Page 48 of My Favorite Sin

For the first time ever, Daxton beats me at scales.

Everyone in the living room notices.

Of course they do. I’m the annoying family member who, at fifteen, made them all watch me play advanced scales with ease while blindfolded.

“Nerves about tonight.” I try to laugh my failure off, using the date as an excuse.

“Sure, blame the nerves,” Daxton teases.

Everyone returns to their conversations, spread out among the couches. I glance at Dan. He’s sitting by Killian and is already looking at me—at my body, more accurately—while mindlessly shuffling his neon cards. I glare at him, sending a warning not to look at me like that around our family.

“On a serious note, you look beautiful.” Daxton’s words draw me back to the moment. “If Liam does anything to hurt you, I’ve got a shovel.”

“What’s your plan for getting home tonight, honey?” Mom adds, stepping up to the piano. “Have you organized a car service to drive you back here?”

“Yes, all sorted,” I say.

“Don’t leave too late. I don’t like the idea of you being on the road late at night with such a long journey back here. Maybe you can stay at Dan’s place for the night. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind having you. Dan, is that okay?”

“I’d love to have her stay with me,” he answers from across the room in such a casual tone. “We’ll find some way to have fun.”

I bite my cheek, working hard not to blush at the hidden meaning behind his words. I don’t know whether to take Dan up on the offer. I agreed to give him all my firsts. The quicker we have sex, the quicker I’m able to move on from this obsession with him. On the other hand, it feels wrong to be on a date with Liam then immediately get naked for Dan.

“I don’t want to impose on Dan,” I say. “I won’t be late.”

The doorbell rings. I shoot to my feet, panicked that Liam didn’t stay in the car like I asked. “Okay, bye, everyone.”

“Don’t be silly,” Josh says, joining my mother beside the piano. “Bring Liam inside for us to meet.”

“Ah, no. It’s okay.”

“Ally, darling,” Mom adds. “I’d like to know who my daughter is dating.”

Ugh. “Fine. This will only be a quick introduction.”

I leave everyone in the living room and answer the front door, shutting it behind me to block out any curious eyes from the family.

Liam grins at me and weaves our fingers. “Hey, gorgeous.” He’s dressed in jeans, a white tee, and an unbuttoned navy-blue shirt rolled to the elbows. His lips brush against mine in a gentle kiss, which I’m sure would feel nice if I could relax right now. Liam looks me up and down in my baby blue dress and whistles. “Man, am I one lucky guy. Mozart would be jealous.”

“Mozart?” I laugh.

“I’ve been reading up on your kind of music. Turns out, Mozart was quite the ladies’ man. I even listened to apodcast about him. It mentioned some movie about him calledAmadeus, which won eight Oscars. I need to check it out.”

“Ilovethat movie!” My words come out an octave higher as a sudden burst of excitement takes over. “Will you watch it with me? I’ve seen it more times than I can count but that’s beside the point. Mozart is my favorite composer and I need someone in my life who appreciates his genius ways.”

Liam’s grin stretches wider. “We’ll definitely watch it together. You like him that much? MaybeIshould be the jealous one.”

“He holds a special place in my heart. I see aspects of myself in Mozart. The man was said to have social issues and was misunderstood as a person. It’s theorized he had Tourette’s or maybe OCD. Not that I have those disorders but…” I cringe, realizing I’m going into far too much detail and am most definitely freaking Liam out. “Okay, wow, that was a weird thing to say. It’s just that I have anxiety issues—” Jesus Christ, can I shut up already before making this worse.

He doesn’t lose the grin. “Not weird at all. I like learning about you. Though, I’m surprised to hear those things. You always seem pretty relaxed and easy to talk to.”

By some miracle, it seems I’ve made a good impression on Liam. I take a steadying breath, telling myself to calm down. This is nice with Liam, talking to him about my music passion. “You’re actually one of the few people I’m able to talk to with ease. You know, I’ve been listening to your kind of music too. I think I’m becoming a fan of smooth jazz.”

There were a range of jazz styles played at the club Liam took me to last weekend. It was a fun night that I’vebarely had a chance to reflect on, considering how tied up I’ve been with Dan. The jazz club was a free-spirited place, thriving with energy from the musicians and audience and nothing like the meticulous classical performances I’m so used to attending. During my odd moments of spare time throughout the week, I listened to some of the music from that night and have started forming an appreciation for it.

“If you’re getting a taste for smooth jazz, I’ve got a whole list of songs to share with you,” Liam says. “Come on. You ready to hit the road?”

“Uh, my parents want to meet you. Is that okay?”

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