Chapter 26

VIVIANNE

I examine my dress in the mirror, watching as the sparkly green fabric shimmers and shines. The thin straps rest on my shoulders, while the rest of the dress hugs my body.

My stomach flips, making me feel a little sick. We’re meeting his mother tonight, and for some reason, I can’t shake this icky feeling.

I take a deep breath and step into the living room, where I find Liam adjusting the sleeves of his shirt.

“Hey,” he says, not looking up. “Are you ready?”

“Yep. Just gotta grab my bag on the way out.”

He smiles faintly at his cuff, then lifts his eyes to mine. Something unrecognizable flashes across his face.

“Wow, Viv.” That’s all he says, shaking his head a little before motioning me toward him.

I walk over slowly, and the knots in my stomach start to loosen. Add that to the list of reasons I started falling for him in the first place.

He reaches for the straps of my dress, gently adjusting them—fidgeting, really.

“You look beautiful tonight.”

“Stop.” My stomach twists again as I step back, putting space between us.

“I’m sorry,” he says quickly, like it’s automatic—and somehow, that makes it worse.

I clear my throat and look up at him. “Let’s go.”

I plaster on a smile and let him lead me out the door.

When we get to the restaurant—~Crave~—Liam’s mother isn’t there yet, but we go ahead and get a table for our group.

Liam only skims the menu—we both already know what he’s getting.

I’ve just decided on my order when I see a woman approach us.

I set my menu down and stand, offering my hand to shake. But instead of taking it, she pulls me into a hug, I can’t help but relax into it.

“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you!” she says warmly.

I cast a glance at Liam and catch him trying to hide a smirk. I smile back, giving him a little reassurance.

When she lets go, she holds me at arm’s length, looking me over.

“Liam,” she says, turning to him with a mock glare. “You didn’t tell me she was ~this~ pretty. You said pretty—you didn’t say ~this~.” She smiles brightly at me, and I feel my cheeks flush.

She finally releases me and introduces herself. “Call me, Steph,” she says, then takes her seat. Liam steps in to help push her chair in.

We order our food and chat while we wait. She tells me stories about Liam as a kid, each one more embarrassing than the last.

Liam is a good sport, laughing along, though I can tell he’s dying a little inside.

“Okay, that’s enough, Mom,” he says, chuckling.

“Oh, let me brag about my baby, please,” she says, smiling at him.

And just like that, there’s a dull ache in my chest. I think about Momma and how much I miss her.

Liam must notice. He reaches over and gently squeezes my hand.

“So, tell me about you,” she says, like she expects me to sum up my life in a few neat sentences.

My brain kicks into overdrive, scrambling to find something meaningful, but comes up completely blank.

“I—well, what do you want to know?” I offer, mentally patting myself on the back for at least buying some time.

“Where are you from?”

“Pennsylvania.”

“Do you have a good relationship with your parents?”

“Honestly, not the greatest.” I give her a small, sad smile.

“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. You didn’t know.” I pause. “Is there anything else you want to know? I’m an open book.”

“Well, I like you already.” She grins, and it touches her eyes.

She doesn’t ask much more—just the usual questions a mom would ask, the ones meant to feel casual but aren’t really.

I catch Liam sneaking glances at me, and my stomach flips hard enough to make me feel nauseous.

I want to yell at him. I want to tell him to stop looking at me like that

I want to make it work. I want him. The thought jolts something inside of me.

“Vivianne?” Steph’s voice pulls me back, and I look up at her.

“Hm?”

“I asked what your plans are for tomorrow.”

“Oh.” I clear my throat. “I’m just working with Liam,” I say, nodding in his direction.

“Good, good, because I can pull rank on him.” She smiles, then looks at Liam for backup. “You’ll come with me tomorrow.”

“I think I can spare you for a day,” Liam says, smiling at me.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, go ahead. Have fun. I’ll handle things at the office.” He nods at Steph, then glances at me again—just for a second too long.

“Liam, I can’t just not show up at work.” An anxious laugh escapes me.

“Sure you can.” He pops another bite into his mouth, relaxed as ever.

I blink at him, trying to navigate the fine line I’m currently walking. I don’t want to offend Steph, but he can’t just decide I’m not working.

“We have a lot to do tomorrow. You have meetings with Joy Hanes and Scott Harris.”

I barely stop myself from scoffing. He’s been stressing about these meetings all week.

Joy Hanes is the youngest female CEO in auto-tech—she could open a lot of doors for Stryder Corp.

And Scott Harris? He has the highest-grossing men’s jewelry brand since Rolex. Both are high profile, and Liam asked me to sit in. Said he wanted me to do my “thing,” like I had with Mr. Kravitz.

“I’ll do fine, Viv. Enjoy the day off. Go spend time with my mother,” he says, chuckling like it’s no big deal. “I ~am~ the CEO, I think I’ll be fine.”

I refrain from huffing and crossing my arms like a child.

Turning to Stephanie, I smile. “I would love to spend some time with you, Steph.” I hope it doesn’t sound as stiff as it feels.

Liam looks at me, confused—like he has no idea why I’m upset.

And honestly? He probably doesn’t.

The rest of the night goes off without a hitch, tensions dispersing enough to enjoy the meal and hear another embarrassing story about Liam.

Before we leave, Steph makes me promise I’ll come to dinner, hugging me tightly when I agree.

“Your mom is really awesome,” I tell Liam once we’re in the car and on the way home.

He looks at me briefly, his eyes glazing over for a moment.

He still doesn’t get it—doesn’t see why I’m upset that he so casually dismissed my work, like it didn’t matter.

The rest of the ride, we sit silently, the music softly playing in the background as we actively do not talk to each other.

The tension is palpable in the air—so thick it’s almost suffocating.