Page 102 of My Favorite Sin

There’s one bartender on duty. A couple of customers are sitting in front of the stage, watching the band perform slow jazz. I gulp, seeing Liam on stage. Surely enough time has passed that this interaction will be civil. Pushing my nerves aside, I step up to the stage, right in his line of sight.

Liam sees me, his body stiffening as he plays his instrument. He looks away, avoiding my gaze for the rest of the song. Not a great start. Perhaps civil is still asking too much of him.

When the song comes to an end, he groans and rubs the back of his neck. “Ally, what are you doing here?”

“Hoping we can talk.”

“I’m working.”

“I know.” I smile softly, hoping he sees the gesture as a peace offering. Even an apology. “I didn’t know how else to contact you. I won’t be long. I just want a minute of your time.”

He thinks about my request for a moment. I can see it in his eyes that he wants to turn me away. If he does, so be it. At least I’ve tried.

“Fine,” he finally says. “Let’s head out the back.”

I follow him through the venue to a quiet room where the band’s equipment is stored.

Liam leans against a desk, crossing his arms, his tone blunt. “I asked you if there was someone else.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you the truth. I didn’t want to risk anyone finding out about Dan. You and I weren’t ever in a committed relationship, but I know you were ready tocommit and I’m sorry for hurting you. I wasn’t trying to waste your time.”

Liam remains quiet with his arms folded. I get it. He probably feels used and thrown to the wayside.

“I know my words might not mean much to you, and I don’t expect forgiveness,” I continue, getting to the whole point of my visit. “But I want to give you something that will show the depth of my apology.”

I retrieve the George Gershwin coin from my purse and hold it out for Liam to take. He stares at it, his mouth opening and shutting, no words coming out.

“Here. This is for you.”

“Ally, what? No, I can’t take the coin from you.”

“I want you to have it.”

“This was a birthday present to you from your mom. Not to mention how rare this coin is.”

I shrug, smiling. “I know. Which I hope symbolizes how sorry I am.”

Finally, he drops the harsh stance and smiles in return, atruesmile, and shakes his head. “Okay, Ally, I accept your apology. But I can’t take this from you.”

I grab his hand and place the coin in his palm. “I insist. And now, I’m leaving so you can’t give it back to me. Goodbye.”

I walk out the door, through the club, and out to the car park. When I’m halfway back to Dan’s car, Liam calls my name. I turn back to the club, finding him jogging toward me.

“Liam, I’m not taking the coin back.”

“I know.” He catches his breath, joining my side. “Look, I have these opera tickets I bought a while back and was going to surprise you with them. Mozart’sThe Magic Flute. Why don’t you take the tickets. Otherwise, they’ll go towaste. It’s the least I can do after you’ve given me George Gershwin. They’re for this weekend.”

“Thank you, but I’ll be out of town at my uncle’s wedding.” I take a few steps back. “I should go now. My ride is waiting.”

Liam’s focus switches to Dan’s Aston Martin. To my surprise, he waves at Dan, then says one last thing to me. “I’ll see you around, okay, Ally.”

“I’d like that.”

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

ALLY

“You and I have never had a common interest. No father-son hobby to bond over. Let’s say we find something.” Josh raises his voice for Dan to hear over the wedding reception music.

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