Until There Was You(93)

She was pretty tired, too. Thoughts of the letter had been keeping her up at night. What had her birth mother wanted? Was she heartbroken because Posey never answered? Did Posey have biological siblings out there somewhere? And why would her parents keep that from her? How would they react when she brought this up, because really, how the heck could she not bring this up?

“Hey.”

At the sound of Liam’s voice, Posey jumped, knocking the railing askew. “Dang it. Hi, Liam,” she said, feeling her face warm. She straightened the railing and looked up at him. There was Elise, standing behind Liam and grinning hugely, mouthing the words Oh, my God! as her hands fluttered in excitement. “How are you?”

So hot! Elise mouthed.

“Great.”

He didn’t look great…well, he always looked pretty great, actually. At the moment, though, he looked clenched, his mouth grim, jaw tight, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans. “Want to grab lunch?” he asked.

This was a first. Well, this was two firsts, in fact. Liam had never come to Irreplaceable, and he’d never asked her out on an impromptu date.

Unfortunately, his timing sucked. “I can’t. I’d love to, but it’s… Um, I have plans.”

At her words, Elise began humming “Happy Birthday.”

“Elise,” Posey said tightly, “could you…check the register or something?”

“Totally,” Elise said, pointing at Liam’s ass with another Oh, my God! She obeyed, however, practically skipping to the front of the store.

“So…yeah. I have a lunch thing. Sorry,” Posey said.

“Should’ve called, I guess.” He paused. “Everything good with you? Family-wise?”

“Oh, sure.” She gave a little shrug.

Liam glanced around the barn. “This is quite the place.”

“Thanks,” she said, feeling the familiar sense of pride as she followed his gaze. His expression was somber. “Everything okay with you, Liam?”

“Sure. Just…do you remember—”

At that moment, the door opened. “Come on, birthday girl!” boomed Kate. “I took an entire day off for this. I tried to get James to come, because they have stuff for guys there, too, back waxing, manly manis…they actually do a scrotal wax, can you believe that? Not that I want that for my son, but come on! Wouldn’t that be a son of a bitch?”

Ah, her delicate friend. Kate finally seemed to notice Liam. “Oh, hi, biker boy. How’s it hanging?”

“Kate,” Liam said, grinning. “How’s it hanging with you?”

Kate gave him an unabashed once-over. “I’m taking the birthday girl here to a spa. Nose to toes. Buffed, polished, oiled…whatever the hell else they do there. I tend to fall asleep, personally. But I can guarantee she’ll smell like something other than polyurethane. Thank me later. Come on, Posey, our appointment is in twenty minutes.”

“Happy birthday.” Liam looked down at her, a faint smile in his eyes. “Oh…thanks.”

“What did you get her, Liam?” Elise asked. “I’ll totally keep it a secret. Is it, like, jewelry?”

“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Posey said, mortified. “He didn’t know it was my birthday, and he’s not getting me anything.” Because one doesn’t announce to Hottie McSin that it’s one’s birthday, because one may be trying very hard to pretend that this relationship is casual, and birthdays shouldn’t be brought up, since that could be construed as begging for a gift and/or acknowledgment of a special event in one’s life.

“Have fun,” Liam said in a low voice. “Can’t wait to smell you later.”

Oh, Elvis. Posey’s knees gave a significant wobble.

“Princess! Come on! You know I hate to be late! Those waxings take a while on me,” Kate barked. “Oh, and Liam, I’m so glad you and Posey are getting it on. I think that’s very cool.”

Posey’s face actually hurt from blushing. “Okay. Sorry about lunch,” she managed.

“Not a problem.”

The memory of his smile made her feel wriggly for quite some time.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

LIAM THREW HIS TOOL BAG in the trunk of the car. Half a day’s work, gone but for a good cause. He could make the work up. Maybe (though not probably)…maybe Nicole would want to come down to the garage and do her homework while he worked. They could order pizza. She used to love being near him when he was working; she’d never be one of those women who couldn’t fix her own car, that was for sure. But she hadn’t been down in a while.

Liam pulled into Granite State Custom Motorcycles and muttered a curse. A shiny black Mercedes was parked right in front of the door, the Tates sitting in the front seat, their expressions as cheerful as cadavers.

“Come on in,” he said, holding the door for them.

“No need, Liam,” George said, getting out of the car. Louise did as well, joining her husband at his side. “We’ll make this brief.”

Liam looked at Louise, whose lips were pressed together. “What is it?”

George cleared his throat. “We’re filing for custody of our granddaughter.”

Liam’s mouth dropped open. “Are you crazy?”