Page 53 of Deliverance

Okay, Maggie. Chill. Reel it in.

When we sit down, I take a seat and drop my bag to the ground. Skyla sets her bag down gently, lifting her shoulders to the sky. She looks like she has a board permanently glued to her back as she folds her hands in her lap.

I can’t help but lift a brow in question as I gesture to her.

“Why are you sitting like that?”

“Sitting like what?” she asks.

I mimic her posture as I shove my nose into the air.

“All prim and proper, there’s no one of importance around here. You’re fine, relax.”

She looks like she’s ready to argue before her posture slightly relaxes. It seems to be physically painful for her to do so.

I do my best to fight the smile that is begging to spread across my face as I shake my head.

“We’ll have to work on that.”

Skyla smiles and shrugs.

“So, do you have any siblings?”

That smile I was fighting disappears in a flash, but I do my best not to let it show. I give her a strained smile as I feel my face tighten.

“Not blood.”

The reminder of Bridgette is like a knife to my chest. I don’t want to think about her, let alone talk to her. Clearly this woman I’ve never met doesn’t know that, though, and based on the puzzled look on her face, she seems to be waiting for me to elaborate.

“Stepsister. Total cunt,” I say, choosing to leave Brad out of it. Despite his sister being the worst, I like the guy.

Skyla grimaces. “My condolences.”

Yeah, fucking mine too.

“Well, hello,” a familiar voice purrs.

I turn to see none other than Liam fucking Walcott leaning over Skyla. He rakes his gaze over her like the predator he is and she’s the helpless baby deer up for the kill.

“Hello.” She smiles politely.

Oh, baby. She doesn’t realize by acknowledging his pathetic existence, she’s only egged him on.

“What’s your name, babygirl?” he asks.

“Skyla Parris, and you?” she says as she reaches out to shake his hand.

I know that look. That’s the ‘oh shit, I’m flirting with my best friend’s fiancée but I don’t want to stop, look.’ He shakes her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles like the cheesy fucker he is.

“Liam Walcott.”

I make a gagging noise as Liam shoots an irritated glare my way.

“Could you be more desperate, Walcott?” I ask.

He smirks at me because I don’t think he’s ever taken anything seriously.

“Aw, you scared I’m gonna swipe your girl out from under you, Bartlett?”