Page 43 of Second Chance Serenity

“You’re going through it, too.”

“Not like you are.” She smiles tightly at me and the doorbell rings again. Since I’m fairly positive I have no other exes that can show up, I head back into the living room to answer it.

And there stands Liam.

Wrong again. Though I suppose he’s not entirely an ex.

“Hi, Liam, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were coming over.” Another bouquet of red roses.

“Your mother invited me for dinner. I hope that’s okay?”

I shoot a glare over my shoulder only to catch my mother grinning like the crazy woman she is. Now I understand why she invited Michael over. She’s trying to make him jealous. To push him into sweeping me back off my feet, despite the fact that I’d like to keep them firmly planted on the ground.

Maybe having that conversation wouldn’t be such a bad thing. At least then she’d probably stop trying to push me back into his arms.

But seriously, don’t I have enough on my plate given the crazy man stalking me and the banquet coming up?

“Of course it’s okay.” I flash him a smile, then step aside so he can come in.

He leans in and kisses me on the cheek. “Whatever that is smells delicious.” He notices the other men on the couch. “Michael, Jaxson, good to see you both again.”

“Yeah. You, too,” Jaxson replies, shooting a grin at Michael, whose gaze hasn’t left me since Liam arrived.

Awkward, party of one.

“Let’s get those into some water,” I say, gesturing to the roses in his hand. As he follows me through the house roses still in his hand, I feel Michael’s burning gaze following me.

“Liam! So glad you can join us,” my mother greets him.

He offers her the roses. “These are for you. Thank you for having me.”

“You are too sweet.” She takes them as I fill a vase with water and set it on the counter.

“Not nearly as sweet as you are for inviting me.” Liam turns to me. “Can we talk somewhere a bit more private?”

“Sure.” I gesture toward the hallway, and he heads down toward the bedrooms. As soon as we’re in my childhood room, I close the door gently. “What is it?”

“I got this for you.” He reaches into his pocket and withdraws a velvet box. My stomach churns. Please no. Jewelry? Really?

“You didn’t need to get me anything.”

“I know, but I saw it and thought of you.” He offers it to me again, so I take the box and flip the lid, my stomach churning like stormy waves. Inside, on top of more velvet, is a golden apple pin. “Just something fun for the start of the year.”

I smile at him, so grateful it’s not more romantic jewelry. “This is sweet, thank you.”

“Anytime. You don’t even have to wear it, obviously. I just thought it was neat, and I know you’ve had a rough go lately, so I wanted to get you something.”

“A rough go is an understatement,” I reply with a laugh, closing the box.

“I’m sorry for everything you’re dealing with, Reyna. I truly am. You deserve better.”

“I appreciate you saying that.”

“Dinner!” I hear my father call out, so I reach for the door and pull it open.

Michael is standing just on the other side, a furious glare on his face. “Dinner.”

“I heard my dad,” I snap.

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