Page 100 of The Reno
Liam just made a “go on” gesture with his hand.
“Well, some fitted booth seating would work along this wall. Making best use of the space.” I glanced at Liam; he was nodding. “And also increase covers. I would add some light wood tables and chairs, nothing too heavy because it’s on the darker side in here.” I walked towards the beautiful bay windows. “And definitely get some of those cute half curtains.” I smiled, excited about the prospect of a new project, even if it wasn’t mine. “And I bet you could get some eclectic art prints on the walls, something from a local artist. Maybe someone here at the market, actually. I think I remember walking past an artist with some interesting pieces. We should go—”
Liam was quiet. I’d been planning out a dream that he had forfeited.
I slapped my forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m getting carried away.”
I walked up to Liam, giving in to the urge to touch him. I touched his hand, and his eyes glanced down at our hands clasped together. But when I glanced up, I didn’t see Liam’s face full of regret.
He was smiling—a small smile.
“I signed the contract today. It’s mine.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I squealed, jumping up and down, trying to make Liam join me, but he just laughed and pulled me close. His chest rumbled with laughter, contained, muffled by his T-shirt.
“When? How? Your dad—”
“I finally grew some balls and told him. I didn’t ask. I told him. I suggested Jack should take over.”
I pulled back, my eyes wide. “Jack? But you’re so hard on Jack.”
Liam frowned. “I’m not hard on him.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “You are.”
Liam exhaled. “Maybe I have been in the last couple of weeks. But that’s because I’ve only started thinking of him as my successor.”
I whistled. “This ain’t succession, babe.”
Liam looked at me sardonically. “Don’t ‘babe’ me. And you know what I mean. Once I started thinking of him taking over, I needed to push him more. I didn’t mean it to come off harsh.”
I just hummed, unsure.
“I’ll apologise to him.”
“You should.”
“I’ve been in a bad mood the last few weeks.”
I huffed. “Understatement.”
“It might have something to do with a certain redhead creating chaos in my life.”
I gasped. “I didn’t create any chaos, thank you.”
“Chaos. Good chaos.” He pulled me closer. “I don’t think I would have done this had you not turned up, full of all of yourideas. You inspired me. If you could come here and—”
“Move up to a random northern town, leaving my job and friends, digging up all of my daddy issues, all to renovate some house?”
Liam made a strangled noise like he wasn’t sure what to say. “Yeah, all of that. If you could do all of that, I could do this. I could open Lily’s.”
“Lily’s,” I mused. “I like it. Short, snappy.”
“It’s my mum’s name,” Liam explained, his voice growing hoarse.
“That is lovely, Liam,” I said. “Really lovely.”
“Ren and I said it would be named after her—the menu is going to be inspired by some of her favourite dishes, after all.”
