Page 39 of Free to Fall

Before I can swipe my card, Liam is there first, tapping his. “I just hope one of those is for me so I can lord it over him tomorrow.”

A tiny smile lifts my lips. “It is.”

Liam places a hand at the small of my back, sending fireworks up and down my spine, causing my breath to be left at the counter as he guides us away from the point of sale. I dismiss the action as Liam being courteous when we stop at two overstuffed chairs separated by a small travertine table. Still, my body quakes, missing the warmth of his flesh where the warmth of his hand scorched through my shirt. “Thanks for meeting me here. This way I can pick up dinner for the family.”

“Ah, I’ve heard of this myth at corporate—the legendary Genoa order.”

“They talk about Genoa at HQ? Aren’t you all supposed to be saving the world?”

“First, the team is investigators, not superheroes.”

“Except you.”

“I’m the one who keeps them from being audited.”

“Ah, you’re just their superhero.”

Liam grins. “Second, I’ve been in the room when Caleb or Keene has received a directive to show up with food or not to show up at all.” Christ, I wish I could lie to myself and say it was just my stomach that clenches at its appeal.

I try for dry to hide my reaction. “Let me guess—wedding season?”

He tilts his head. “Is there a time for your family when it’s not wedding season?”

I pretend to give it some thought. Amaryllis Events is the brainchild owned by my mother and her siblings. It’s one of the most successful event planning businesses in the United States, if not the world. “Any day that’s the thirteenth or April Fools.”

“So, your family gets thirteen non-sequential days off a year.”

“Pretty much.”

Maya brings over our coffees, and immediately I know Nik must be hanging out in the back as they’re served with decadent chocolate caramel brownies on the house. Liam’s expression morphs into one of salaciousness as he stares down at the sinfulness before him.

I thank Maya and ask her to pass along my thanks to my cousin.

That snaps Liam out of his trance. “Your cousin?”

I nod at the brownie. “Colby’s caramel is only served with a side of chocolate caramel brownies for family, Liam. Enjoy the special treatment.”

“I’m seriously going to lord this over him.”

“I expect no less.” I lift the brownie to my lips and take a bite, moaning as I chew.

Liam’s hand freezes partway to his mouth with the brownie. His voice is husky when he asks, “That good?”

“Better than good.” I nod in the direction of the small treat in his hand. “Try it and you tell me.”

He takes a bite and his eyes close as the chocolate and caramel flavors explode on his tongue. I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little bit jealous that a bite of brownie brought out his whispered, “Sweet merciful God.”

Suddenly, Liam’s ecstatic expression turns to a frown. I ask, “Is there something wrong with your drink?”

“I’ve been thinking about this since the moment your uncle brought it up.”

I lean forward. “What is it?”

“How did we never meet before?”

I hold up two fingers and then flip them around. “Two reasons. Medical school and residency.”

“The hospital kept you that busy?”

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