Page 46 of The Grumpy Actor

Mom giggles as she accepts the flowers. “What a charmer. Come in. The party is just getting started.”

It’s almost like I don’t exist to these two. They walk right into the house, and I hurry after them.

My fear that my family will go crazy over Liam is immediately justified. Aunt Kate stands completely still for several seconds, just staring at Liam.

“Am I hallucinating, or istheLiam Ryder in your sitting room, Helen?” Aunt Kate squeals.

Aunt Linda chuckles. “Get over it quickly before you weird him out.”

“How are you guys not surprised?” Uncle George asks.

“Well, he’s been in Surfside Haven for almost three months now,” Lily says, unable to hide her laughter as she watches the two stunned people try to process what’s happening.

“Still, what’s he doinghere?” Uncle Derek asks, staring right at Liam.

“Oh, is this a part of the surprise for you, Helen?” Aunt Kate yelps. “I know you’re a fan.”

“No, it’s not that,” Liam says, smiling. “I’m Sophie’s bo—”

“Friend,” I interject. “He’s a friend. He came over to see Mom because he’s a friend.”

A pin-drop silence falls over the room, and I feel Liam tense beside me.

My outburst must have made it seem suspicious, because no one seems to buy the lie I just told, especially Mom.

“Welcome, Liam,” Aunt Kate says, thawing the ice-cold silence. “We were just about to start dinner.”

She motions for Liam to join the family at the table. Everyone resumes chatting happily as they sit around the dining table.

Lily throws me a questioning glare that I just ignore.

Right now, I need to focus on dinner and making sure there are no more slip-ups about Liam.

However, my heart is heavy with the lie I just told.

Liam looks genuinely troubled about it, and I think I might have hurt him.

My worry slowly dies down as Liam gradually blends in with my family. Everyone seems to accept him as one of their own, and Liam is practically glowing in their midst.

Watching him this way and remembering the conditions he grew up in makes my heart grow even fonder of him.

He really does deserve all the good things in the world.

When we finish eating, the men take the party to the patio while the ladies stay in the house catching up.

I seclude myself in the kitchen, trying to re-energize from the evening’s events.

“You’re dating him again, aren’t you?”

I jolt out of my thoughts and turn sharply toward the kitchen door.

Mom! When did she get here?

My mouth dries as I try to make up excuses for Mom. But it’s clear she already knows the truth, and I can’t lie to her anymore.

I nod.

Mom sighs. “I could tell. You’ve seemed so much happier lately, and the moment he walked in today, I knew he had to be the reason.”

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