Page 23 of The Wing
“I’m rereading one of my favourites.”
He shuffles closer. “What’s it called?”
I name the title, and Liam draws back. His blue eyes are wide with shock, and his mouth hangs open. My brows come togetheras he opens and closes his mouth a few times, unable to get a word out.
“What? Did you not like the book?”
He shakes his head and swallows, but he can’t hide the shock in his eyes. “No, I do like it, but that’s because I wrote it.”
I pause lifting my drink bottle and stare at him. “You—What?” I splutter. The drink bottle crashes to the grass, and I blink at Liam rapidly. “I—What?” I repeat.
Liam’s cheeks flush, and he runs a hand through his hair. “I wrote that series.”
“No, you didn’t. What?” I shake my head in an attempt to form a coherent thought. “I’m sorry, are you telling me you’re L.S Greene, who wrote my favourite series, and I’m currently staying at your house?” There isn’t a photo at the back of his books, and he never shows his face on his Instagram account.
“Yes.” A small smile plays on his lips. Now that he’s recovered from his shock, he’s enjoying this.
The world sways. “I need to lie down.” I recline against the rough boulder and breathe deeply as my wide eyes stare unseeingly at the glacier. I shoot upright and whirl to him. “Are you telling me that whiteboard was you working on something new?” I ask, heart pounding in my chest. L.S Greene hasn’t released anything in nearly a year besides a novella after he completed his series, which is very unlike him, and I’ve been waiting desperately for an announcement. I have fucking notifications turned on for his Instagram account.
Liam’s smile turns into a grin, and he leans closer. “I sold a new series last week.”
“Holy shit.” I laugh and rub a hand across my mouth. “You’re L.S Greene. I’ve been staying at your house as I reread your series, and you’re writing a new one,” I recap and wait for his nod. “I—I have so many questions.”
“Okay, but you can’t tell anyone about the new series.” Liam glares at me. “Until it’s announced it’s a secret. I shouldn’t have told you.”
I hold my hands up in surrender. “Swear to god I won’t say anything.”
His face clears. “Thanks. I’d be in deep shit if someone announced it before the publisher.”
“I can’t believe I didn’t bring my physical copy with me.” I pout at him and ignore the slight disappointment sinking into my chest. “I would have asked you to sign it.”
Liam waves a hand through the air. “I’ve got copies at home I can give you.”
“Really? You’d do that?”
He shrugs. “Even if you didn’t mean to, you helped me by going on this hike. I’ve figured out a ton of plot things and have pages of new ideas. I’ll sign the whole series for you, Hemi.” His face is earnest and open with a soft expression, and I force myself not to hug him. To clutch him close and feel his heartbeat against my chest.
“You don’t have to do that. You’ve helped me, too.”
“I want to. I think I have a special edition lying around somewhere.” His eyes glaze over as if he’s trying to envision his bookshelves but says, “I don’t remember. I’ll check when we get back.” Liam’s eyes turn bright and teasing. “So, you have a physical copy and e-version of my books?”
My cheeks heat. “Maybe.”
“You totally do.”
“Okay, I do. If I’ve had a bad game, I want my favourites with me.”
Liam smiles at me softly. His eyes crinkle at the corners, and he says, “I’m glad you like the series. Daisy hasn’t read them.”
I barely stop myself from gasping. “How can she not have read them? They’re amazing!” I should feel embarrassedgushing about my favourite book to the author, especially since I’m staying with him, but I don’t. Well, my cheeks feel hot and my hands shake slightly, but mostly I’m excited to talk about the books.
“They aren’t her thing. Don’t worry, I don’t watch the TV shows she loves. We’ve been friends for ten years, but our entertainment tastes don’t have much crossover besides rugby.”
“I’ve probably read them enough for her anyway,” I mumble, but not quiet enough if the pleased look on Liam’s face is anything to go by. “Can I ask how you figured out how the heist would work?” I try not to look too eager but can’t hide the excitement in my voice. I can’t figure out how he did it after numerous read-throughs.
“You can, but we should walk as you ask.” Liam nods to the growing groups of people coming up the track. “I think it’s about to get a lot busier, and I don’t know if you want that,” he states as if he already knows my answer. Which he does, because I don’t want to be surrounded by crowds of people when I should be in South Africa—even if I suddenly find myself grateful for the past few days.
“Let’s pack up and head back while I ask you every question I’ve ever had. It’s a bit cold now anyway.” I stand and reach a hand out for Liam. He slips his hand in mine, warm from the sun despite the wind, and I pull him up.
