Page 27 of My Favorite Sin

“I hope you don’t mind,” Liam continues. “I asked Dan for your number but never heard back from him. So, I asked another Blackwood brother.”

“I, um… no, that’s fine. How do you know Felix?”

“My brother is friends with him. My band also plays at The Scarlet Mirage on occasion.”

There’s a moment of silence between us, broken by Liam’s laughter. It’s a friendly laugh, handsome in nature. Not as deep as Dan’s voice but still charming. I think back to the photo I saw of Liam, of him with short, blond hair and dark skin, and imagine what he would look like laughing. In the photo, he was wearing a fedora, along with a white suit and a bow tie. He looked like a jazz musician from the 1920s, which really isn’t my type. But maybe he only dresses like that when performing.

I groan internally, reminding myself Liam isn’t supposed to be my type. Honestly, I’m going to have a hard time finding anyone who is my type unless they’re a replica of Dan. Maybe I’ll form an attraction to Liam if we become friends.

“I’m totally freaking you out right now by calling, aren’t I?” Liam says, the laugh lingering in his voice.

“No. Of course not. I’m still processing the Felix part.”

“I should have waited for Dan to give me your number, but at the risk of coming on too strong, I got impatient and wanted to talk to you now. Felix sent a photo of you, and I have to tell you how beautiful you are. Then he started talking you up. Said you’re a talented classical pianist.”

“Oh, um, thank you.” My pulse is racing. How am I meant to relax and think of Liam as a potential friend when it doesn’t sound like he has friendship in mind at all? “You’re not coming on too strong. I’m probably the one who looks like a creep needing my brothers to introduce me to guys.” I cringe as soon as I speak the words, wondering if it was a weird thing to say.

He laughs. “No complaints here. You sound great and I’m just excited to talk to you because I don’t know many female musicians.”

“That’s so nice. Um…” My brain draws a blank, not knowing how to carry the conversation. I cough to prolong my thinking time, then tell myself to imagine this conversation is taking place with someone I’m comfortable around. Think of him like Dan. “Sorry, I had a tickle in my throat. Dan told me you’re into jazz. What instrument do you play?”

“The double bass. My band is based in the city, but we play all around the place in jazz clubs.”

“Wow, that must be really fun.” The pounding in my chest eases as the Dan pretense continues.I’m talking to my best friend, a little voice plays on repeat in my head. I return to my bed, lie back, and gaze at the ceiling. “I must admit, I don’t know a thing about jazz except that it all sounds like clutter to me.”

“Don’t most people say that about classical music too?” he teases.

“Yeah, people with no taste.”

We both laugh at the joke. And jeez, are we… flirting?

“Seriously, though, I appreciate the skill required to play jazz,” I tell him. “I can’t wrap my head around how it works. I don’t know the first thing about improvisation.”

“Improv is what I do best. But I have mad respect for classical musicians. Do you perform anywhere?”

And that’s how the rest of the night progresses, with back-and-forth questions, discussions about music, our families, jobs, and interests we have. By some miracle, I don’t have any more awkward moments where I blurt out something stupid or can’t think of anything to say. The conversation flows because I imagine I’m… talking to Dan.

That could be a bit of a problem. I try to not let it faze me.

For the first time, I have hope that maybe I can grow a connection with Liam and stop being in love with a guy I can never have.

I cancel my morning jog with Killian due to the late hour I stayed up till last night on the phone with Liam. And now, as I sit at my dressing table, brushing my hair for work, a text message arrives from Liam, making me smile.

Until I read the actual words.

Liam

Good morning. I had fun talking to you last night. Do you want to meet up in person? I’d like to take you on a date Saturday night, if you’re interested.

I chew on my bottom lip, both nervous and excited, beyond pleased that Liam enjoyed our conversation enough to want to date me. A date isn’t part of the plan, though. At least, not yet anyway. And I had in my head that Dan would be with me during my first meeting with Liam as moral support. I didn’t need Dan’s help during the phone call last night, but a phone call is different to a face-to-face meeting.

I call Dan for advice on how to respond to the text, my knees jittering as I wait for him to answer. The line rings out, which doesn’t surprise me at this hour. Dan isn’t a morning person, always staying out late playing poker or drinking with Felix or whatever it is he gets up to when I’m not around. He’s probably fast asleep. I’m on my own with this situation, needing to figure out for myself how to reply to Liam’s message.

I type a draft response to Liam in my notes app, trying to find the right wording to explain that I only want us to meet up as friends and with Dan to join us. Nothing I write sounds flattering. The inclusion of Dan’s name even comes across as weird. Liam will get the impression that I’m trying to let him down easily and don’t want to ever go on a date with him.

After ten minutes of attempting to construct the perfect message, an idea comes to me. It’s the only solution I can think of that will lessen the pressure of a date and make our first meeting feel like more of a social outing.

Ally

---