeah, well.” He glances down at the carrier, his eyes softening. “We came to an understanding.”

“I’m really glad she found you,” I tell him, meaning it more than he probably knows.

“She would’ve tried to smuggle that cat home with us in her purse if you hadn’t shown up,” Liam says, sliding an arm around my waist. There’s affection in his voice that makes my stomach turn in a delicious coil, but it’s nothing compared to the feel of his hand settling firm against my hip. My knees go weak and all thoughts scatter in the wind. My only focus is on Liam’s hand where it rests casually like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like his arm has circled my waist a thousand times.

“Cassie’s been eyeing Duchess all day.”

It takes me a second to remember we’re talking about the cat. I blink, forcing my brain to catch up.

“Well, look at her, Liam!” I gesture to the carrier. “She’s perfect.”

“She hissed at a toddler.”

I make apsssshhsound and wave a hand. “That toddler probably had it coming.”

Marcus quietly watches us with a small smile on his face. “You two make a cute couple.” Turning to Liam, he says, “Hope you got her something nice for Valentine’s Day.”

“Oh no,” I interject, waving both hands. “We aren’t a couple.” But Liam’s arm looped around my waist says otherwise. The words hang in the air, and I immediately wish I could take them back. Still, we aren’t a couple. I have no clue what the hell we are.

Marcus’s expression shifts, somewhere between apologetic and confused. “My bad. Just seemed like—” He stops himself, clearly realizing he’s stepped into something. “You know what, I think I’ll stop while I’m ahead.”

“It’s complicated,” Liam explains.

“Best things usually are,” Marcus says with a little twinkle in his eye. “Anyway, thanks for your help. House was getting too quiet, ya know? Figured it was time for some company.” He looks down at the carrier affectionately. “Even if she hates me.”

“Pretty sure that’s what cats do best,” Liam says, the corner of his mouth lifting, all awkward tension from seconds ago gone.

“Yeah, well. She looks like she’s been through some shit. Figure we’ll understand each other. But like I said, thanks.” He dips his chin and turns, leaving Liam and me still standing so close our shoulders brush.

After a beat, Liam drops his arm. “You wanna come back to my place? Watch a movie or something?”

“Or something?” I echo, one eyebrow raised. “Is this your version of Netflix and chill?”

A wicked grin spreads across his face, eyes heating. “Got something else in mind?”

My heart trips over itself at the challenge in his voice, but I don’t back down. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”

It’s a bold response. Bolder than I’ve been in a while. But the way he’s looking at me makes me feel brave.

“I’d love to watch a movie…” I pause for a beat. “Or something.”

The door to Liam’s truck is barely closed before words come tumbling out. “So…Marcus thinking we’re a couple.”

Liam starts the engine, lips twitching, but he remains quiet as he drives, wrist draped over the wheel. Is he just going to leave me hanging like that? We’re stopped at a red light, when he turns to me, green eyes searing. “We’re not,nota couple.”

Something corkscrews around my ribs, and I have to swallow.We’re not, not a couple.The words loop over each other in my head as I try to parse what that means. We’ve acknowledged the feelings we both have. Then there was that kiss. He asked me to be his Valentine with a handwritten note that you better believe I’ll be confiscating as soon as I can. And then there was his hand on my hip like it belonged there.

“That’s a double negative” is my stupid response.

“But it’s accurate. Am I wrong?” Liam glances my way and back to the road. “You’re overthinking over there.”

“I’m a therapist. Overthinking is literally in the job description.”

“That’s fair.” He pulls into the driveway and kills the engine, turning to face me fully. “Look. I’m out of practice at this. The relationship stuff, talking about feelings stuff.” His hand finds mine where it rests on my thigh. “I have feelings for you,” he says, a rough edge to his voice. “I’ve had them for a while. And I’m working on myself in therapy because I want to be someone who can actually show up for you…for us.” He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “I don’t know exactly what comes next, and I’m not expecting you to have all the answers either. I just…I want to see where this goes, if you do, too.”

“I do,” I agree, softly. “I’d like to see where this goes.”

The smile that spreads across his face is devastating. Affectionand desire rise to the surface simultaneously, so sharp I have to force myself to breathe around it.