Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 84670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
At least Declan had landed a guy who was sensible, just like Byron was for Sebastian.
Liam and me? We were fumbling in the dark all the time, but I liked it that way. I wasn’t the only one who was lost, and we had more fun as we found our way together.
“So, what do I do to help Liam?”
Parker tilted his head to the side as he stared at me. His smile changed into something softer and maybe a little pitying. “Honestly?”
“Yeah.”
“Give him space.”
I scowled. “That’s shit advice.”
Parker broke into another wild cackle that chased away the worst of my frustration. It was hard to stay mad at him. “Yep,” he admitted, “but it’s your best option right now. Liam is going through a hell of a lot of changes in his life right now. He thought he was straight; now he’s bi. He thought he hated you; now you’re okay.”
“Hey! I’m a lot better than just okay!” I pointed the paintbrush at him, forgetting that the bristles were loaded with paint. Red splattered across everything, speckling even Parker.
“Asshole!” Parker jumped to his feet, looking at himself.
I snickered at him this time. Sheets covered all the important places, and what had landed on Parker would wash off.
Deep down, I knew he was right. There was nothing I could do except allow Liam the time to think and figure some stuff out for himself. I didn’t think I would lose him like I had when we were kids. I was more afraid he’d realize that I wasn’t worth all this trouble and choose to walk away for good.
25
LIAM ROSE
Quitting my job had one major drawback—other than the obvious sharp drop in money flowing into my bank account. I now had way too much time on my hands.
The college where I lectured part-time was on holiday break until the start of the new year. I didn’t have the day job to occupy my brain. And I was trying not to call or text Rome while I was working my shit out.
I had plenty of time to think. But my brain had turned into a cesspool of dark thoughts, and I didn’t know how to break free.
So, I began taking a lot of long walks and revisiting the places where I’d gone on dates with Rome. The pinball arcade was a sad thing without him there. His stupid laugh and all his trash-talking had made me smile. The wild race of the silver ball across the field, bouncing off bumpers accompanied by the flash of lights—it lost its excitement and the sense of satisfaction without Rome.
There were no cooking classes at the moment. They were on a break through the holiday season.
The zoo was nice, though I limited myself to day trips so I could skip out on the evening crowds as they gawked at the lights. As I strolled through the zoo, acclimating to the hills, I couldn’t help imagining trips here through all the seasons. We’d see the spring flower bloom and the return of all the green leaves. The summer heat and ice cream cones as we watched the gibbons on their bamboo towers, flying from pole to pole. I’d get to see the infamous Fiona and her hippo sibling, Fritz, in their outdoor habitat. Then the changing of the leaves and the rich scent of fall as we sipped cider. I wanted all of that with Rome.
But was I the right person for him?
I wanted to be, but that wasn’t enough. Everything about Rome’s life felt overwhelming, and I was this nobody.
The weather remained gray, but the temperature was more tolerable in the low fifties. I’d bundled up to wander around the park across from Music Hall. As soon as I saw the old gazebo, my brain cursed me. I should have kissed him that night.
“You’re Rome’s friend, aren’t you?”
I spun at the gentle voice to find myself faced with a smiling blond man who looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. It wasn’t until I glanced down and noticed the violin case hanging from his right hand that I realized that this was the Simon we’d seen perform at Music Hall.
“Holy crap! You’re Simon!” I gasped, the words slipping out of my mouth because I had zero chill.
The man tossed his head back and laughed lightly. “I don’t think anyone has had that reaction to me before.”
“No! I mean, sorry. I-I-I’m a big fan. I attended your performance with Rome a couple of weeks ago. Your playing was sublime.”
His large blue eyes widened, and his smile grew even wider. “Sublime? I think I like you better than Rome already.”
“Sorry. I’m an idiot.” I shoved a hand into my hair, likely making a mess of it. “Rome would be the first to tell you I’m horrible at talking to other people.”