Page 55 of Falling For Liam
“Your song choice and his response.”
“You think?” I ask sceptically.
“Yeah.” He looks at me like I’m crazy. “We were just listening to the same thing, right? You basically heard my best friend declare is love for you live on radio?”
“Did he, though?” I hate sounding vulnerable and needy, but I can’t help it. I’m already driving myself nuts with this; I need someone else’s opinion.
“You really needed a song to tell you that? He’s had it bad for you since the moment he saw you.” My mouth drops open but no sound comes out. “Liv, seriously. He’s been waiting years for ‘the one’, then you turn up and it’s like his world’s been tilted. He’s totally in love with you.”
I stare at BJ with wide eyes and a gawping mouth as his words race around my head.
“You really didn’t know?” he asks with a laugh.
“I just…I don’t know.” Sagging back against the sofa, suddenly feeling exhausted, I let out a long breath. But it seems BJ hasn’t finished.
“You love him too, by the way. And when he’s ready and comes back, you’re going to tell him and then run off into the sunset together. I can see little Liams running around very soon.”
“Whoa,” I say holding my hands up. “He’s not even talking to me at this point. Don’t you think you’re running away with yourself?”
“Nah. When you know, you know.”
“And you know that how?” I ask, hoping to get a little insight into the mystery that is BJ, but he just shrugs before telling me that he knows what he’s talking about.
“Just promise me something?” he asks, turning back as he heads towards the door.
“Sure.”
“Don’t fuck it up. Life’s a long time to live with regrets.” Then, he’s gone.
* * *
I eventually manage to drag my confused arse up to my room to get showered and dressed for the day. Feeling restless and not wanting to sit around the house waiting for Liam to possibly return, I slip on my flip-flops, grab my bag and start walking. I’ve no idea if she’s working, but when I get down to the beach, I poke my head inside the shack. The place is packed and it’s only a couple of seconds before I spot a harassed looking Nicole taking some customers’ food orders over.
Taking the one empty stool at the bar, I sit and wait for her to come over while eavesdropping on the two women next to me discussing a guy one of them has been seeing. It’s nice not to have to think about my own life for a few minutes as the woman gives her friend a play-by-play of the previous night.
“Oh my god, it’s crazy in here today. Freya rang in sick and she was meant to be working a long shift.” After redoing her ponytail, Nicole sets about making a round of drinks.
“I can help,” I offer.
“You serious?”
“Of course. I’ve never waited tables before, mind you.”
“You’ll be fine. It’s easy. Go put your bag in the office and I’ll find you an apron.”
Jumping off the bar stool, I do as she said, feeling good about having something to do today. When I return, Nic wastes no time tying the fabric around my waist and shoving a notepad at me.
I’m totally out of my depth. I’ve no idea what’s on the menu other than the brie and bacon panini I always order, but it’s not long before I find myself in the swing of things. Glancing over at Nic, she smiles, looking much more relaxed than when I first arrived.
“I’m guessing Dec’s with BJ?” I ask when there’s a bit of a lull.
“Yeah. He monopolises their time for the entire day every year.”
“What are they doing?”
“No idea, but every year they apparently end up in a strip club in the city. BJ keeps the plans secret.”
* * *
