Page 71 of Stuck with my Guarded MVP
I looked up from my plate, feigning innocence. “No idea what you’re talking about.”
One brow arched. “Right. How’d that go over with your brother when you two were kids?”
A laugh escaped before I could stop it. “Let’s just say, even though I’m younger, I always acted like the older sibling.”
He leaned back a little, like he was settling in for a story. “I find that hard to believe.”
“Oh, be quiet,” I said, flicking him a look that only made his grin deepen.
“Fine,” I said, setting down my fork. “There was this kid in Nolan’s grade, this was before his growth spurt, who thought it was hilarious to give Nolan a hard time. I couldn’t exactly confront the kid in the hallway without getting caught, so…” I leaned in a little, lowering my voice as if the walls might still remember. “I may have slipped a certain… ‘special’ answer sheet into his locker before a big math test.”
Liam’s eyes lit, and he set his fork down entirely. “Special how?”
“Every answer was wrong,” I said, savoring the memory. “But theylookedright. Enough to make him confident.”
He laughed, that low, rough sound that made my chest feel warmer than the wine. “You’re ruthless.”
“Protective,” I corrected, smiling into my glass.
Our eyes met over the table, and for a second neither of us moved.
I tilted my head, still smiling. “So what about you? Were you the overprotective big brother?”
Liam laughed, shaking his head. “Not even close. Maeve never needed protecting, she was tougher than half the guys on my hockey team.”
“Oh, come on.”
“I’m serious. Once, when we were kids, she was at the rink for figure skating practice, and this guy kept chirping at her from the boards. Next thing I know, she’s coming out of a double axel, ‘accidentally’ veers off, and—” he paused, grinning—“slams him right into the glass. Perfect form.”
I tried to picture it, tiny Maeve, sparkly costume, blades flashing, and burst out laughing. “She checked him? In figure skates?”
“Full body. Dropped him on his butt. And then, this was the best part, she skated off like nothing happened. Hair still perfect. No one even called a penalty.”
Our knees brushed again under the table, and neither of us moved them away.
I shook my head, still laughing. “Sounds like she got the last word.”
“That she did.” His smile deepened just enough to reach his eyes. “I seem to be surrounded by women who like to get the last word.”
I looked away first.
The Logical Next Step
Claire
The last of the dishes clinked into the rack, the kitchen smelling faintly of braised veal and fresh rosemary.
Liam stepped out of the kitchen, sleeves pushed up, moving with that purposeful ease that meant he was already shifting into whatever came next. Down the hall, a zipper hummed and sneakers scuffed, a quiet gear change for his team event.
My phone buzzed. Brooke
You alone? I need to get away from the girls for a bit. Nolan’s here. I just need some adult time.
I leaned against the counter, thumbs tapping.
Sure. There might be some osso buco left.
The dots appeared, then
