The barista took care of our order quickly, and soon, I walked out of the café with my cup of espresso and a grilled cheese sandwich. Liam followed me with a raspberry iced tea and a grilled sandwich as well. We took it back to the house.
From the brief drive, I had seen enough. Sullivan lived in an expensive neighborhood with houses imprisoned behind gates twice my height. I stared at the impressive two-story structure offset by a well-curated lawn and a courtyard with its own birdbath fountain.
Liam parked his black Range Rover in the driveway and let us back inside the house. He angled his body to block my view as he activated the alarm. When we entered the kitchen, Sullivan wasn’t there. I claimed a stool around the island and took a big gulp from my coffee; I’d been sipping on it during the ride back.
“Sullivan tells me you’re coming to work for us.”
I hummed, taking two more greedy sips of my coffee. “What can I say? He was pretty convincing that you guys need me. It would be rude of me not to help you out with my outstanding superpower.”
Liam laughed. “And what superpower is that?”
I waggled my eyebrows. “Why, seduction, of course.”
“Of course.” He eyed me. “I can see that. You’re rather attractive, soft, and effeminate looking, if you don’t mind me saying so.”
“Thank you. I’ve been living on my looks alone for a while now, so I suppose it’s good for something.”
“You sure you want to get into bed with Sullivan and me?”
I put my coffee down on the countertop and pressed my hand against my cheek theatrically. “Is that an invitation for a threesome? That clears up some of the mystery.”
Liam grinned, his expression so open and honest. It was easy to see who the fun one was on this team they had going.
“Trust me, babe, a threesome with Sullivan and me is not in your future.”
“Too bad. Could’ve been fun.”
“Hmm.”
I picked off the crust from the bread. “Hmm, what?”
“Just trying to figure you out. What makes you tick. What wounds your carefree attitude covers up.” He shook his drink, the ice rattling around. “It’s hard to believe someone like you hasn't snagged himself a good man by now.”
My chest squeezed painfully. “I don’t need to be snagged up by anyone. I can take care of myself.”
He held up his hands. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you by implying otherwise.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Apology for what?”
Sullivan entered the kitchen, his hair still slightly damp from his shower. It was curlier than before. He had changed into a pair of dark blue jeans and a shirt, with a navy blazer.
“Nothing,” I said quickly, then ripped my sandwich in half and extended one part toward him. “I’m sorry he didn’t get you anything, but you can have half of my sandwich.”
“I told you he doesn’t eat anything in the mornings but drinks that nasty stuff he has in the refrigerator.”
Sullivan walked up to me and took the sandwich from me. “Maybe you never offered me anything,” he said to Liam, then took a bite out of it. “Thank you.”
I beamed a smile at him. “See, I’m already useful.”
“Need I remind you this is your house, asshole?” Liam said. “You should be offering me something to eat. If Maggie were here, she would’ve had a buffet set out for her favorite guest.”
My ears perked up. “Maggie? Is that your girlfriend, Sully?”
Sully scowled. Liam burst into laughter. “Maggie? His girlfriend? She’s a mean hag who takes care of his house, but she’s on vacation.”
“Oh.”