By admin Fake Dating My Ex’s Favourite Hockey Player Novel CH 139
“That’s not what I said.”
“Good. That means this is the part where you come thank your amazing boyfriend with a kiss, mhm?”
I’d only ever offhandedly thought about how cute flowers out front would be when we were at the farmers market. Now they’re actually here. And I’m so happy I can barely breathe, except also completely panicking because- “Wait. Did I say that out loud? Are you some kind of mind reader? Should I be concerned?”
Liam just sighs and steals the kiss for himself, like he doesn’t trust me not to combust. When he’s satisfied, he finally laughs at me. “You’re really easy to read when you want something. It was kind of obvious, Em.”
“Really?” I narrow my eyes. “That can’t be right. If it was, Tessa wouldn’t have kicked me off her Netflix.”
I push open the bakery door, and Liam strolls in like it’s his second apartment. I shake my head. “Don’t you have practice?”
“Kind of.”
“Kind of?” I blink at him. “What does that even mean?”
It’s already been a week since Owen’s barbecue, which basically translates to a week of me unofficially living with Liam. I just… haven’t exactly gotten around to telling Tess. Every time I swing by for clothes, she’s at work, and when she’s home, I’m at Liam’s.
Not that she seems to care. The only texts I get from her these days are along the lines of Touch my wine and die. Which–rude. I wasn’t even tempted. Besides, we’re supposed to be on a very serious alcohol ban. Okay, fine, I may have stolen one bottle, and Tess nearly dragged me through the nine circles of hell for it.
“I have to leave in a bit, but not right now,” Liam says, glancing around. “Figured I’d stop by. It’s been a while since I last visited. Doesn’t look like much has changed.”
I click my tongue. “Well, we’re open to investors if you’re looking for a way to blow some of that Calloway money.”
His brows lift, interested now. “Really? And what’s the return rate?”
“A lifetime of helping out a struggling baker.”
He leans against the counter, arms folded, that smug little half–smile tugging at his mouth. “That might’ve worked before. Not anymore.”
He doesn’t move to help, just stands there watching me get myself set up. Typical. I roll my eyes, head for the sink to wash my hands, then reach for my apron on the stupid too–high hook Tess insists on hanging it from. I’m about to hop on my tiptoes when Liam finally pushes off the counter. Of course he doesn’t hand it over like a normal person–no, he comes up behind me, reaching past me with zero effort, brushing so close I can feel the warmth of him at my back. He slips the apron off the hook and holds it out like it’s no big deal.
I don’t know whether to laugh or groan.
“Demolishing this place, maybe.”
I whip around, snatching the apron. “What? Excuse me? How can you even say that?”
He doesn’t even flinch–like he already knew I’d react this way. “You told me yourself this building isn’t even in your name.”
My stomach dips. “It’s not.”
“Right.” His jaw tightens, a muscle ticking there.
in that bastard’s name. And every time I think about it, it makes me want to put a
hole through the wall, Why keep tying yourself to something that’s his?”
I pause, knotting the apron strings too tight at my waist.
Bese…I don’t really have anything else.”
His brows lift, sharp and questioning. “Really? Already forgotten?”
I blink, caught off guard. “I’ll admit–sometimes I hate baking. I didn’t start this for any noble reason. Some days it leaves me with more bitterness than sweetness. But at least it’s mine. At least it’s not nothing.” I drag in a breath, forcing the words out. “I’m not Tess. I don’t thrive on being busy every second. But I know what it’s like to be nothing but somebody’s shadow. I depended on him for everything.
1/2
4:24 PM
C
0
Chapter 139
And some women… maybe they’re fine with that. I wasn’t. It gutted me. I lost every ounce of agency I had, and I’ll never–ever–let myself repeat that mistake.”
His eyes darken at the unspoken name. He doesn’t need me to say it.
Liam reaches out, curling a hand at the back of my neck, grounding me. His voice is low, steady. “And you won’t, love. Not with me. I’m not saying give up. I’m saying–you’re not chained to this particular place. If you want to bake, bake. But why here? Why anywhere that ties you back to him?”
I bite my lip. I want to argue, but the truth is… he’s not wrong. My history with this building is messy at best. Mrs. Beckett alone is enough to make me want to torch the place, let alone the man whose name is on the papers. Memories? Sure. Attachment? Not enough.
“Not at all,” I admit quietly.
Liam’s smile turns suspiciously satisfied. “Good. Now maybe I can actually sleep at night.”
I shove at his chest with a laugh. “If it was bothering you this much, you could’ve just said something.”
“And risk a fight?” He grins, tugging me in closer instead of letting me push away. “I’d rather keep you happy with me forever.”
snort. “Forever. Dramatic much?”
“Call it what it is–romantic.” His grin deepens. “Speaking of, I could be convinced to forgive you for refusing to come to my away games if you rethink the Chicago one.”
I shake my head. “Liam…”
“Come on, Em. Don’t you want to watch your amazing, talented, ridiculously good–looking boyfriend wipe the ice with that asshole?”
My lips twitch despite myself. “It’d be too pitiful to watch. But if you insist… fine. I’ll think about it.”
He knows me well enough to catch the truth: my “maybe” is practically a yes. His whole face lights up, and he’s just about to celebrate when my phone buzzes on the counter.
“Can you grab it for me? I want to finish up here.”
“Sure.” He kisses my cheek before strolling out of the kitchen to answer. I hear his voice, casual at first, muffled through the doorway. But then… silence. Too long. My hands still in the flour.
“Liam?” My voice carries into the front. “Everything okay?”
Nothing.
I frown, wipe my palms on my apron, and walk out–only to find him standing there, shoulders tense, scrolling through something on my phone. His jaw is tight, his mouth set in a grim line.
“What is it? Did something happen?”
He drags a hand through his hair, muttering a curse. When his eyes lift to mine, they’re heavy, furious. “It’s Stone, Em.” His voice is rough. “The case was dropped.”
For a second, the words don’t make sense. My brain refuses to compute them. The same way it refused every time Diana warned me this exact thing could happen,
S
Unle
I swa
2/2