Page 105 of Liam

“Don’t ask me, I didn’t name them.”

Aleria laughs, holding her stomach. Seeing her like this, laughing with the people who mean the most to me, fills me with an unexpected warmth.

“She was harmless,” I mutter. “Just...enthusiastic.”

“Enthusiastic?” Ryan slaps the table. “She wallpapered her entire apartment with his Forbes cover!”

“And named her cat Corporate Liam,” Diego adds, wheezing.

Aleria’s practically crying with laughter. “What did you do?”

“Honestly, it was just business,” I say, deadpan. “I arranged a meeting?—”

“He leaked to the press that Harrison, his biggest competitor, was interested in buying his company,” Diego interrupts. “Helen showed up to protest the takeover?—”

“With signs saying ‘Don’t Take My Man’s Company!’” Alex howls.

“Harrison was so impressed by her business analysis of why the merger would fail,” Ryan wipes his eyes, “that he hired her on the spot.”

“Last I heard, she moved on to obsessing over some tech billionaire in Silicon Valley,” Diego adds.

“Very on-brand,” I say. “Though I do miss the daily love letters to Accounting.”

The laughter quiets, leaving a warmth in the air. She squeezes my hand under the table, a subtle gesture that sends warmth through me. I trace circles on her skin with my thumb, grounding myself in the simple touch, in the fact that she’s here with me, fitting into my world without even trying.

“Tell her about the board meeting!” Ryan says.

“No,” I say, giving him a mock glare, but Aleria’s already leaning forward, eyes twinkling.

“Oh, the board meeting islegendary.” Diego grins, and I sigh, resigned.

“Do it, Liam,” Aleria teases, giving me a look that makes resisting impossible.

Diego grins, turning to Aleria. “So, Liam’s giving this big presentation to the board?—”

“You’re all fired,” I announce.

“We don’t work for you,” they chorus.

“Then I’m buying your companies just to fire you.”

“Worth it,” Diego decides. “Should we tell her about the woman who thought Liam was an undercover prince?”

“No.”

“Oh God, the princess story,” Ryan cackles. “When she showed up with a tiara?—”

“I’m cutting you all off.” I signal the waiter. “No more alcohol. You’re hallucinating.”

Even Marcus is fighting a smile now.

“The best part,” Alex says to Aleria, “is that he actually helped her too. Got her an audition at a Renaissance Fair.”

“I’m rethinking my friendship choices,” I announce.

“You are not. You love us too much.” Alex grins.

“Debatable.”