Page 16 of Lost in You (The Monroes 3)

“No. I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.” Those dark eyes studied her. “Zach thought you felt bad earlier, too.”

Without bothering to hide her groan, Macy started past him. “Zach might be stirring something up.”

Liam’s hand whipped out and gripped her elbow as she walked by. She turned, her face mere inches from his.

“Is there something to stir?” he asked.

Unable to help herself, Macy grinned, lifted a brow, and leaned into him. “You tell me. You want to stir something up?”

Instantly he dropped his hold, but continued to stare into her eyes. “Don’t do that. I’m not one of the guys you date.”

“You could be.”

Had she just said that? She seriously needed to stop and think before opening her mouth sometimes. But the man got under her skin and she didn’t like it. She needed control, and she couldn’t let him have the upper hand. Even though Liam was nothing like the guys who’d hurt her, Macy couldn’t relinquish power over her emotions.

“Apparently you’re feeling better.”

Liam turned and started walking away. The empty, sickening feeling settled deep in the pit of her stomach. Why did she do that? Why did she treat him like any other guy she’d flirt with—get all sassy and then never talk to him again? Liam wasn’t like those guys; he was absolutely right. And she was a jerk for even thinking for a split second that she could pull this with him.

But, damn it, he threw her off and she didn’t know how to act. This was completely new territory for her. When had a guy captured her interest in such a way? Even before her attack, there had been no one who stirred up so much in her.

“I’m sorry,” she called across the store.

He stopped in the middle of an aisle. The evening sun beamed through a nearby window and Macy concentrated on the flecks of dust floating through the air and not the way Liam seemed to take up so much space in her life now.

Slowly, she was losing her tight grip where he was concerned and she knew there was no way to stop. All she could do was attempt to hang on.

“I don’t know what to say to you,” she said to his back. At least he’d stopped walking away, so he was listening. “You act like you don’t want to talk to me one second, and the next you’re caring for me.”

Still, silence. Her heart beat so hard inside her chest. Macy sighed, tugging on the tied flannel around her waist.

“Thank you, by the way.”

Slowly, Liam turned. Macy remained silent, waiting for him to say something, leaving the ball in his court. She didn’t like feeling inferior or awkward, but with Liam things were much more complex—one label couldn’t cover it all. She’d been interested in him for so long, but he’d n

ever shown any interest whatsoever. Not even a little. Then they went their separate ways. Soon after, life intervened, changing them both. But now that they were living in the same town again, could she ignore her old feelings? Possibly, but why would she want to battle herself? Her feelings were stronger, deeper, and heart-pounding.

Were they dancing around something more? Should she just say exactly what she was thinking so they’d get everything out in the open? They’d had a moment last night, and she’d seen a side of Liam she hadn’t expected.

Carrying her up the staircase—à la Rhett Butler—was sexy as hell, but she hadn’t been able to fully enjoy the moment considering they’d been in a hardware store and she’d been praying she didn’t throw up.

“If you don’t pretend, then you don’t have to apologize.” He remained a good distance away, but he still tipped his head slightly to keep his scar concealed from her. “I’m not asking for anything from you, Macy. I’m only in Haven for a job and my family, that’s all.”

The veiled statement came through loud and clear. She wouldn’t be making a fool of herself ever again where he was concerned.

“Duly noted,” she replied with a nod. “I need to finish up closing and get out of here. Thanks again for last night.”

She rounded the counter and started pulling out the credit card receipts from the small binder she kept them in below the register. Liam stood behind her; she hadn’t heard him move away, but she refused to turn and see what he was doing. He didn’t want anything to do with her other than a place to live. Fine. She was a big girl, she could handle this. He didn’t need to come right out and tell her he wasn’t interested. She was smart enough to read between the lines.

She just wished he didn’t make her feel. What was it that made Liam get beneath her skin? Was it the fact she’d always wondered what, if anything, could’ve happened between them had she not gone away to school and had he not been in an accident? Was it the fact he was broken in ways she could only guess and she recognized another vulnerable soul?

“It’s not you,” he murmured.

Macy’s fingers stilled in the midst of sorting the tiny strips of paper. His words hit her hard and she closed her eyes, refusing to show any emotion. But she also wasn’t going to tell him everything was okay when it wasn’t.

“No, it’s not me,” she agreed.

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