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Harrison Reed is very rarely nervous. If I didn’t have any other proof, that would be enough to tell me that he is madly in love with Liam.
“Oh, good, you’re all here,” Liam says, coming into the kitchen. “I have some news.”
“Seems like it’s the day for it,” Harrison says.
Liam focuses on Ivy, still standing in my arms. “I have to go back to L.A. Tonight.”
I feel her stiffen. So I guess Liam isn’t going to work up to his news.
Ivy pulls away from me, turning to face Liam. “What? Tonight? Why?”
“The show. They’re meeting about the new storyline.” Liam looks at me. “They love the new stuff.”
I smile. I knew they would. That makes me feel strangely proud to think I had a little part in encouraging him in this direction. “That’s awesome.”
He nods. “It is. But they want to start casting and working on the bigger storyline and everything.” He focuses on Ivy again. “I have to go back if I want to lead this. Toby says there’s a very strong possibility the character goes to Gwenyth if I don’t.”
Ivy wrinkles her nose. “Gwenyth is terrible.”
“Exactly,” Liam agrees.
Ivy sighs. “Well, of course you have to go. This is great. I’m so glad they like your new stuff.”
He looks at each of us, his gaze lingering on Harrison. Harrison is still seated at the breakfast bar. His expression is hard to read.
Liam finally says to Ivy. “I know you’ll probably want to stay for a few more days. This is really sudden. I’m sure you’re not ready to say goodbye. You should stay, finish things up with the house and everything. You can come home next week. Or…whenever.”
The words hang in the air, and I’m not sure any of us are breathing.
Ivy needs to be the one to tell him she wants to stay, of course. She needs to tell him about the wedding venue. But I have to bite my tongue not to protest the idea of her leaving.
As it is, the idea of Liam leaving is knotting my stomach. I’ll miss him. And it’s going to be very painful for the two most important people in my life.
“And how about Ford and me?” Harrison says, before anyone else speaks. “Ivy will come after the house is taken care of and Ford and I will come after we say goodbye to our entire town? Our families? Sell our restaurant and houses?”
Liam turns to him, frowning. “What? Of course not. I don’t expect you to move to L.A.”
“But you do expect Ivy to move to L.A.,” Harrison says.
“Well…yes. Not move. Come back to L.A.”
“And why’s that?” Harrison asks.
“Because…” Liam sighs, realizing he’s walking into a trap.
“Because you’re in love with her. Because you want to be with her long term. You want to make a commitment to her and have arelationshipwith her,” Harrison fills in. “Right?”
Liam shoves a hand through his hair. “Harrison…”
“So this is it, then. We’re done. And Ivy and Ford are done? Just becauseyouneed to go back to L.A.” Harrison is pissed.
Harrison almost never loses his temper.Almostnever. He has a very long fuse. He lets things roll off. He chooses his battles and finds most not worth the effort.
But from the very beginning, Liam Tate has been getting under Harrison’s skin, unlike anyone else ever has.
“We don’t have to be done,” Liam says. It’s clear he’stryingto hold on to his temper. “We will come back and visit. We love it here. And you guys can come to L.A. Whenever you want. You have a plane, for fuck’s sake. Come every weekend if you want to.”
“So friends with benefits? Long distance?” Harrison stands from his stool. “I’m not fucking doing that.”