Page 82 of All Signs Point to Malibu

“One drink.”

Moments later, we sit on the balcony, glasses of wine in hand. I stare out at the magnificent view of the ocean and lights of the city that stretch out in front of us. “These resorts are incredible. I can see why you accepted the job.”

He takes a sip of wine before answering. “That was more for Sonia.”

I nod. “I was surprised when you came back. You always talked about designing skyscrapers... Luxury resorts weren’t your thing.”

“I do miss the city,” he says.

“But we do all kinds of things for love, right? Sacrifices. Compromises and all that.” Maybe if he can truly embrace this opportunity with the Bankses, it might relieve some of the strain it’s having on the relationship. Maybe the outcome could be different.

“Exactly. Yeah. Of course. And I mean it’s not forever. The goal is to move back to New York eventually.”

Maybe that was his goal...

“What?” Liam asks.

“What what?”

“That silence meant something.”

“No it didn’t.”

Shit. Too quick.

“It absolutely did.”

Damn it. The problem with a shared past is that he knows my tells.

I hesitate. What can I say? It’s not my place to reveal anything and I realize this “it’s none of my business” stance is coming a bit late, but now I’m not worried anything I say or do will mess things up. Never expected this sudden change of heart, but here we are. “I just know Sonia’s happy here, that’s all.”

Liam nods. “Near her family, the ocean, and in the warm weather, I know.”

Silence lingers in the air around us.

“Hey, why don’t you show me these dance moves of yours?” I say suddenly, surprising him. I need another glimpse. Before I’m completely done meddling, I just want to see if maybe the future has changed. If recent events have made things better or worse. As much as I don’t want to interfere, the idea of both of them hurting a year from now still weighs on me.

“What? Now? No.” Liam shakes his head adamantly, but I’ve already put my wineglass down and reached for his.

“Come on. It’s my duty as maid of honor to make sure the bride isn’t humiliated on her big day,” I say taking his glass and setting it aside.

Liam laughs, shakes his head, but I stand and pull him to his feet. “Fine. But I’m still a little rusty.”

Our hands meet as he wraps an arm around me. Our lifelines connect and...

A violent bright light and loud blast hits me, knocking me off balance—interspersed with flashes of a glimpse into Liam’s future.

Barstool...empty whiskey glasses...

Blinding light piercing through my senses.

Liam, miserable and spiraling, with his cell phone in his hand...staring at an unanswered call.

Loud, ear-shattering screech...

One last blurry image that rocks me to my core.

I pull back quickly, away from him, stumbling off balance as my equilibrium is knocked off course from the effect of the glimpse.

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