When We Kiss by Darcy Burke Page B

clear. Absolutely devoid of emotion. Which likely meant she was pissed. Or hurt. Or both.
    â€œAnyway, that’s it.” Liam sat down.
    Conversation picked back up. Some people talked about the zoning, but Liam didn’t join in. He tipped his head toward Aubrey. “I should’ve told you in private.”
    She shrugged, keeping her focus on her dinner. “Why? It’s not really my business. I mean, not beyond the zoning, but the Parkers’ reasons for appealing don’t really matter.”
    â€œCan’t you argue that their appeal is frivolous or something?”
    â€œMaybe, but I doubt the board is going to care whether Russ and Whitney are scorned lovers.” She picked up her beer. “Don’t worry about it.”
    â€œI wasn’t dating her,” he said, wishing she’d turn her head to look at him.
    She finally cocked her head, and he caught the fire in her eyes. “You were just hooking up, right? Like you did with me. No need to explain. That’s your MO.”
    Yes, it was. And what had been his intent? Don’t worry, she didn’t mean any more to me than you did, which is to say, you both meant nothing.
    â€œActually, it wasn’t like with you,” Liam said. “I never once sought her out. When she heard I was in town, she called me.”
    She turned her head, and her gaze was incredulous. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
    Chloe, maybe the biggest Game of Thrones fan in the room, jumped up from her chair. “Hey, it’s time to watch the show!”
    All heads turned to the clock on the wall, and nearly every chair moved back from the table in unison.
    Sean reached for one of the pitchers. “Refill time.”
    Everyone collected their drinks and filtered downstairs.
    Liam touched Aubrey’s arm. “Hey, are you mad at me?”
    She blinked. “Should I be?”
    â€œI might be, if I were you.”
    She smiled, but it was deceptively serene. “Well, you’re not me. There’s a reason I broke things off with you, Liam. I’m a nice girl with simple dreams. You’re a player seeking world domination. What you do doesn’t affect me. I’m going down to watch the show.” She turned and left the kitchen.
    He followed but knew he’d have to watch the show again later, because he wasn’t going to be able to focus while his mind was wrapped up with what she’d said. She was a nice girl, but he doubted her dreams were simple. She was far too intelligent, too fun-loving, too dynamic. But he really didn’t know. He’d never bothered to ask what her dreams were. Now that he wanted to know, he doubted she would tell him.

Chapter Six
    A UBREY SOMEHOW MANAGED to lose herself in the show. She’d been so angry at the start. And that made her mad. She didn’t want to feel betrayed or jealous or anything else to do with Liam. That’s why she’d broken things off—so she wouldn’t feel those things.
    Ugh. Get over it already , she told herself.
    â€œI’m so glad you came tonight,” Sara told her as they all stood up from the theater seats.
    Aubrey had strategically positioned herself between Sara and Chloe so that she wouldn’t have to sit by Liam. She wasn’t sure where he’d sat or if he’d even come down to watch.
    â€œI am, too,” Aubrey said. “Thanks for having me.”
    Chloe touched her arm. “Come back next week. You can’t beat watching it on that screen.”
    No, she couldn’t. The television she’d bought was huge compared to what she’d had, but this was like watching it in a legitimate movie theater.
    â€œAnyone want to hit the wine cellar?” Kyle asked the room at large.
    â€œYeah, stay,” Chloe said to Aubrey.
    â€œThanks, but I need to get home. I have to get up early for work. I have a short trial this week, plus I need to work on the zoning brief.”