Page 20 of Liam

"Seems so intrusive."

"If you move forward with him … you're going to need to talk about it."

And maybe that was the reality of it. I wasn't brave enough to move forward with Jamal. Moving forward meant aiming for a long-term relationship and I didn't know if I was capable.

"I have more thinking to do," I said.

"I'm glad you're taking this seriously."

"Jamal deserves every moment of thought I put into it."

Noah put his arm around my shoulders and tugged me to him. "I love you."

"Love you too." I elbowed Noah away and twirled the bar towel. He didn't manage to get away before I whipped his ass with it. "Hope that left a mark for your husband to inspect."

Noah grinned at me. "I'll ask him to be thorough in searching for it."

That right there. I wanted that. I wanted a guy I knew I was going home to at the end of the day. Someone who would welcome me and curl up in bed with me.

"Liam." Owen waved a hand in front of my face. "Where did you go?"

I hadn't even seen him step up to the bar.

I sighed "Just lots to think about. What can I get you?" Owen had gathered with a few of his real estate friends. They were becoming more raucous by the second. They were having fun.

Owen was beaming.

"A Moscow Mule would be perfect."

I set to work on it. "You guys celebrating something?"

"Yeah, we sold three massive properties this week."

"One of them yours?"

"Yup. Fifty-thousand big ones for me."

"Christ, that's almost more than I make in a year."

"It's the fifth sale like that I've made this year."

"No wonder you're rolling in it."

I saw Chad cross the floor toward us. I hadn't seen him with the group. He arrived and slung his arm around Owen's shoulders. Owen cringed and pulled away.

"I thought you were spending the night with your husband," he said to Chad.

"Nah," Chad replied. "Decided it would be more fun to come down here and irritate you."

"Fucking great." Owen looked at me. "Are you finished making my drink?"

I set the copper cup on the bar mat in front of him. He grabbed it and took off back to his friends. Chad lingered, looking up at our assortment of whiskeys.

"Midleton Dair Ghaelach neat, please."

"Nice choice," I commented with words I used for everything a customer ordered. With a smile. The fact Chad annoyed Owen so much made both challenging.

I measured the amber liquid into a glass and plopped it down in front of him.

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