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That's what I get forassumptions

I use the bathroom in the hall Wash my hands Brush my teeth That's one alcohol side-effect down To handle the other—

I fill a glass in the kitchen Drink with eager gulps

The lights are off The space is quiet

But there's so different The door to the balcony is open

Lialass, eyes on the dark sky

"Are you okay?" It's a stupid question

He's hiding some heavy secret Of course he's not okay

And what a anyway?

What the fuck are we doing?

We're soon to be business partners Once this ruse is over, that's it Our relationship is strictly professional Liaed version of strictly professional, but a lot s on the balcony in our pajamas

My head screa and don't make this more complicated

But my feet move anyway

Liam turns as I step into the doorframe

At once, the frustration on his face turns to desire His eyes flit to my bare shoulders The neckline of s

"Do you like them?" he asks

"Huh?"

"The silk pajamas"

"I do" They even feel expensive and luxurious I'lad I have this tank top and shorts set in black, wine, and green "How do I look?"

"Is that a real question?"

I nod

"You look hot, Bri" He gives , slow once-over "Don't tell me you don't see it"

"There isn't a mirror here"

He half-smiles, but his heart isn't in it

Whatever it is that's weighing on him is still there And I want to fix it I want to soothe him

I want to crack him open and hold him close

But I can't say that So, instead, I talk about the weather "It's raining"

"It is"

"You're wet"

He raises a brow "That's a softball"

"And you're too good to swing?"

"You followed through on the sports metaphor"

"Go Dodgers"

He chuckles sure

I take a deep breath Exhale slowly

His eyes stay on ned for temperature control The top is cut low The shorts are incredibly short A lot of skin is showing

Not that I usually think of it that way

It's my body If I want to adorn it in barely there shorts, that's my business

But with Liam's eyes on my skin—

I feel impossibly on display

And is I shouldn't

"Do you want an umbrella?" I ask

"No" His eyes flit toto stay there?"

"I can't convince you to come inside?"

His eyes go to my chest "You're persuasive"