Page 36 of Liam
“I can see that,” Violet said as she cleaned the coffee machine. “You have a natural ease with customers. Did you always want to work in customer service?”
“No. I actually love history and wanted to study that. And I did start college, but then my dad got sick and, well, family’s priority. I don’t regret it. We grew really close in that time.”
Eleanor stopped mid-swipe of the counter. “Is he okay?”
“He passed away about six months ago. He fought the lymphoma hard, though, so we got a lot longer with him than we thought we would.”
Violet pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. My twin brother, Cody, left the special forces a few months before that and started working at the bar to help. He’s similar to our dad in personality and just loves the work.”
Not only that, but the customers loved him too. He was a people person.
“Well, I think a certain someone is very happy you’re here,” Eleanor said, rinsing out her cloth in the sink.
Nylah swallowed, knowing exactly who she was talking about. Liam had been in the shop a lot over the last week—ordering coffee, having lunch. She was pretty sure it was his inadvertent way of watching out for her. But nothing had happened over the last week. Which meant tonight, she was officially back at her condo.
“Is tonight your first night back at your place?” Violet asked, reading her thoughts.
Nylah’s heart thumped, and she had to remind herself that this was what she wanted. This was her choice. “Yeah, it is. It’ll be nice to be back in the condo.”
Lie. Big…fat…lie.
But she’d only been working with these women for a few days. She couldn’t explain her lifelong struggle with independence and how important it was to her.
“You know Liam will be there, like, all the time though, don’t you?” Eleanor said with a grin.
The idea made her heart race. God, her body was betraying her constantly lately. “Maybe.” She needed a change of subject, fast. She cleared her throat. “Are either of you guys dating anyone?”
“I’m a lone wolf,” Violet said before her gaze shifted to Eleanor. “El, on the other hand, has had…what is it, two dates with this new guy?”
Nylah’s brows lifted. “New guy?”
Eleanor’s features softened, a dreamy look coming over her face. “Yes. And he’s beautiful. Intense, but beautiful.”
Sounded a bit like Liam. “Tell me about him.”
“You’ll actually meet him tonight. He’s picking me up. Should be here any minute.”
Vi shook her head. “At the picking-up-from-work stage already. Sigh. I need one of those.”
“Here he is,” Eleanor said, gaze shifting to the window.
Nylah followed her gaze, her eyes immediately widening. “Wait, that’s…”
“Officer Carlson to most, but Pierce to me. God, I love dating a man in uniform.”
The door opened and the officer walked in. Unlike the last two times she’d seen him, he wasn’t wearing his police uniform tonight, instead just jeans and a pale blue shirt. He walked straight over to Eleanor, slipped an arm around her waist, and kissed her.
Nylah swallowed and looked away because, well, that kiss was far too intimate for spectators. And it certainly didn’t look like a two-date kiss.
Violet, however, stared at the couple like she was watching a play, her eyes lighting up with excitement. She looked happy for El, which wasn’t surprising. Nylah had learned that the two women had moved to Cradle Mountain around the same time and become instant best friends when Violet had responded to a roommate request from Eleanor.
When the couple separated, Eleanor cleared her throat. “Pierce, you know Nylah, right?”
She looked up, sure her cheeks were beet red. “Hi, Officer Carlson.”
“Hey, Nylah. Just Pierce here. How’ve you been since the break-in?”
