Page 26 of My Favorite Sin

Theo: Liam is interested in chatting with Ally. What’s her number? I’ll send it to him.

A sour taste rises in my mouth. I send Theo a quick response, clarifying the friendship part and omitting Ally’s number.

“You know you’re an attractive girl,” I say, answering Ally’s question. “You have an amazing personality too. But only your most trusted people get to see that side of you. You need to learn how to relax and feel comfortable around a guy without the pressure of trying to impress him. We need a guy for you to become friends with before any romantic relationship is considered. If you end up being attracted to him, we’ll discuss what the next step is. If there’s no chemistry, at least you’ve made a friend. I know a guy I think you’d get along with.”

“Okay, I like your thinking. Who is he?”

“His name is Liam. He’s my age and is a jazz musician.”

She pretends to blanch at the jazz part and laughs,being classically trained. My dick twitches from that laugh. Jesus fucking Christ. Can she do anything that won’t turn me on?

“I suppose beggars can’t be choosers. Do you have a photo of him?” she asks.

I pull up my web browser and search for an image of Liam’s band, joining Ally at the ledge of the pool.

She studies the image on my phone, her expression indiscernible. “Not really my type but maybe that will help with my nerves.”

I resist groaning. “He’s not a date, remember.”

“True. How should I approach this guy?”

“We could organize something for next weekend.”

“We? As in you’d be there too, right?”

“No. I’m abandoning you and setting you up for failure.” I flick her with water.

“Dan,” Ally laughs, the sound making me desperate to kiss her. She flicks water back.

“Of course I’ll be there with you.” Queen.

I don’t speak the name out loud. After I gave Ally the Queen of Hearts, I started calling her my queen. She used to love it. One day, I’ll speak the name out loud to her again.

“Good. Maybe I’ll be able to relax with you by my side and Liam will see this amazing personality you keep insisting I have.”

I return to the sun lounger, muttering under my breath, “He’ll see it, but he’s not having you.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

ALLY

Sunday night dinner, I eat all my food plus dessert because Dan thinks I’m too thin. There was no judgment in his voice when commenting on my weight. Instead, concern and protectiveness. Even something possessive. I shouldn’t have liked it so much. Nor should I have felt so sad when he left late afternoon and returned to the city.

After dinner, I’m lying in bed, sorting through my work emails and preparing for the upcoming teaching week, when a No Caller ID rings me.

“Hello, Ally speaking.”

“Hey, Ally,” a guy says. “This is Liam Wilson. Your brother gave me your phone number. I hope it’s okay that I’m calling you.”

I sit up in an instant. Dan gave Liam my number? When was that ever part of the plan? Panic rushes through me. I’m not ready for this conversation. What do I say to him?

A moment later, I manage to talk myself down from the ledge, telling myself I can handle a phone conversation with this guy. After my Friday night date forgot I exist, being pushed out of my comfort zone is exactly what Idecided I need. Just act cool. Dan said I’m supposed to think of Liam as a friend, not a date.

“Hey, Liam. Thanks for calling.” Ugh,thanks for calling? Way too formal. Before I realize it, I’m pacing in circles on my bedroom floor. What happened to my little pep talk from a moment ago? I force my pacing to stop and take a deep breath, trying to calm myself and focus on the friend analogy. “Yeah, Dan mentioned you. I didn’t realize he’d already given you my number.”

“It was actually Felix who gave me your number.”

Felix? I thought he wasn’t supposed to get involved in any of this.

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