Page 35 of Liam
“No. I’m callingKayden. He’ll yell some sense into you.”
Yeah, he would. As the oldest brother, he was good at pulling rank and bossing people around. “Paisley. You’re not calling anyone. I’m fine.”
“You arenotfine. You are either in danger or putting yourself in danger by staying with this guy.”
God, everyone in her life was trying to make decisions for her. She just needed space to breathe. “Paisley, I know you mean well, and I know you love me, but I need you to let me handle this.”
“But if something happens to you—”
“Nothing’s going to happen. I told you, I’m living with Liam for a week, where I’m incredibly safe. And if nothing happens, I move back into the condo.”
Paisley’s silence stretched for long, heavy seconds, before her voice softened. “Are you sure? Idolove you, and I need you to be safe.”
“Yes, I’m sure. And I love you back.”
“Promise you’llcall,not text, if anything else happens?”
“I promise.” If she was brave enough, that was.
The guy working on the door stepped toward her. “We’re done, ma’am.”
The men who’d been working inside began filtering out of the apartment, while the one who was in charge waited for her by the front door.
“I’ve got to go, Pais. Talk soon.” She made her way back to her door and took the new keys from the man’s outstretched hand. “Thank you.”
“Would you like me to show you how they work?”
She shook her head. “I think I can figure it out. But thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Will you send me the bill?”
He shook his head. “Already taken care of. Have a good night, ma’am.”
She frowned, wanting to ask the guy what he meant, but he was walking away. Plus, she already knew. If someone had taken care of the bill, it was Liam. He’d organized these guys to come change the locks, after all.
A text suddenly came through on her phone.
Liam: Hey. Are you okay? You’re not home.
She sucked in a breath. Most women would love the checking in. And yes, it was sweet. But it also reminded her of the texts she used to get from her dad when she was five minutes late to the bar. The messages she’d get from Cody when she went out and he didn’t know where she was. Or Kayden when she missed two calls in a row.
Nylah: I’m just heading to yours now.
CHAPTER10
“Man, you look like you’ve been working in this café your whole life.”
Nylah glanced up from where she was lifting chairs on top of tables to smile at Eleanor. It was closing time, and she was on with both El and Vi. Courtney had worked the early shift and left a while ago.
The last week of living with Liam had gone by quickly. It felt like she’d blinked, and the days had just run into one another and disappeared.
She’d only been working at the café since Saturday, but so far it was easy. It was the other stuff that was hard. Living with Liam while resisting his charm. Waking up to him making her coffee. Him looking at her like she was the only woman in the world.
They’d watched a movie on the couch last night, and not only had she fallen asleep on his shoulder but she’d woken this morning in her bed—meaning, the man had carried her there.
She forced herself to push those thoughts down. “Thank you. All that bar experience is transferring to this coffee shop.”
