Page 33 of The Reno
“You come in every month and prepare tiny sandwiches for elderly people. By hand. In this tiny kitchen.”
“They are just sandwiches.”
“Why?”
Liam’s dark eyes lifted from the sandwiches, and he gave me a look. I wasn’t sure what the look was trying to convey, but it sent a weird feeling up my spine.
“I have a heart, Red.” Liam sighed. “They might not remember today, but they’ll have had a good time. We play some music, and they sing along. They never forget the words, even now. And the care home appreciates it. There isn’t loads for people with dementia to do, to get out and about. Funding cuts.”
I opened my mouth and closed it again. Liam looked up again at the expression I couldn’t keep off my face.
“If you’re going to stand there, gawping, you can help. Chop this.” Liam held out a cucumber, and I could feel a blush creep up my skin. There was something about the way his hand was gripped—nope. Not going there. Abort, abort.
I cleared my throat. “Sandra said something about napkins.”
“She can wait.”
“Oh,” I said. “Okay.”
I washed my hands and stood beside him. Our hips accidentally brushed, and I pulled back like lightning struck me.
“No, not lengthways.”
Liam’s body came around me. I felt the heat of it first, then the warmth of his hand coming over mine.
“Thin, round slices like this.” He guided my hand, his hand dwarfing mine. Liam was gentle, and I stared as the knife cut through in smooth, measured slices. Liam’s breath was at my neck, and I suppressed a shiver.
“There you go,” Liam murmured, his voice low. He stoodback, going back to his station, and we stood side by side again. I was annoyed with myself that I had liked his body near mine—stupid, stupid body.
“Thanks,” I said hoarsely.
Then, I realised what just happened. I let a man show me how to cut a fucking cucumber like I wasn’t capable of doing it myself. I’d been hypnotised by his body, the warmth rolling off it and the smell of his cologne.
“About the house—” I blurted out.
Liam cocked an eyebrow, waiting for me to finish my sentence.
“Are you still going to help? I didn’t hear from you.”
“Have you been waiting by the phone, Red?”
I could feel my face burn. “No.”
Liam’s lips twitched. “I was just sorting some stuff out with the schedule. Give me some time.”
“It’s time-sensitive—”
“I’ll get it sorted on your schedule, Red. Don’t worry about it.”
“I—” I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “How can you be so casual? We need to set a timeline. Some parameters—”
“I do this every day, remember. It’s no stress.”
We chopped in silence as my mind whirled. I’d been taught that everything needed a plan, even if I screwed it up. Liam seemed way too cavalier about this.
“Where do you live in London?” Liam’s voice made me jump out of my busy thoughts.
“Oh. I share a flat with some people near Camden. But I gave my notice when I moved up here. I miss the location,but living with six people was getting old.”
