Page 28 of All Signs Point to Malibu

“Over-the-top, like you.” Warren turns toward me and for what feels like the millionth time, we square off. I grip the edge of the table so as not to fall out of the booth, refusing to back down.

“Why? Because I have matching dishes and don’t use a Ping-Pong table as a dining room set?”

From the corner of my eye, I notice Sonia sending Liam a worried look.

“I’m sure she’s kidding,” he whispers in reassurance.

“It’s called multipurpose furniture,” Warren says to me.

“Okay, maybe not,” Liam whispers to Sonia.

“It’s called cheap and sophomoric,” I tell Warren.

Another sizzling stare down. I wonder what it would be like to spend five minutes with Warren when we weren’t bickering. Probably not as exciting.

Sonia squeezes Liam’s arm. “We think it’s a good idea,” he says quickly. “It will be a great way for you two to figure out how to get along before the wedding.”

“Fantastic,” Warren mumbles, knowing I’ve won this one.

“Fantastic,” I say with a beaming smile, because well, I won.

Though moments later it’s tough to keep the smile plastered on as Sonia recounts the story of how she and Liam met.

“There I was soaking wet on the side of the street, when this taxi stops and Liam rolls down the window and offers to share his ride,” she says.

I lean my elbows on the table, my thighs completely numb by now, and look completely engrossed in the romantic meet-cute story.

Liam stares lovingly down at Sonia. “What could I do? Couldn’t leave her out in the downpour.”

“Only turns out we were heading in different directions,” Sonia says as though it’s the cleverest twist of fate ever.

“Obviously, I missed my meeting,” Liam says and there’s a hint of regret only someone who knows him well could decipher.

I frown, doing the math in my head to calculate when this union might have occurred. “Is that why you lost the build contract you were working toward before Christmas?” As I said, Mr. Jensen keeps me posted.

Liam looks surprised that I know about the long hours and incredible work he put in to secure a meeting with his dream firm in New York to design a city community space.

Not only do I know about it, I may have asked a former client of mine who’s in business development to put in a good word for Liam to help secure the meeting. It may have been somewhat counterintuitive to the possibility of a second chance, but if my ex wasn’t happy here in California, I still wanted him to be happy and successful following his dream across the country.

Liam’s smile is definitely forced as he says, “I didn’t lose it—I backed out.”

Sonia squeezes his arm and sends him an almost grateful look as he continues, “Once Sonia and I started dating, her father’s company offered me a contract I couldn’t refuse.”

To build resorts. All makes sense now...

“Best decision I ever made,” Liam adds quickly.

I call bullshit.

I go to speak, but Warren interrupts. “Got the girl and the amazing career opportunity. Win-win,” he says in an attempt to wrap this up.

Sonia’s phone chimes and she glances at it then turns toward Liam. “Oh, we have to go. We have an appointment at the jewelers,” she says.

Liam’s expression is slightly tense as he nods. I know he’s still thinking about that contract he gave up.

“Rings. Wow. Really committing.”

Everyone looks at me and I laugh.

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