Page 81 of Begin Again, Part 1

Like his cousins, his parents never liked his ex. His mom always said something was off about her. But Liam had brushed off her wisdom, because back when he could still get his dick up, he was pussy-whipped by Laura.

"Good for you, Son! You can do so much better," Clarke said.

Could he, though? What if his 'so much better' was the shrew on the 36th floor? The thought terrified Liam, leaving him reeling with confusion. He had no control over his body where Eden was concerned. But he'd fight his heart to the death if he had to.

Lois waved their waitress over. The news of his breakup called for a round of dessert. "Nothing like a slice of cheesecake to soothe a broken heart," she consoled him as she ordered three slices and a pot of Earl Grey tea.

"I'll have to pass on the cake," Liam said as he pulled out his card to settle the bill.

Clarke asked him to put it away. "It's on us."

Liam thanked his parents, kissed them both on their cheeks, and promised to stop by later in the week for Holly's birthday. It was a promise he wished he didn't have to keep, because he could do without another round of confrontations with his sisters. There'd been so many of those since he cut off their allowances.

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

PLEASE YOU

When Liam returned to the 36th floor after the lunch date with his parents, he was still racking his brain, trying to come up with a plan to break down the walls Eden had built around herself over the past few weeks.

He wasn't a praying man and could count the number of times he'd prayed on both hands. The most recent was two years ago, following his father's cancer diagnosis. But when he stepped out of the elevator and saw Eden struggling with the printer in the printing room, he couldn't help but say a small prayer of thanks. The good Lord above had seen his struggles and, for his suffering over the past month, had decided to reward him with the perfect opportunity.

This was his moment to shine...to show Eden he could be useful to her, and she shouldn't write him off yet.

His heart hammering at neck-breaking speed in his chest, threatening to send him to the emergency room, he approached the printing room. He'd never been nervous around her before. Okay, that was a lie. He was always fucking nervous around her. Today, though, his anxiety mounted to new heights, reaching epic proportions the closer he got to her.

Liam brushed his clammy hands on his pants, praying Eden couldn't hear his rapid pulse. She turned at the sound of his footsteps, a small frown replacing the mystified look on her face when their gazes collided and held.

"Oh, it's you," she said flatly, her disappointment seeping through her words, making it clear she had very little hope in his ability to fix a wayward printer.

Liam wasn't discouraged by her lack of faith in him. In fact, he welcomed the challenge. "Ms McBride, need help with that?"

Eden bit her lower lip and nodded. "Don't know what I'm doing wrong, but the paper keeps getting jammed."

"Let me," he said, aware he was way overconfident for someone who'd only interacted with a printer twice in his life. Even then, it was to collect printouts for a meeting because Gibby was busy with other tasks.

Eden gave him a sceptical look, not at all sold by his overzealousness. Liam rolled up his sleeves to prove he wasn't all talk, he meant business, and she shouldn't doubt his muscles.

"I can fix it," he assured her for no reason other than to convince himself, especially since he'd never fiddled with the inner workings of an office printer before. But he figured it was pretty much like taking apart a car's engine and putting it back together. That, he'd done plenty of times.

"I've fixed plenty of cars," he announced, and immediately wanted to kick himself. It didn't sound as ridiculous in his head as it did when said out loud.

"This is hardly a car. But it's all yours. Show me what you've got." Eden tried to sidestep him and give him room. Liam was quick on his feet, though. He moved behind her, trapping her in place, his arms around her.

Goodness, she smelled heavenly, and he wanted to bury his face in her neck and drown in her light floral scent.

"You smell amazing," he said, unable to help himself.

"Mr Anderson, I don't think—" She faltered, a slight tremor rocking her petite frame when he covered her hands with his on the printer's top cover. Liam smiled while he scanned the maintenance instructions, glad to see he wasn't the only nervous one. The intense pull between them was just as unnerving for her as it was for him.

"What do you use?" he asked, still stuck on her fragrance, thoughts of playing hero pushed aside for the time being.

"Shampoo and convenience store soap," Eden said. "Nothing fancy, like what you're used to, I'm sure."

It was meant to be an insult, but he'd let it slide this once. He was so happy and relieved she was talking to him again, not even her sharp tongue could ruin this moment for him.

"It's pretty," he said. "I like it. Don't change it."

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