Page 15 of Liam

Aleria nods, relief flashing across her face. She hops off the barstool.

I watch as they weave through the crowd, Jake’s hand hovering at the small of Aleria’s back. They settle into a cozy booth not far from where I’m sitting, their knees touching beneath the table. The intimate setting makes my jaw clench, a muscle ticking in my cheek.

Aleria’s profile is illuminated by the soft glow of the table’s candle. She tucks a wayward curl behind her ear. Jake leans in, saying something that makes her laugh, the sound carrying across the room and grating on my nerves like sandpaper.

I strain to hear, but their voices lower as they lean in closer. Why is she laughing so much? His jokes can’t be that funny. I down my second scotch, signaling for another. The bartender gives me a concerned look, but I wave him off.

Aleria’s hands dance through the air, punctuating her words with ever-widening arcs. Her elbow clips her gin and tonic, sending the glass teetering on its base.

God, she does that every time.

Jake’s hand shoots out, fingers wrapping around the base. The glass steadies, but his touch remains, his thumb brushing over Aleria’s knuckles.

The tumbler creaks in my grip. I force my fingers to relax, focusing on the cool condensation against my palm instead of the heat rising in my chest.

“Amateur hour over there,” I mutter. “How is he not running for the hills?”

My phone buzzes in my pocket, distracting me from the scene unfolding across the bar. Ryan’s name flashes on the screen. Typical. He always knows when something’s off—like being best friends came with some kind of radar. I hesitate for a moment before answering, stepping outside for some privacy.

“Hey, man,” Ryan’s voice crackles through the speaker. “You busy?”

I lean against the brick wall, loosening my tie. “Just at a bar. What’s up?”

“Talked to Alex earlier.” His tone sharpens, taking on that edge I’ve heard since we were kids sneaking out of school. “Says you’ve been off lately.”

“I’m fine. You know me. Always land on my feet.”

“I know feelings are not your thing, but he’s worried. I am, too. We are your friends, you know.”

My chest tightens. I glance through the window, glimpsing Aleria, laughing at something Jake said. “It’s...complicated.”

“Try me,” Ryan challenges.

I take a deep breath, weighing my words. “I can’t go into details, but there’s some heavy family stuff going on.”

Ryan’s sharp intake of breath is audible. “For you to call something heavy, means it’s hell. You need anything?”

“Just some time to figure things out,” I reply, running a hand through my hair.

“Alright,” Ryan says. “But don’t shut us out, okay? Now, tell me, what’s this I hear about a bet with a coworker?”

I chuckle despite the heaviness in my chest. “Alex’s got a big mouth, huh?”

“Spill it, Valeur,” Ryan demands. “I can’t believe you told Alex and not me.”

I spill everything about Aleria and our wager.

“So, this Aleria chick…” Ryan’s tone shifts, becoming playful. “She hot?”

I scoff, but heat rises to my cheeks. “She’s...not unattractive.”

“Uh-huh,” Ryan sounds unconvinced. “And you’re spying on her date because?”

“It’s just the bet,” I insist. “I don’t like losing.”

“Sure, sure.” Ryan chuckles. “So how about we get the gang together? We’ll strategize, come up with a foolproof way for you to win this thing. Maybe figure out a plan without you acting like a jealous teenager.”

“I’m not jealous,” I protest.