Page 88 of Liam
Nylah sighed. “So it’s not just Liam.”
“Definitely not,” Courtney replied.
Nylah bumped her shoulder. “I’m glad you got to celebrate with everyone here tonight.”
A genuine smile curved Courtney’s lips. “Thanks to all you guys. I would have been happy with a cake at home.”
Grace scoffed. “Absolutely not. This year has hit everyone hard, and you deserve drinks out.” She turned to look at Nylah. “Now, tell us the truth…how’s Courtney as a boss?”
“Eh, she has her moments.” She laughed at Courtney’s gasp. “I’m kidding. She’s amazing. She even told me that if I re-enroll at Columbia, she’ll work around my study hours.” If that wasn’t worthy of a boss award, nothing would be.
Grace’s eyes softened. “That sounds like our Courtney.”
The guys returned to the table. Liam placed wine in front of her and slipped an arm around her waist, then his lips moved to her ear. “Dance with me.”
She shuddered at the way his breath whispered over her skin. At the heat that penetrated her side.
A soft smile spread her lips. “How can I say no to that?”
He tugged her to the dance floor, and the second she placed her hand on his chest, she felt his tense muscles. Saw the way his eyes continued to watch the bar. It wasn’t busy tonight, which was probably the only reason he’d allowed them to come.
Against her palm, his heart beat in strong, steady thumps. “How are you doing?”
His gaze lowered, and she could see the effort he put into smoothing out his features. “Better now that I have you in my arms.”
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head—and when his head rose again and he suddenly stilled, she frowned and glanced over her shoulder to see Carlson stepping into the bar with two friends.
She turned back to Liam and lifted a hand to his cheek. “Hey. He’s allowed to be here. He’s done nothing wrong.”
For Liam, she knew that was debatable. His mistake after the engagement party had been a big one, but Liam had agreed the guy wasn’t lying when he’d said he hadn’t known her attacker had survived. So it seemed like itwasjust a mistake.
She sighed and leaned her cheek against Liam’s chest. Bit by bit, his muscles eased and his breathing became steadier. Slower. And his arms pulled her closer.
She wasn’t sure how long they remained on the dance floor, swaying to the music, getting lost in each other. But eventually she lifted her head and smiled at him. “We should get back to the table.”
“How do I let you out of my arms, though?”
Her heart melted. “The second we get home, you can hold me all night long.”
A guttural sound vibrated from his throat, something between a growl and a groan. “I’m holding you to that.”
They headed back to the table, but before reaching their friends, she touched his arm. “I’m just going to the bathroom.”
His gaze flicked toward the restrooms, then back to her. “Okay. Don’t take long.”
“I won’t.”
The thin crowd was easy to maneuver through. When she stepped out of the stall to wash her hands, her reflection revealed eyes that were wide and cheeks that were flushed. It was crazy that in the middle of danger and chaos, she could feel such happiness because she’d found Liam.
As she left the bathroom, she noticed Carlson moving to an unoccupied corner of the bar. Something about the look on his face caught her attention.
Without thinking, she moved toward him, stopping at the end of the long bar, which was just close enough to hear his hushed voice.
“Can you hear me?” he asked, his back to Nylah. “Shit, the music’s too loud in here. Hang on, I’m going outside. You need to hear this. It’s about the Blue Halo, Project Arma case. Don’t hang up!”
She sucked in a breath as he strode toward the back exit. Liam would hate it if she followed, and yeah, it would be stupid…but she had to hear what he said.
With gritted teeth, she followed, hoping like hell Liam would forgive her. When Carlson stepped outside, she hesitated for only a second before following.
