Page 8 of Trouble

The arrival of our starters saved me from that particular train ofthought.

“So, your nightclub business… did you start it on your own?” I asked, opting to steer the conversation toward topics that hopefully wouldn’t have my mind running wild with inappropriatescenarios.

“No, it’s a family business,” Liam said, shoving a cheese-covered tortilla chip into his mouth. “We run several different places. I mainly work with my brothers, but my father’s the headhoncho.”

“That must be nice, working with family,” I said, nibbling at my own nacho even though I kind of wanted to follow Liam’s example and just shovel them in. I hadn’t eaten since lunch, and my stomach was twisting angrily. Still… even though this wasn’t a date, there was no need to shock the poorguy.

“What made you follow that path? Money,or…?”

“Or a deep interest in watching over drunk people bumping and grinding?” He grinned. “It was never really a choice. All of us just kind of grew up knowing we were going into the family business. It’s all right, though. Dunno what else I’d do—I never had the patience forschool.”

“Oh.” I didn’t quite know what to say to that. Since I went to university, it seemed like I’d only ever met people who strove after grades and promotions as single-mindedly as Idid.

Judging from Liam’s playful smile as he watched me trying to find a response, he knew what I wasthinking.

“I’m more of a spur-of-the moment kind of guy. I don’t do well with suits and reports. The family business allows me a lot of freedom. But what about you,Miss Waits?Your card saidBusiness Consultant. That sounds several shades ofserious.”

“Yes, well… I guess it is.” That warm, teasing tone of his made me feel so completely out of my element. I hid my once-again warm face by taking another sip of my wine. “I’ve always been interested in the business world. I was recruited to Caslik Consulting right after myMasters.”

“Always?” He arched his eyebrows at me. “How about when you were a girl? What did you dream about then? ‘Cause I’m almost certain it wasn’t being a businessconsultant.”

I couldn’t hold back my own wry smile at his teasing. “Well, what do you know? I’m sure there are many little girls out there who dream of business suits andspreadsheets.”

He chuckled, and for some reason my chest heated up. I drank another gulp ofwine.

“No, I wanted to be a famous equestrian. Or a ballerina. Which, perhaps, is a bit on the silly side, since I never took any dancelessons.”

“But you rodehorses?”

I sighed, not realizing how wistful it sounded before I saw it register on Liam’s face. I shrugged, trying to play itoff.

“When I was younger. But I never did find the time to pick it back up after I went off touni.”

“If that’s the case, then you work too much, love,” he said, not taking his gaze off me. “Tell me, what was it about riding that youmiss?”

“I don’t miss it, as such. Sure, it was fun, but—” I tried, but Liam’s snort interruptedme.

“Bullshit. I saw that look on your face just before. That was pure longing. You gave it up to focus on work, sure, I get it, but there’s something you’re missing about it even to thisday.”

I honestly hadn’t thought about it, not until tonight, but as I looked at him and at the earnest glow of purelifein his eyes, I found myselfnodding.

“The freedom,” I admitted. “Being utterly and completelyfree,just me and the horse and the wind in my face.” I laughed, a little embarrassed when I realized how open I’d been. “I know that probably sounds reallysilly—”

“Nah, love. It doesn’t sound silly at all. What itdoessound like is that maybe somewhere along the line, you forgot that there are other things in life thanwork.”

He was right, I realized. Maybe it was the wine, or the way my entire body felt warm and relaxed in Liam’s company, but for the first time since I’d started working toward my career, I let myself think the thought that maybe therewassomething missing in my life. Though what exactly that something was, I wasn’t entirelysure.

* * *

The restof the meal went by in a blur of cozy chatter. Liam steered the conversation toward lighter subjects, and by the end of it, my cheeks and stomach hurt from too muchlaughter.

He was excellent dinner company, apart from nearly making me choke on my chocolate tart with his rendition of the stuffy businessmen he usually saw on his morning jog in the park we’d met in. I hadn’t had this much fun in… well, my head was too foggy from the laughter and wine to remember a time I’d ever enjoyed myself quite thismuch.

Only when Liam asked for the bill did it dawn on me that I still hadn’t fulfilled my end of the bargain for ourdinner.

“Wait! I haven’t bought you that beer yet,” I protested when the waitress walked off, leaving behind a tray with the bill and two complimentarymints.

“I thought maybe we could find a bar for that. If you don’t mind?” Liam fished up his wallet from his back pocket and threw a couple of bills on the tray. It more than covered both our meals, plus a very generoustip.

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