Page 26 of Lost in You (The Monroes 3)

A humorless laugh escaped her lips as she swiped her damp cheeks. “A one-way friendship? I tell you everything and you keep your secrets locked tight inside? I can admit I have feelings for you and you can ignore yours? No thanks. I have enough friends.”

When she put it in those terms and shoved his words back in his face, he had to admit she was right. He didn’t know much about relationships. He’d barely had any to refer to, but he knew that whatever was happening with Macy wasn’t over.

“You can walk out of here, but we’re going to have to talk sometime.”

Macy stepped back out of his hold. “If you want to talk, then do it. Otherwise we’re done. I’m not playing games with you.”

Raking his hands through his hair, Liam wanted to get back to that punching bag. “I don’t know what to do here. I have no idea and it scares the hell out of me. Is that what you want to hear?”

Macy jumped as his voice echoed in the room. “I just want you to be honest with me, with yourself.”

“You don’t want honesty,” he countered. “Maybe you should go. Because if I open up with all the mess that’s in my head, you’ll wish you’d left when you had the chance.”

A soft smile tipped up the corners of her mouth. “Or maybe you’ll find the freedom you’ve needed by letting someone else in.”

When he said nothing, Macy tucked her stray hair behind her ears and eased past him. Liam shifted aside to let her through and waited until the door leading to the back steps opened and closed.

Shutting his eyes and leaning against the wall, Liam pulled in a deep breath. Macy was going to shatter the little bit of sanity he had left. If he let her in, they’d form a bond he wasn’t ready for. Bonds led to relationships and he sure as hell wasn’t looking for another.

Tomorrow he’d follow up on that call about Magnolias. Liam needed to get out of Haven and forget all about Macy. Though that kiss and the feel of her body beneath his hands might very well be permanently embedded in his mind.

Chapter Six

Cora stepped into the kitchen, led by her seeing-eye dog, Heidi. “Please tell me that glorious smell is something I can sample.”

As if he could make the guests food and not have extras. Liam pulled the quiche from the oven and set it next to the fresh baked bread he’d gotten out only moments ago.

“I’m sure I can scrounge you up a plate,” he told her, removing his pot holders and setting them aside. “Busy day planned?”

Holding on to Heidi with one hand and reaching out with her other, Cora encountered the bar stool and easily slid on. Liam was always amazed at how well she adapted to being blind. She rarely ever asked for help and had gotten the layout of the resort down rather quickly before they ever opened.

Braxton was quite protective of her, but with him back to teaching at the local university, he had to let her have her space. Cora was definitely an independent woman, reminding Liam of another extremely independent woman who’d walked out of his room the other night because he’d all but pushed her away.

“This is the last day for the ladies from the church group in Charleston. I’ve got them all down for a full-body massage before they leave this afternoon.”

Liam went to the sideboard and pulled out a plate with a floral pattern around the scalloped edges, a design Sophie had chosen. Everything about this place screamed feminine . . . which was the entire point, but still. Between the florals, the chatty, giggly ladies, and the overabundance of perfume mixtures filling the place, Liam was getting crankier by the day.

Or maybe he was just cranky because he was so torn from too many different angles. He hadn’t seen or even heard a sound from Macy in four days.

“Then you better eat up,” he told her as he scooped out a healthy portion of bacon and feta quiche. After he slathered herb butter on the whole grain bread, he sat her plate in front of her. “Juice or coffee?”

“Both,” she said, laughing.

Liam gave her all she needed before placing the individual quiches on a platter and taking them into the dining room. He made sure to keep this room just as perfect as his kitchen. Sophie had ordered cloth napkins and found some antique silverware at an estate sale. The room had tall, narrow windows adorned with bright yellow curtains tied back with a matching cloth. The old windows were the originals from the Civil War period. Zach had actually done a stellar job of restoring this home to the true value and charm it once had without sacrificing too much.

He’d managed to salvage the hardwood floors with a sander and stain, and unsalvageable spots were easily covered with decorative rugs. Sophie had worked extra hard to find deals during home sales when people were downsizing. Braxton had even taken a semester off to aid in the renovations. Even Brock had been on board from day one.

A tug of remorse kicked in when Liam thought of how this was a family affair. Chelsea would absolutely love how this had all fallen into place, from the home itself to the guys all working together. Another reason Liam had guilt for wanting to leave. But he couldn’t stay. This wasn’t his home and he didn’t feel like he fit in.

After taking a bowl of fresh berries along with the butters and jams into the dining room, he filled the coffee carafes and made sure everything was in place before eight when breakfast was scheduled.

By the time he went back into the kitchen to start planning the lunch menu, Cora was finishing her last bite of bread.

“You are amazing,” she stated, taking her napkin and wiping her mouth. “I’m pretty sure I can get through my day now.”

When she came to her feet and grabbed her plate, Liam reached across and took it. “I’ve got it.”

“I can clean up after myself, you know.”

---