Nothing is special to a man carved out of stone.
“This is dumb,” she finally laughed, lifting her head and wiping at her face. “I'm crying over a man who is quite possibly evil incarnate, and who also doesn't like me one little bit. What a waste of time.”
“That's the spirit.”
Katya snatched the vodka back and took a long pull.
“Yeah. Yeah, fuck him. I'm not wasting another minute on Wulfric Stone.”
As soon as she said it, Katya regretted it. She never, ever said their names to each other. She kept them very separate, didn't want Liam cyber-stalking Wulf or something. Hadn't wanted Wulf to have a name in his head.
Not that he would've cared, anyway.
“Wulfric. That's … an interesting name,” Liam's voice was soft as he played with the end of her ponytail. She sighed. Cat was out of the bag, couldn't hurt if she explained a little.
“They've all got weird names like that.”
“They?”
“He has two younger sisters, Genevieve and Brighton. I think his mom was obsessed with Old English history,” Katya chuckled, rubbing at her eyes. “Good lord, look at me. I need to take a shower.”
She couldn't help but laugh as she looked over herself. Cake all over her shirt. Smeared down the sides of her pants. She'd wiped most of it off her face, but could feel it drying and getting crusty in her hair.
“You look perfect,” Liam said.
He was just sitting there. Smiling at her. She stared at him for a moment. This amazing man. So good looking, it raised her blood pressure. So sweet, it swelled her heart. It was overcast, the warm spell they'd been having seemed to be over, yet he was sitting in a freezing cold kiddie pool with her, getting completely soaked.
“Why do you put up with me?” she sighed, finally climbing to her feet. He stood up as well, taking the vodka bottle from her.
“Because you are so sweet,” he told her, collecting his belongings as he followed her to the door.
“I don't know. I wasn't very sweet in that reception hall. The things I said to him ...”
“I would've paid to have been there.”
“You would've laughed.”
“I would've ripped his fucking head off.”
Katya was shocked at the tone of voice Liam was using. They were waiting for the elevator and she turned to face him. She'd never heard him angry before – not really angry. And he sounded beyond that, even. He sounded pissed the fuck off.
“It's done,” she said, stepping into the lift as soon as the doors opened. “Nothing you need to get upset about – it's over. So over, it's hard to believe it ever even began.”
“Katya … you're a good person. There is literally nothing you could've done to deserve that kind of treatment,” he said.
“Yeah, well, try explaining that to him.”
“Maybe I should.”
They stopped on her floor, and as soon as the doors opened, she went to step out into the hallway. Liam grabbed her arm, though, halting her mid-way. She put out her hand, stopping the doors from closing her.
“Coming?” she asked, nodding towards her apartment door.
“I have to go back to work,” he said, though something in his voice made her doubt him. He sounded off, like his brain was a million miles away.
“Oh. Okay. Well, thank you for checking on me, I really appreciate it.”
“Come out with me,” he said in an abrupt voice.
“What, to the club?”
“No, this weekend.”
“I don't really feel like tacos,” she laughed.
“I'm not talking about tacos.”
Again, that very serious tone of voice. Angry. She stopped laughing and stared up at him.
“Then what are you talking about?”
“I'm talking about a date,” he said, not looking away from her eyes. “Go out with me this weekend, on a date. Let me take you somewhere and help you forget him. Let me show you how special you really are.”
She almost laughed again. Liam? Asking her on a date? Liam didn't date. Liam ate tacos, played video games, and liked to have sex. Lots and lots of kinky, loud, hilarious sex. They'd known each other for a month now, and he'd never once asked her out on a date. Why now?
Because he knew how you felt about Wulf. He knew, and respected that choice, and didn't make you choose between them. Because he's a good guy. He's an amazing guy. He's the best guy.
“I don't know ...” she let her voice trail off as she worried at her bottom lip.
“Please, Katya. I think I could be really good for you, and you already know that we're great together. It didn't work with that guy – give this one a chance,” he said, pressing his hand to his chest.
God, had anything simpler and sweeter ever been said? Certainly not to her. She had to work to not start crying again. Here Liam was, knowing she was heartbroken over another man, knowing she probably still had feelings for Wulf, yet still – he was putting himself out there. He was putting his heart in her hands and saying “here, this is for you” – what was she supposed to say to that?
Yes. You say yes, and you try very hard to fall in love with this amazing man.
“Yes,” she breathed. His eyebrows shot up and he seemed genuinely shocked at her response.
“Yes, you'll got out with me?”
“Yes, but Liam, I can't promise that I'll be a very good date. I'm … I'm a little broken right now,” she tried to explain, trying to protect herself. Protect him.
“Then let me try to fix you,” he whispered, leaning in close and giving her a soft kiss.
She really was going to cry again, so she stepped back. Gave him a watery smile as the elevator doors finally slid shut. Then she turned around and went home, crying in earnest while she tried to unlock her door.
If Liam is so right for me, then why does this feel like it's so wrong?
*
Things were not good. The universe gave her the rest of Wednesday to deal with her inner demons. She locked herself in her room, climbed in between her sheets – still wearing her clothing and cake mess – and stayed that way for a solid eighteen hours. She ignored all the phone calls and messages and even Tori, when the other girl finally came home. She just needed some time. Time to catch her breath. His words had carved her open, she was barely holding everything inside.
Thursday was a new day, though, and no rest for the wicked. It rained on and off, adding to her mood. She finally showered and realized sleeping in cake mess was definitely a mistake. When she got out, Tori was standing in the hallway, her hands on her hips.
“Glad to see you're alive,” she said. Katya grunted.
“That's a matter of opinion.”
“Look,” her roommate sighed. “I'm not going to press you for the whole story, yet. I got a murky version from your boss, who you really need to call. Just know that whatever happened, I know it's not your fault, and I wouldn't even care if it was, and if we need to go out and bury a body, then just give me a heads up. That's all I wanted you to know.”
Katya finally laughed. For the first time in an eternity, she genuinely laughed.
“You're too good to me, Tori Bellows.”