Page 8 of Liam (The Valeur Billionaires #4)

Chapter Five

LIAM

T he moment Aleria walks into Whisper Lounge and Bar, I know I’m in trouble.

“Good Lord, James,” I mutter, unable to tear my eyes away, “did you raid the costume department from Grease ?”

She looks ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. No man in his right mind would give her a second glance. I should celebrate my imminent victory in our little bet.

It's been five days since I started overseeing the ASTRA project, five days of finding excuses to visit the lab, watching her work with an intensity that both impresses and infuriates me .

Yesterday, I caught her scheduling this date in hushed tones with someone named Jake. Not that I was eavesdropping—I just happened to be reviewing specs at a nearby workstation. For the third time that day.

The smart move would be to let her fail on her own, but something compelled me to show up. Just to ensure fair play in our bet, nothing more.

I down the rest of my drink in one burning gulp, signaling the bartender for another. This is going to be a long night.

Whisper Lounge lives up to its name. A gentle chorus of voices mingles with the sultry notes of a jazz saxophone. The lighting is dim, casting everything in a warm, golden glow that softens the edges of the world.

Aleria scans the room, her hands smoothing down her dress in a gesture that’s oddly endearing. I watch as she makes her way to the bar, perching on a stool and ordering what looks like a gin and tonic.

Her eyes dart around the room, and for a moment, I think she’s spotted me.

I duck my head, pretending to be fascinated by the coaster under my drink.

Her fingers start tapping against her hip—tap, tap, tap—the same nervous rhythm she used to drum on her textbooks before exams. Some things never change.

How many times had I stilled those restless hands with my own?

When I look up again, my stomach drops. A tall, handsome man in a tailored suit is approaching Aleria. Jake, I presume.

He moves with the confidence of someone used to getting what he wants. An unexpected surge of annoyance ripples through my chest .

“Oh, hello,” Aleria’s voice carries across the bar, pitched higher than usual. “You look nice today. I like your...face? I mean, it’s symmetrical. That’s good for reproduction. Not that I’m thinking about reproduction!”

I cringe, certain the man will make a hasty retreat. To my surprise, he laughs, charmed by her awkwardness.

“Thank you,” he replies, his voice warm and rich. “I’m quite fond of your face as well, Aleria.”

A blush creeps up Aleria’s cheeks, staining them a soft pink.

“Would you like to sit? Unless you don’t want to.

Or you’re just being polite. Or you’re an undercover agent, and this is all part of an elaborate sting operation.

Not that I think you’re lying. Or that I’m paranoid.

I just watch a lot of spy movies. Not that I have nothing better to do than watch movies.

I do science. Real science. With test tubes and everything. Oh God, I’m still talking, aren’t I?”

Jake cuts off her rambling with a warm smile. “I’d love to sit. But how about we move to a table? It might be more comfortable.”

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 .

“Whatever you say, Romeo,” Ryan teases. “So, what do you say? Call the gang?”

“The gang?” I repeat, a smile tugging at my lips. It’s been a while since we’ve all gotten together.

“Yeah, you know. Me, you, Alex, Diego. Just like old times. We’ll figure out a day that works for everyone.”

Late nights, laughter echoing off dorm walls, the comforting weight of friendship without complications. My lips curl into a smile before I can stop them, and I find myself nodding at the phone.

“Yeah,” I say, then clear my throat, smoothing out the eager edge in my voice. “I mean, sure. If everyone's schedules align, why not?”

“I’ll set it up. And Liam? Take care of yourself, man. Whatever’s going on with your family, remember you’ve got friends too.”

I hang up, lighter somehow. I straighten my tie and head back inside.

Aleria and Jake are still deep in conversation. My eyes linger on the way Jake leans in, a little too close, and the faint hesitation in Aleria’s smile. She’s too polite to brush him off, too kind to escape gracefully.

I stop beside them, clearing my throat with just enough force to draw their attention. “Aleria? What a coincidence,” I say, letting a warm smile soften my words.

Her head snaps up, and the moment our eyes meet, her smile fades. “Liam? What are you doing here?”

Jake glances between us, his brow furrowing. “You two know each other?”

“Unfortunately,” Aleria grumbles.

I nod, gesturing to the empty seat beside Aleria. “We work together. Mind if I join you for a moment?” Without waiting for an answer, I slide into the chair.

“Actually, we were—” Aleria starts, but I cut her off with an easy laugh.

“I was just passing by when I spotted you. Figured I’d say hi. Small world, right?” I turn to Jake, offering my hand. “Liam.”

Jake shakes my hand, his grip firm. “Jake. Nice to meet you.”

“So,” I continue, leaning back, “how’s your night going?”

“Great, thanks,” Jake replies, his tone polite but edged with curiosity.

Aleria glares at me, her cheeks flushed. “Liam, I’m sure you have better things to do tonight.”

“Not really.” I signal a server and order fresh drinks. “Let me buy you some drinks.”

“So, do you like science?” Aleria asks Jake, a hint of desperation in her voice. “I love science. Sometimes, I talk to my experiments. Is that weird? That’s weird, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I say.

To my dismay, Jake doesn’t seem put off by her eccentricity. “I think it’s cute,” he says, smiling. “You’re passionate about your work.”

Cute? She’s talking about conversing with petri dishes. How is this guy still interested?

I interrupt their conversation, injecting myself between them with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

I lean in, a conspiratorial grin spreading across my face. “Hey, Aleria, remember that time you triggered the lab lockdown? And then the sprinklers? The place looked like a water park by the time we were done. ”

Aleria’s eyes widen, a mix of horror and anger flashing across her face. “Liam, I don’t think?—”

“We?” Jake interrupts, his eyebrows rising. “You were there too?”

“Oh yeah,” I drawl, ignoring Aleria’s pointed glare. “We were both there. Quite the experience, getting soaked together, wasn’t it, Aleria?”

Aleria’s cheeks flush a deep crimson. “It wasn’t— We weren’t—” she says, her hands fluttering. “Liam’s just my boss.”

Jake’s gaze flicks between us.