Page 85 of Lost in You (The Monroes 3)

“Yes.”

The affirmation clenched her heart because they weren’t talking about today. He was actually leaving Haven.

Macy pushed away until she went into the living room. With shaking hands, she picked up the two tiny stuffed animals. Tossing them in the basket by the sofa, she tried to remind herself that crying did absolutely no good. No matter how much she wanted him—and mercy, she did, because she was human, too—she just couldn’t give him that control ever again.

“Macy.”

She took extra time arranging the toys in just the right manner before standing and turning to face him again.

“I can’t stay here.”

For you.

He might as well have tacked that on, but deep down, beneath all the hurt and questions, she knew he was running. He feared relationships, so everything they had only drove him toward this decision.

“So you came to tell me what?” She folded her arms over her chest. “If you’re waiting on me to beg, I won’t do it. If you want one last quickie, I’m not your girl. Thank you for teaching me I deserve better, by the way.”

“Damn it, Macy.” He marched across the room, taking her shoulders and jerking her until she fell into his chest. “I didn’t come here to fight.”

“I know why you came here,” she tossed back.

He let her go and took a step back. “I actually came to ask for your help, but when I saw you, every time I see you, I want you. It’s been that way for so long, but Zach was right. You deserve better.”

Macy threw her arms wide, anger rolling through her. “Oh, now Zach is deciding what’s going on between us?”

When Liam opened his mouth, no doubt with another excuse or defense she wasn’t in the mood to hear, she held up both her hands. “Forget it. What is it you want my help with?”

“I need you to help with the weddings this weekend.” He raked a hand down his face, the stubble on his jawline bristling beneath his palm. “I can’t do the cake by myself with my hand.”

Macy stilled. “Pardon me?”

“You heard me.” Disgust filled his tone. “I hate asking, I hate being incompetent, but there’s no way in hell I can make this cake with one hand.”

“How in the world do you think I can help with my two? Remember who you’re talking to here.”

Liam offered a slight grin. “I know exactly who I’m dealing with and I’m going to be with you for each step and we’re going to do this for my brothers, for Cora and Sophie.”

Macy had no idea what he was thinking asking her, but Sophie and Cora were expecting their wedding to be amazing and Liam clearly couldn’t do this all himself.

“They wouldn’t be upset if you ended up asking one of your chef friends to make it.”

Liam cocked his head, lifting his brows. “Chef friends? I wouldn’t ask anyone else to do this. I’m going to get this cake done with or without your help. It will just be a hell of a lot easier with you.”

“I don’t see how.”

Liam closed the space between them. “Because I have faith in you and I’m your teacher.”

That set jaw, those intense eyes, and that husky tone . . . How did any woman ever say no to this man? How did she say no?

“Fine. But I’m only doing it for them.”

Liam’s lips twitched. “Not me?”

“No.” She stepped back, needing the distance both physically and emotionally. “Because after the wedding you’re gone and I need to get on with my life. You’ve already mentally checked out.”

Liam nodded. “Fair enough. Come up to my apartment after work tomorrow.”

“You can come here,” she retorted. Childish, but she was done bowing to his every whim. “I need to keep Lucy in familiar surroundings and Dad will be here to help watch her while we work.”

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