Page 49 of The CEO I Hate (The Lockhart Brothers #1)

MIA

“ T urn it up!” Jerome called across Liam’s massive living room. “I want to hear that sweet, sweet music!”

Liam reached for the remote, and the End in Fire theme rang across the room.

“That’s Emmy-award-winning music, people!

” Jerome said, holding up his champagne flute like a tribute.

He was already pleasantly buzzed, but the night was young, and Sophie had turned up with what she called the good stuff along with half the staff from the Scarlet Parlor for tonight’s season two premiere watch party.

I foresaw an evening of many drunk shenanigans ahead of us.

Ash barked in agreement from under the coffee table, tail thumping like he was the official hype man. Someone had tied a tiny VERITV MVP bandanna around his neck, and he was trotting around like he owned the place.

Tanya threw her arm around Kait’s shoulders, giving her a squeeze as the title sequence started to play. Liam grinned at me from his place by the massive home theater speakers. He’d taken charge of the electronics while I stayed on top of the food and drink situation.

We’d transformed his kitchen and living room for the evening, welcoming our nearest and dearest to celebrate with us. Jake and Gabrielle had come out along with some of his close firefighting buddies. Tons of cast and crew members had been invited.

Liam had invited his family as well, of course.

They were all there with the exception of his niece, Grace, who was at home in San Francisco with a sitter.

She was far too young for this kind of party, but Liam had called her earlier and overnighted some cool End in Fire swag to Connor’s place so she felt included in the celebration.

For the first time ever, Liam’s place actually felt crowded. And I was loving every second.

Cade appeared on screen shirtless, and Jerome and Craig cheered the loudest of everyone. “Leo! Leo! Leo!” they chanted.

Liam smirked, making his way over to me at the kitchen island. “I don’t know why I bothered to turn it up. Won’t be able to hear a word over the party.”

“Oh, we’re totally rewatching tomorrow,” I said.

“From bed. While we’re hungover,” he agreed, sipping his champagne.

“And eating a mountain of leftovers.”

“That sounds like a perfect start to the weekend.”

I grinned, doling out more champagne. There was so much alcohol flowing that it almost felt like New Year’s Eve. I glanced down at the engagement ring on my finger, thinking about all the watch parties to come .

“Shh!” Tanya called suddenly. “Everyone quiet!”

“Is it in?” Jerome asked. He latched onto Craig. “Oh my God! What’s it say?”

“The review from The Hollywood Reporter is up!”

There was still too much chatter to hear her properly.

“Quiet!” Sophie bellowed, her voice carrying as loudly as a clap of thunder, silencing everyone.

I rushed around the island to peer over Tanya’s shoulder. I could feel Liam at my back.

“Ah! Read it!” Kait said. “No, wait. I’m not ready.” She chewed on her fingernail.

“I’m reading it anyway,” Tanya said, scrolling through the beginning of the article. Ash had somehow wedged himself between Tanya’s chair and the TV, ears perked and tail still like even he knew this was a big moment.

I groaned, nervous as Liam wrapped his arm around my middle. I could feel his lips at the back of my head, pressed against my hair. He was holding his breath.

Tanya cleared her throat. “Okay, here it is…‘Season two of the hit show continues to deliver a gripping and emotionally charged storyline’!” she read, her voice trembling from excitement. It rose in pitch as she continued, the words flying from her mouth.

“‘With its masterful direction, sharp writing, and heart-wrenching performances, this series isn’t just about the fires they fight but about the personal battles that burn just as fiercely. Clear your schedules because End in Fire continues to be a must watch’!”

I was jumping up and down, twisting into Liam’s arms, before I realized what was happening. The noise in the room swelled as champagne flutes were emptied in celebration. “Did you hear that?”

He leaned down and kissed me in answer.

“Oh, Variety is out too,” Kait said, looking at her phone as Liam and I broke apart. “Holy shit! They called us a blazing success!”

Liam’s brothers led a round of cheers.

“It says this standout season improves upon the first!” Kait continued, scanning the article.

“Ha!” Jerome said. “Don’t tell Lyle.” He flashed me a wicked grin.

Lyle had been invited tonight, like the rest of the writers, but hadn’t been able to make it.

I couldn’t exactly claim I missed having him around, even if we had settled into a decent working relationship by the end.

He wasn’t always the easiest to work with, but all the same, I really hoped I’d have the chance to work with him again.

I couldn’t wait to see what we could do with a third season.

“So, boss man, what’s the word?” Jerome called over everyone. “Are we making more hit television or what?”

I turned back to Liam. His face was flat, unreadable to most, but I could tell he was trying to suppress a smile by the way his jaw twitched. He’d been tight-lipped about the future of the show, even around me, but I was pretty sure we had our answer now.

“Press release is going out tomorrow,” Liam announced. “Season three is officially going into pre-production. I’d expect calls from your agents very soon.”

Jerome, Tanya, and Kait ended up in a group hug with a very disgruntled Paula in the middle. Ash let out a bark that perfectly timed with the cheer, then launched himself into the middle of the group hug. Paula didn’t look thrilled, but she didn’t push him out either .

“Where do you think you’re going?” Liam asked me, catching me by the hand as I made my way to the island for more champagne. It was only then that I realized we were running out.

“Need to pop out to the garage,” I said. We’d stored the excess drinks out there.

“Allow me to escort you, Gretel.” He tossed his arm over my shoulders. “Wouldn’t want you to take a wrong turn somewhere.”

We headed down the hall together.

“It goes without saying that I want you back in the writers’ room,” he said, pulling the garage door open. “If you can stand another season of writing with Lyle.”

We collected another bottle of champagne, carrying it back toward the kitchen.

“You know, I think I’ve finally figured out how to handle him,” I teased. “Even though this season was a bit of a…trial by fire.”

Liam threw his head back and laughed. “How long have you been waiting to use that?”

I smiled, coasting on a wave of joy from how happy he looked and how happy he made me. I entwined our fingers. “In all seriousness, part of me sort of likes the challenge. He makes me a better writer.”

“And you make us all better in turn,” Liam said. “Me especially.” He tugged me to a stop in the hall. I thought he might kiss me again, but he pressed against a door, leading me into the sitting room.

I giggled as he put the champagne down on a side table, dropping into an armchair while pulling me into his lap. “Hi,” he said.

I pressed my forehead to his. “Hi,” I whispered back.

He tilted his head, nipping at my lips before taking them in a kiss that gradually grew more intense.

It reminded me of New Year’s Eve over three years ago now, the two of us sneaking off and finally giving in to our attraction…

for a few minutes, anyway, before reality came crashing back in.

This time, though, Liam wrapped his arms around me with certainty, like he never intended to let me go, and there was no hesitation in the kiss. No fear that someone might walk in and freak out. It was nice to be wanted like this.

Nice to know I was his priority while the rest of the party carried on down the hall.

“Guess what?” I said.

He pulled back enough to look me in the eyes. “What?”

“I just heard back from my agent. Apparently, my limited print run of Heart and Hustle did so well that…”

“That…” he said, his hands tightening around my waist, making me giggle.

“I’ve just been offered a three-book deal by a major publisher.”

“Mia!” Liam said, almost displacing me from his lap in his urgency to congratulate me. “This is amazing news!”

“Well, so is season three,” I said. “Congrats, Smiles.”

“Come here, Gretel,” he said, tugging me close. He pressed his lips to mine, the kiss turning fiery, and I was totally okay with that.

Something crashed in the living room, followed by a chorus of laughter and a very distinct bark.

“What do you think that was?” Liam asked in between kisses. “Ash finally taking out the snack table?”

“Honestly, I’m surprised it took him this long,” I said, grinning .

He huffed a laugh. “This place is going to be such a mess tomorrow.”

“Probably,” I said, feathering my fingers through his hair. “But there’s no one I’d rather wade through that mess with than you.”

Liam grinned, kissing me again, and I sighed, content with our forever. Because even though I knew our story was nowhere near over, and there were probably a lot of messy moments to come, we’d found our happy ending.