4 - Am I going crazy?
LIAM
Ah, home sweet home.
I step out of JFK airport, and the same pleasant feeling as usual rushes through me. New York's air doesn't exactly smell like a meadow, but the city's distinctive scent conjures up many happy memories.
When my dad asked me to move to L.A. four years ago, I jumped at the chance to experience something new. I've learned a lot in my position as a junior manager in the California branch of Davies Inc., and I've met a handful of people who I now call best friends. I like my life on the west coast, but New York will always be home for me.
"Liam!"
I turn to the voice I recognize at once. Before I can react, I'm wrapped up in a loving, motherly hug.
"Hey, Mom." I let out a strangled laugh as she squeezes the air out of me. "I didn't know you'd pick me up."
"I wanted to see you, Honey. I've missed you." She takes a step back and plants a peck on my cheek. She eyes me up and down with furrowed brows. "Have you lost weight?"
I chuckle at her typical question. "No, Mom. But you're still more than welcome to cook for me." I give her my widest grin, and she joins in with my laughter, intensifying that feeling of being home. When I spot my brother behind her, a sense of completeness rushes through me.
Go figure that I don't need my dad to feel this way.
"Henry, hey!" I greet him with a hug once our mom let go of me.
"Good to see you, little one," my brother teases. He laughs when I give him a shove, as usual enjoying my reaction to the name he likes to call me. I might be two years his junior, but I'm two inches taller than his six-foot frame.
"Happy to be back, dumbass," I huff.
Mom scowls at us. "Boys, stop bickering. Henry, grab your brother's suitcase and let's go."
Henry does as he is told, and we follow our mother to the car. Even though I'm exhausted from the long trip that started at 4 AM this morning, I can't wipe the content smile off my face. Once we board Henry's sedan and drive off, we engage in comfortable small talk. Yes, I'm home.
Sometime during the one-hour-long ride to my parents' place in Tribeca, I fish my phone out of my pocket to turn it back on. It takes a moment for all the messages I received in the past six hours to show up. The first I open is a text from my colleague and friend, Julian.
'WTF, man. Tom said you're bailing on us yet again? Afraid I'll kick your ass?'
I shake my head with a chuckle. Because my dad insisted on my attendance today to meet up with our lawyer, I had to cancel a get-together with my friends. With a frown, I text back.
'Sorry, Julian. Will let you kick my ass next time - NOT. As if you could beat me at poker! Enjoy the evening with the rest of the guys.'
I hit send, letting out a deep sigh. Work has taken up more and more time over the last couple of years. I'm glad my friends still stick with me even though I cancel our bi-weekly poker night way too often. But that might be due to the fact that I get them invitations to parties with the hottest sports models. I see Julian every day at work, and if we both take a lunch break at the same time, we make sure to get our favorite sandwiches from a place around the corner. Then there's Nathan, who I manage to meet once a week at the gym.
And last but not least, my best friend, Tom, is always up for an impromptu vacation at some beach location.
Fuck. Here we go again. Vacation. Beach.
Jo.
I hate how she still occupies my thoughts. She's in my head, obviously intending to stay a little longer—especially now that I'm in New York. If it had worked out, we could have met. I could have looked into those mesmerizing eyes, could have stared at her luscious lips. Maybe I wouldn't have had to wonder any longer what they taste like.
Damn, why did she have to ghost me? If you could call it that. I'd love to know why she never called or messaged. She really did a number on me, and I don't understand why. I've had girls give me the cold shoulder before, but never has it affected me like this.
Fuck, Liam, get a grip!
Pushing all thoughts about her aside, I look through the other messages, most of them work-related. When I get to the last one, a small smile tugs at my lips. Nadia texted.
'Have fun in New York. We'll miss you. These three weeks will be so long :('
With the smile still on my face, I text back.
'I'll miss you too. I'm sure you'll find some fun things to do without me. Before you know it, I'll be back.'
I turn off my phone and toss it on the seat next to me. My smile widens when I look out the window and watch the New York skyline come closer. Yes, spending some time at home and doing some fun things will work wonders. I'm sure.
"Liam, darling, be sensible."
I draw in a long, slow breath through my nose. I unclench my jaw before I speak. "Judith," I say. I tilt my head and give her a charming smile, ignoring her annoying habit of calling me darling. "I am sensible. Your demand is unreasonable. We've complied with a few of your requests, but this is non-negotiable. We won't budge."
Judith Moore has been our company's lawyer for more than fifteen years. The fact that she's always done an outstanding job is undeniable, but the numbers she presses for are ridiculous, and she knows it. Not even her service is worth that much money.
With a deep sigh, Judith leans back in her chair. She taps her perfectly manicured fingers on the table before she grabs her wine glass to take a sip. I watch how her bright red lipstick leaves another faint mark on the rim, and my eyes follow the movement of her tongue that she runs over her lower lip. Even in her fifties, Judith has lost nothing of her beauty—a fact she likes to use to her advantage. She bats her long eyelashes and gives me a flirtatious smile.
"Okay," she says. "What about this?" She scribbles down a number on the piece of paper that lies between us on the table. She places the pen on top and slides it over.
I move my empty plate to the side and pick up the pen. I study Judith's new proposal. Still way too much. She certainly wouldn't pull this shit with my father—another reason why I have to stay alert.
Biting my lips, I lean back and let my gaze wander through the French restaurant where we just enjoyed a delicious dinner. The classically romantic decorations along with the Impressionist paintings and the vaulted ceilings give off a comfortable vibe. I can't help but feel relaxed in the dim, candle-lit interior. The soft piano music that plays in the background only adds to that.
I wonder if Judith wanted to meet here because she thought she could make me comply with her demands more easily in an atmosphere such as this. But I know I mustn't let her butter me up. I go over my options. My father made more than clear which stipulations are acceptable and what I have to refuse, but I presume certain modifications are in order. I cross out Judith's number and write down my own.
"This is my last offer." I hand the note back to her. "If you agree to this, we will accept this." I point to a paragraph on the contract that Judith wanted to adjust but I declined earlier.
With narrow eyes, Judith picks up the note and examines it. She rolls back her shoulders and lets out a deep sigh. "All right. I agree." Her lips stretch in another seductive smile. "I'm impressed, Mr. Davies. You proved yourself a worthy successor of your father. It was a pleasure doing business with you."
She grabs her glass and empties the remnants of her red wine at one swallow. She gently places it on the table before she gathers her papers. "I will send you the new contract by the end of this week."
I nod and call for the waiter to take care of the check. We get up, and I help Judith into her coat. While I do, my gaze wanders through the busy restaurant once more. I catch a glimpse of someone walking toward the back where the restrooms are. I freeze, blinking rapidly.
No, this is impossible. Before I can have a closer look at the woman in the purple cocktail dress with the ebony hair, she's out of sight. But no. No, no, no. This wasn't her; I'm hallucinating.
Fuck, why does my heart beat wildly all of a sudden?
"Liam? Is everything all right?" Judith's voice snaps me out of my daydream.
I clear my throat and remove my hands from her shoulders. "Yes, sorry. I just thought I saw someone I know."
She turns and furrows her brows. "Okay. Well. My driver is about to pick me up. Where are you staying? We can give you a ride."
I frown but nod my head yes. "That'd be great. Thanks, Judith."
"Of course, darling." She gives me another teasing smile before she walks ahead out of the restaurant. I tag along with one last look toward the back.
I'm moments away from just waiting for her to return, just to confirm that I've gone crazy. After imaging her voice on the phone, I see her in other women. I internally roll my eyes at myself. Has she hurt my pride that badly? Or maybe I'm too exhausted after such a long day.
Yes, that's it. I need some sleep.
We stand outside at the curb where a car comes to a stop a moment later. I open the car door for Judith before I get in on the other side.
We drive off after I tell the chauffeur where to go, and I watch the city lights flash by, deep in thought. How do I get over a woman I only spent a few hours with? How did she manage to leave such a lasting impression?
Good thing we're celebrating Paul's birthday this weekend. Distraction is the key. Until then, I'm going to prepare myself for the talk with my father.
Yes, no more thinking about the woman who doesn't want me to think about her.