Page 102 of The Reno
“Traitor. She knows I hate birthdays.”
Liam pulled me towards him hard. My hands landed on his chest.
He smirked down at me. “Oh, come on. I can think of very creative ways we can celebrate your birthday.”
My eyes widened, dirty thoughts flickering through my head like a horny flipbook.
“Well, this is cosy.” A familiar, sarcastic, feminine voice pierced through the room.
I turned. Willa was standing at the door with her designer duffel bag and her sunglasses pushed through her blonde hair.
My mouth fell open.
“What—” My gaze moved between Liam and Willa at speed.
Liam squeezed my hand. “Happy Birthday, Red.”
TWENTY-NINE
“What the fuck!” I squealed as I ran over to Willa, pulling her into a hug.
Willa smelt like her rose perfume. Rich and heady.
“Hey,” Willa said. “Surprise.”
I pulled back to survey my best friend. Her platinum-blonde hair was straightened to perfection. Light touches of make-up framed her pale skin and bright blue eyes. She had her usual expression on her face—schooled and a little cold.
A bad bitch.
My heart burst—a piece of home, just for me.
“How did you get here? Why are you here? How did you know where I’d be?”
“I came up on the train.” She angled her head to Liam. “He suggested it would be best to take public transport, despite my aversion.”
I angled my eyebrow. “Did you book First Class?”
Willa’s eyes shifted away. “Maybe.”
I shook my head. “Posh bitch.”
“I’ve got a brand to maintain.”
I shifted back towards Liam. “Willa, this is Liam. Liam, Willa.”
Willa scanned Liam, assessing. “We’ve spoken.”
“I emailed Willa. Asked her to come up for your .”
“Yes,” Willa said, her lips rising at the corners. “He emailed work, and he was very… insistent. Obviously, I was going to say yes. I was going to point out that I’d invited myself several times. But I didn’t get a chance because he had a very compelling speech prepared.”
I turned to Liam. “A speech?”
Liam shifted on his feet. “Well, I know how hard it is to get Londoners past the Watford Gap.”
My heart squeezed.
I beamed. “Thank you, Liam.”
