Page 5 of Dancing With Redemption

“I suppose. It’s been a long time since I’ve been home.” She smiled weakly and sipped at the glass of water he’d poured her. “I see the fence was replaced with a stone wall. Do you remember the birdhouse that used to be there?”

She wasn’t sure why she asked, whether to prompt his memory about what they used to mean to each other, or just out of curiosity, but the words were out before she could stop them.

“I think so, yes. I’m not sure who put it there or why. We never put birdfeed in it, and I never saw a bird near it. I think it was too exposed for any bird families to move in.” His smile was charming but devoid of any memory associated with letters or the secret words he’d written to her.

No matter, she decided, even if she had kept the last letter he’d written to her. Lincoln had replaced all of the men in her life, as if he’d stamped himself all over her to warn other men away. At least, that’s how she felt when she thought about it. Even if he was done with her, she still felt like she belonged to him, despite how she’d run away.

“Does your wife or girlfriend plan to come to dinner tonight?” She asked him, wondering if there was someone special in his life.

Liam smiled a smile so charming it nearly disarmed before he even spoke. “No, I’m not seeing anyone at the moment. No wife, no boyfriends either, before you ask.”

His wink told her he was teasing her, making her smile with a soft laugh. “Well, things change. I miss how simple and innocent life used to be sometimes, but I wouldn’t be bothered if you had a boyfriend, you know? It wouldn’t shock me, I mean.”

Now she was flubbing again.

“I’m sure it wouldn’t, but no, I like women. In fact, I wish I’d had the courage to tell you how much I liked you before you disappeared, but I never could get the nerve up.” Liam took a drink of his scotch before he put the glass down on a coaster and looked at her.

Roxie frowned, confused. But he had told her, in every letter he wrote to her. Maybe he just meant he regretted not saying it to her face. Oh well, it was all in the past now anyway.

“All water under the bridge, now,” Roxie said finally, knowing that Liam could never replace Lincoln in her heart. It was a pity, but that was just the fact.