Liam couldn’t help smiling at the sight of Callum and Fiona’s embrace. He was happy for his friend. Hell, he was happy for all his friends. Seven business partners. Seven men he’d been through the hell of Project Arma with. And seven guys he considered brothers. They’d all found women they wanted to spend their lives with. Women who’d proven they could go through hellish experiences of their own and come out stronger.
He wasn’t sure if he’d ever find what they had. He’d never even come close. Short relationships? Sure. Dates and flings? Yep. But he’d never felt the connection he saw between his brothers and their women.
He stepped back as a few waitstaff moved past. The engagement party was in a function hall, and the setup was in full swing. The room wasn’t too large, and he knew from seeing the invite list that the space would be packed.
A hand clamped his shoulder, and he turned to find Jason smirking at him. “You watching them because you want some of that?”
Liam lifted a shoulder. “If the right woman came along, I’d be open to it. Not actively looking, though.” He was happy with his life.
“Well, Courtney did mention she could set you up with—”
“Nope. Not gonna be set up with anyone the women know.”
Jason’s lips twitched. “There’s nothing wrong with her friends.”
“Her friends are the women in this room. I don’t want to be paired with some woman who walks into her coffee shop that Courtney thinks is cute and would make a good match for me.”
Jason chuckled. “Fair enough. Could be missing out, though.”
He’d take that chance. The last couple dates hadn’t gone too well.
“Your sister and the Marble Falls team get in okay?” Liam asked, keen to change the subject.
The team from Texas should have arrived already. All the men were friends with their team. Plus, Jason’s sister, Sage, dated one of the Marble Falls crew.
“They sure did. I think they took up half the plane.”
Liam chuckled. “Safest damn plane trip around. It’ll be good to see them again.”
They hadn’t all been together since Luca and Evie’s wedding. His skin still went cold at the memory of that day. It had been the wedding from hell, and they easily could have not made it out as free men.
“It really will. And I always love time with Sage.” On cue, Jason’s phone rang, and Sage’s name popped up. “How’s that for timing?”
Jason gave his shoulder another squeeze before stepping away and answering. Liam was about to find Cassie and ask what his next job should be when someone bumped into his back. He turned in time to see a waitress falling, a serving tray already tipping from her hands.
The tray full of glasses shattered, and he grabbed her arm moments before she landed on top of the sharp shards.
The woman gasped, her ice blue eyes hitting his. “I’m so sorry! I was walking behind you and tripped.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m fine,” she said quickly. “I mean, my pride’s a little hurt, and I’m sure I’ll get a firm talking to in the kitchen, but yes, physically, I’m okay.”
He took a moment to run his gaze over her pink cheeks. The thick auburn hair that was pulled up into a tight ponytail. And those lips, so plump and red.
Fucking gorgeous.
“Let me help you clean up,” he said, voice rougher than he meant it to be.
He bent down and carefully helped her shift the biggest shards of glass onto the tray. “I’m Liam, by the way.”
“Nylah.”
Damn, she even had a sexy name. “You working the party tonight?”
“I am. I’m new in town and was a last-minute hire. Thank God, because I really need the money.” She smiled and a dimple cut into her cheek. “Are you a friend of the engaged couple?”
He lifted another shard. “I am. We run Blue Halo Security together. All the guys in the room are in the business.”
“No wonder you look like a bunch of soldiers.”
He lifted a shard just as Nylah went to grab it, and her finger slid against the sharp edge. She gasped, and before she could lift her hand, Liam wrapped his fingers around her wrist.
Immediately, something spidered up his arm. Something intense and hot. Like a zap of electricity. Connection.
His gaze flew up to see her lips part, her eyes locked on his.
Holy shit, who was this woman?
Forcing his attention away from her face, he grabbed a fallen napkin and wrapped it around the cut on her finger. “We need to get you a Band-Aid.”
She swallowed, and it was damn hard not to stare at her delicate neck. To not run his eyes over those lips again. He wanted to shift forward, lean in, see if her lips were as soft as her hand. See if she tasted as sweet as she looked.
“I can get one from the kitchen.” Her words were almost a whisper. Because she felt it too?
He kept his hand on her wrist, and with his other, he grabbed the tray of broken glass as they stood. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. But thank you for your help.” She slid the tray from his hand and stepped back. Immediately, he hated the distance. Which was crazy because he didn’t even know this woman. She smiled hesitantly. “I’ll, um, see you later.”
“Looking forward to it.” And he really was.
As she walked away, his gaze never left her. She shot a final glance over her shoulder before stepping into the kitchen.
And damn, but he was suddenly excited for the party.
When he finally looked away, he noticed men in the corner of the room. Four of them, all working on something behind the small stage. But one of them, a tall guy with dark features, was watching him closely. Liam’s eyes narrowed and the guy’s gaze quickly flicked away.
He shook his head and turned away. He was just tense because of the effect Nylah had had on him. Jesus, he needed to get a damn life. All this love in the air had clearly gone to his head.
Still…he shot one final look at the guy to find him working, before shifting his attention back to the kitchen doors, just waiting for another glimpse.
