Page 25 of Bake You Mine
She wiped her mouth with a napkin. “I’m not sure whether to be insulted or flattered by that statement.”
“I meant it as a compliment, if that helps.” He regarded his smartwatch before turning to her. “Can I ask you something?”
She choked down the remainder of her sandwich. “Sure, as long as it’s not a question about onions.”
He gulped his beer, wiping the foam off his lips before speaking. “I’ve always been curious about what I did to you when we first met.”
Shit, shit, double shit.
“Sorry, I’m not following?”
He rubbed at his chin. “I’m not blind, Aubrey. I see how you are with everyone else. Then there’s me. I always figured I’d done something to offend you. I worried I’d offend you more if I asked you what I’d done.”
Oh, Christ, what was he getting at?
“You didn’t do anything to me. Maybe you perceive a difference because I don’t fall over you like other women.”
He fixed her with a skeptical glance. “You know I’m not actually hot chef, right? Not everyone thinks I’m hot shit, but they don’t treat me the way you do, either.”
She’d always thought she’d skated by without much notice from Liam. She wasn’t the actress she pretended to be. “I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. It was never my intention. I guess sometimes my resting bitch face goes hard.”
“I’m glad I asked.” He inspected his watch again. “It’s about time for me to get back to work. Did you want to do an Irish goodbye?”
“Won’t Gary be miffed?” Aubrey asked.
He pointed to where Gary and the mayor were carrying on a chaotic conversation. They were likely bickering over some decade-old slight.
“Lead the way.”
She followed him out through the back garden. He was a half-step ahead of her, moving through the rows of flowers like he owned the place.
She was overtaken by the aroma of the late-season flowers and the unique smell of the air as autumn approached: dried leaves, smoke, and wet grass.
Liam turned several times to ensure she was still behind him as they made their way through the garden, out through the back gate, and around the front of the house.
He strode over to his bike. “Did you leave your keys with the valet?”
One of the valets ran around to grab her ticket, answering his question.
“Well, you’ll have to take an IOU for that ride.”
Oh my god.“I wasn’t aware you were offering.”
“You’re a girl who wouldn’t mind a spin around the block. We both know it.” He tugged his helmet on and flicked up the visor. “Are you okay driving home?”
The valet rounded the corner with her van. “I’m fine. I only had one drink, and it’s a short drive. I live over on Foxglove Way.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later then, Aubs.” He dropped down the helmet visor and roared away.
She slipped into the driver’s seat after passing a couple of dollars to the valet. She closed her eyes, exhaled, and gripped the steering wheel.
What was Liam up to? She’d think he was flirting with her if she didn’t know better. Her skeptical side wondered if he was trying to keep her distracted so he could win the competition.
She pulled her van to the stop sign at the bottom of the hill. Liam’s bike was idling on the shoulder. He turned back toward her, his face hidden by his helmet. He gave her a thumbs-up before driving off.
Had he waited to see her off?
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