Page 39 of Lost in You (The Monroes 3)

“He’s trying to ignore us,” Braxton whispered.

Sophie laughed. “Come on, guys. Let’s leave him alone and let him work. I don’t want him taking out his revenge on our wedding cake.”

“And he promised smoked meat,” Zach chimed in.

Braxton scooted the stool back and came to his feet. “Say no more. Smoked meat and cake for my wedding? I’ll do whatever he wants.”

As much as he hated to, Liam laughed and shook his head as he took the seasoning and sprinkled it on the chicken. “Get out,” he chuckled. “Let me work so our guests are kept happy.”

Braxton turned and headed out, back down the hallway where he’d entered. Zach slid his arm around Sophie’s waist and she leaned a little into his side. Liam refused to be jealous of his brothers’ relationships with such amazing women. They deserved happiness. Not that Liam didn’t, but it would take a special woman to be able to put up with the ugliness of his past and the baggage of his present.

“Oh, I need to let you know about the new guests we have coming next week.” Sophie straightened, smoothing her hair behind her ears. “You know Livie Daniels?”

The name was familiar, but Liam was drawing a blank. “Not really.”

“Didn’t she graduate with Braxton?” Zach asked, glancing to Sophie.

“She did. Her dad ran the small airport in Haven and he recently passed away.”

“I remember her now,” Liam stated. “She was quiet in school, ran around with that one girl who was annoying. Forget her name, too, but she was obnoxious.”

“Jade McKenzie. She wasn’t obnoxious,” Sophie corrected with that soft tone of hers. “She just didn’t take crap from people. I actually really liked her. But we’re getting off track. Livie, Jade, and another of their friends are staying with us for three days next week.”

Liam nodded. “Fine.”

“They didn’t request anything in particular,” Sophie went on. She stepped forward and touched Liam’s arm to get his attention. “But with Livie’s father just passing a few weeks ago, I figure this is a getaway for the girls to just relax and be there for each other. I know Livie and Jade are living in Atlanta, but the other girl isn’t from this area. At least, I didn’t recognize the name on the registration.”

“Why are you telling me all of this?” Liam asked.

“I think maybe we should go all out for them,” Sophie suggested with a little shrug. “You know, chocolate everything, wine always at the ready, even in their rooms.”

Liam nodded. “I’ll make sure to cater to emotional women. Now, can I get back to work?”

“You’re all heart,” Zach growled.

Sophie and Zach finally left him to his preparations, and as Liam was stuffing the seasoned chicken, he realized how quiet things had gotten in his large kitchen. The kitchen at Magnolias had always been bustling, people coming at him from all directions. He’d been in his element there. Comfortable, happy.

Now, though, he felt like he was only here out of obligation and duty. He loved Chelsea, missed her every single day. He would’ve done anything for her, but he also knew she wouldn’t want him here if this wasn’t where his heart was.

Damn it. His loyalty wasn’t just to his brothers, but to his late sister. There was no clear answer as to what he should do. The list of pros and cons was too lengthy. All he could do was wait and see how his meeting went with Mark and go from there.

Until then, though, he had dinner to make, and after he got off work he had some damage control to take care of. Chelsea was somewhere laughing at him over the fact he was going to go grovel to Macy and extend his services for the party. His sister would be proud of him stepping outside his comfort zone and taking an interest in something.

Unfortunately, Liam was far more interested than he should be. And he knew the moment he offered his help, he’d be starting something he might never be able to finish . . . which would only leave one or both of them hurt.

Chapter Nine

Dinner with her dad had been great. He’d picked up a pizza and their favorite beer and had everything ready when Macy got home from the store. The paper plates were full and at the island bar just waiting for her.

Though they lived separately now, they still looked out for each other. Macy’s dad knew how tired she’d been lately, but he had no clue the whole softball coach thing was keeping her up at night—mostly because she was going to have to tell one of the most influential people in her life no.

Well, that wasn’t all that was keeping her awake. A certain chef who’d had her in knots for the past few months plagued her thoughts and starred in every fantasy.

She’d just pulled on her favorite pair of shorts and an oversized, off-the-shoulder T-shirt when her doorbell rang. She wasn’t expecting company, but in a small town like Haven, random visitors weren’t unheard of.

As she bound down the steps, she pulled her hair up and knotted it with the band from her wrist.

The sun was starting to set, but the warm glow coming in her front windows and door highlighted her visitor in all his beautiful, grouchy glory. Despite how they’d left things last night, her body still reacted to seeing him on her doorstep.

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