Chapter 7

VIVIANNE

I step back, opening the door wider.

Liam hesitates for a moment, then steps inside, his arms tucked behind his back. He shifts his weight, looking unsure—like he’s still debating whether he should be here.

“Here,” he says, glancing at me carefully. “This came across my desk earlier.”

He pulls out a slip of paper and hands it to me. Our fingers brush as I take it and unfold it. My first check.

I was supposed to get my first paycheck on Friday, but Liam’s accountant had trouble with my paperwork, so I had to resubmit it. Now, holding the check, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

“Thanks,” I murmur, my voice tight. I quickly swipe at my wet cheeks, hoping he won’t notice. Of course, he does.

His brows crease. “Have you been crying?”

“It’s nothing.” I force a smile. “Just got off the phone with my mom. She’s not…feeling well.”

Liam watches me for a long moment, then shifts a little closer. “Do you want to talk about it?” His voice is quiet now, softer.

The worry in his eyes makes my chest tighten. I shake my head, forcing another small smile. “No, but thanks.”

He lingers, gaze searching mine like he’s trying to decide if he should push. Then, instead of speaking, he lifts a large bag. “Chinese. From the Golden Palace.”

My stomach flutters. “You brought food?”

“Yeah,” he says, a small smile playing on his lips. “I remember your order from the first time, so I just got that. Plus a few other things.”

My heart thrums an excited beat, and I have to smack it down.

Liam heads straight for the kitchen, setting down the bag and pulling out containers unlike any I’ve seen before.

They’re round, the tops a crosshatch of bamboo strips with small woven handles. Each of them has a small logo burned into the side, the darkened wood a stark contrast to the rest of the container.

I watch as he turns, pulling plates out of the cabinet and carefully piling food onto them like he’s done this a hundred times before.

“So, how was your day?” I ask, trying to ignore the way the butterflies are dancing around in my belly.

“Boring. So boring,” he says, handing me a plate before heading to the couch and turning on the TV.

He looks so comfortable here. The thought makes me smile as I sit next to him.

“How about you? Did you and Jenna have fun?”

“Yeah, actually. We went shopping for the gala and got our nails done. It was nice. We had a really good talk too.” I hold up my hands to show him my nails. “She’s been a great friend.”

Liam hums, glancing at my nails with a smirk before turning back to the TV. “Good. You deserve that.”

I open my mouth to thank him, but instead, he adds, “Oh, my father wanted me to offer you another apology for the way he behaved.”

A sour taste fills my mouth, and I feel my expression shift. I smooth it out before Liam notices.

But I’m not quick enough. I can see it in his questioning eyes. “What was that?”

“Nothing,” I lie, giving him a big smile.

“Don’t lie. What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. Really. I just—” I fumble. “I just don’t care for the guy, that’s all.” I give myself a mental pat on the back for not totally lying.

Liam watches me closely, then leans back against the couch, “Well, he invited us to his lake house trip. It’s a trip he takes every year, and he wants us both there.” He pauses. “It’s in three weeks.”

I bite back the bile rising in my throat and force myself to stay composed at the thought of being near that awful man. “Okay, no problem,” I say instead, keeping my tone light.

Liam studies me, then adds, “He’s going to expect us to sleep together—in the same bed, I mean.”

I arch a brow, forcing a teasing smirk. “Okay, we’ll make it work. I am your girlfriend, after all.” I wink at him

His lips twitch like he wants to smile, but instead, he switches gears. “Did you find a gown for the gala?”

I sigh. “Honestly? No, I didn’t see anything I liked enough to actually wear. Then again, I’ve never been to one of these things, so I don’t really know what I’m looking for.”

“It’s okay. Next week, you can take Jenna back out and look somewhere else.”

I tilt my head at him. “I’ll only go if you come with me.”

“If I go, you’ll have to take two days off because my father will be at the office on Tuesday.”

“Then let’s go on Saturday.” I watch him consider it. “And I can just go into the office when your dad isn’t there.”

He taps his fingers on the arm of the couch, thinking.

“No, I like giving you Monday off. We spend all week together. It’s good for you to have some time to yourself—keeps morale up.” He chuckles, then nods. “Okay, we’ll go on Saturday as long as you let me take you out after.”

“Deal. But Jenna still comes dress shopping.”

“Deal.” He gives me a slow, knowing smile, his gaze lingering just a beat too long before he turns back to the TV.

“Maybe we should pick out a new couch for your office while we’re at it. That thing's not the most ergonomic,” I say, his eyes shimmering as we laugh.

There’s something about the way he looks at me—like he’s holding something back—that makes my belly flip. I push the feeling away and try to focus on the screen.

The penthouse is quiet, the only sounds coming from the low murmur of the movie we’ve barely watched. The glow of the TV flickers against the walls, the only other light coming from the moon spilling through the windows.

I blink hard, fighting off sleep, but exhaustion weighs on me.

We finish our food, clean up, and settle in for another movie. I barely register what’s playing, my body sinking deeper into the couch. My head tilts against the cushion, and the warmth of Liam’s presence beside me is…comforting.

Staying awake becomes a struggle, and soon, I give in.

The next thing I know, my alarm is blaring. My neck throbs from sleeping in an awkward position, my head slumped against Liam’s shoulder.

His arm is wrapped around me from behind, his hand curled gently at my waist, the warmth of his body pressed against mine.

At some point during the night, we must have shifted closer, fitting together on the couch like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Groaning, I silence my phone and rub the sore muscle in my neck. The slow rise and fall of Liam’s chest is steady against my face.

Turning my head, I glance up at him. His head rests against the back of the couch, his mouth slightly open.

The morning light plays over his face, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw and the messy fall of his hair. He looks peaceful, almost boyish, in his sleep.

For a moment, I just watch him, something pleasant settling in my chest.

As I move, his hold tightens briefly before loosening, and his eyes flutter open.

His sleepy eyes find mine, and before he seems to realize it, he whispers, “You’re beautiful.”

Heat rushes to my face. “We fell asleep,” I say quickly, nudging him. “Sorry, I drooled on you.”

A slow smile spreads across his lips. “I don’t mind.”

I clear my throat and push to my feet, stretching out the kinks in my back.

Without another word, I walk to my room, needing a moment to collect myself.

Before I close the door, I turn back to him. “Meet you there, or—?”

“Uh, actually, I’ll just wait. I have a change of clothes in my office.”

I nod and shut the door behind me, my heart still pounding.

***

Liam and I arrive at the office together, stepping out of the elevator side by side. Jenna spots us, her lips curving into a sly smile. I fall a few steps behind Liam to shush her, smiling back.

Inside his office, we settle in for the day. He organizes a stack of folders on his desk while I power up my laptop.

“I’ll run out and grab us a coffee from Daily Grind,” I offer.

He nods. “The usual. Just get it delivered. And ask Jenna if she wants one.”

I stand, adjust the pretty navy dress I’m wearing, and head out. As soon as I see Jenna, I rush toward her.

She leans forward, her expression expectant. “Okay, spill.”

I glance over my shoulder before whispering, “He came over and brought me dinner. We fell asleep on my couch. He held me all night.”

Her grin widens. “So are you guys like a thing now?”

“No,” I say, rolling my eyes. “But it felt…nice.”

Before she can press further, I change the topic. “Mr. Stryder wants us to go to his cabin with him in three weeks. I don’t know if I will make it—just the three of us.”

“You mean four of you,” Jenna corrects, looking up at me.

“No, I mean three: Mr. Stryder, Liam, and me.”

“He isn’t taking his wife?”

I gape at her. “Wife?”

“Oh no, how am I going to look at her when he just…” I let the sentence trail off, dragging my hands down my face.

“It’ll be fine. Just focus on Mr. Stryder—I mean, Liam.”

“You’re right.” I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. “I’m getting coffee delivered. You want anything?”

She tells me what she wants, and I walk off to place the order before heading to the bathroom.

There’s no need to panic. I can do this. I will just avoid him like the plague, and we should be fine.

Maybe I should tell Liam what happened. Then he’d understand why I don’t want to go. But would that ruin his relationship with his father?

By the time I leave the bathroom, the coffee has already arrived. I hand Jenna hers, then stalk back to Liam’s office, handing him his before picking up another file to work on.

I take a steady breath and square my shoulders.

Whatever happens at the cabin, I’ll face it on my own terms.