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“Find Eugene and ask if you can use a Mandrake mic,” I suggested. “I think I saw him in the restaurant about ten minutes ago.”
A pout marred Enid’s heart-shaped face. “Can you take care of it? I have to touch up my makeup and make sure Peter’s dressed properly.”
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll do it.”
Enid scampered toward the elevators, casting a dimpled smile back at Liam.
I grabbed his hand and towed him toward the restaurant. “Sorry to rush you, but I’ve got to catch Eugene and chase down that mic.”
Liam’s fingers curled possessively around mine. “He left you for her?” he said, in an incredulous tone.
I tried to wipe the satisfied grin off my face, with no success. So Enid’s sex-kitten appeal didn’t affect him. Well, great. My mood soared.
“Pick up the pace,” I urged. “I’ve only got ten minutes to save the world.”
He swung me around into a corner alcove full of vending machines. “If you’ve got ten, you can spare one of them to kiss me. That leaves nine to save the world. For you, that’s a generous margin.”
He kissed me until I was soft, hazy, and glowing. “Wait. What was I supposed to be doing?” I asked, dazed.
He leaned his forehead against mine and kissed my nose. “The mic. From Eugene. For Enid,” he said dutifully.
“Oh, God.” I took off running.
He tagged after me companionably as I ran my errands, and finally we were seated in the back of the hall, my hand tucked in Liam’s. Peter and Enid were great, and the band that backed them played with energy and precision. When the plaintive strains of “The Road to You” died away, the applause was long and loud.
I nudged Liam as I clapped. “What do you think?”
His face was noncommittal. “Better than I expected.”
I tugged on his hand. “Let’s congratulate them. Come on.”
Enid spotted Liam’s tall form first, and she bounced toward them, beaming, her eyes expectantly on Liam. “Hey! Did you like the show?”
“Yes, I enjoyed it very much,” he said politely.
Enid took him by the arm, pulling him toward where Peter sat, fingering his guitar. I trailed uncomfortably behind. “Hey, Petey! Meet Liam, Nancy’s new friend," Enid said.
Peter’s head whipped around. His eyes narrowed. “Ah. So you’re the guy who spirited away our manager the most important week of the year?”
Liam gently extricated his arm from Enid’s grip. “And you’re the guy who left her at the altar and mooches money off her.”
Peter’s mouth dropped open. He glanced at Nancy, his face looking utterly betrayed. “Who does this asshole think he is?” he hissed.
I pushed closer, horrified. “Peter, I’m sorry. He?—”
“Don’t tell me. Don’t want to know.” He grabbed Enid’s arm. “Come on, baby. Let’s network.” Enid shot a bewildered glance over her shoulder as he dragged her away.
I stared after them, aghast. “Liam! What the hell have you done?”
The expression in Liam’s eyes was absolutely unapologetic.
I walked away from him, quickly, but Liam kept pace. No matter how fast I went, his stride lengthened to match it.
I kept my back to him in the elevator. I was horrified. I’d known he was opinionated, but this was wantonly destructive. Damaging for me.
Once out of the elevator, he stalked beside me with catlike grace to my room door, waiting as I fumbled for the key. I unlocked it and stumbled inside. The door ka-thunked shut behind us.
Liam flipped on the light by the door. “Okay,” he said. “Let me have it.”