Unstoppable (Forehead Kisses #4) (12 page)

She kept her braid over one shoulder while she sat down. Her back didn’t touch the chair because she sat straight. She was always poised and refined. I watched her pick up her fork and slowly eat her salad.

For the time I’d known her, I’d never seen her hang out with anyone. It seemed like she was friendless. I wondered why she chose to spend the majority of her time in solitude. We were closer friends but I didn’t think it would be right to ask. “Have you seen your parents lately?”

“No.” She sighed deeply. “But I’m supposed to have dinner with them tonight. Not looking forward to it…”

“Why do you bother to see them at all?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know…they’re my parents. This is the first time I’ve seen them since they decided to stop paying my tuition. I’m not sure how that will go.”

“They don’t deserve your compassion,” I blurted.

“Probably not. But Ash always has my back. I’m not going in alone.”

At least her brother wasn’t a dick. I liked him. He was a cool guy that looked after his sister. He reminded me of myself from time to time. “Well, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”

“Sure.” She picked at a strawberry and ate it.

I looked past her and noticed Liam and Keira eating lunch together along with Bran and Tony. They were both smirking at me, noticing my company. Liam winked at me and Keira gave me a thumbs up. Bran placed his hands out and acted like he was groping a huge rack. And Tony was acting like he was jerking off.

Thank god Livia couldn’t see them.

I rolled my eyes then returned my focus to her. “The gang is having a BBQ this weekend. You’re invited.”

“I am?”

“Yeah.”

“Your friends are nice. I like them. Well, except for Bran.”

“He comes off strong but he’s a good guy.”

“I’m sure he is.”

I finished my sandwich then looked out the window. If I looked at Livia too much, she would know how obsessed I was. Sometimes I wish she were my girlfriend just so I could look at her whenever I wanted. “Do you have any plans after dinner?”

“With my family?”

“Just in general.”

“No. I’ll probably go home and break all my dishes.”

I smirked. “Well, if you want to come over and watch a movie or something, I’ll be awake.” She had never come to my house before, and she never invited me inside of hers. But I didn’t directly ask her, just gave her an open invitation. We’d never been alone together in private. I was hoping some privacy might make her trust me, see me as something more than a friend.

“We’ll see…”

That was a definite no.
Oh well, I tried.

She looked at her watch. “I should get to my next class.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
Don’t go.

She grabbed her bag and shouldered it. “Thanks for lunch.”

“Anytime. If you need someone to vent to about your parents, you have my number.”

“Thanks.” She smiled then walked away.

As soon as she was gone, I felt gloomy.

Once she was out of the building, the gang rushed over.

“Getting serious?” Tony asked.

“We’re just friends,” I said miserably.

“Friends who fuck?” Bran asked.

“No.” I shot him a glare. “We’re friends. Real friends. Not friends with benefits.”

“Well, that sounds lame,” Bran said.

“You are not just friends,” Keira insisted. “She likes you.”

“You think?” My heart picked up in joy.

“She has to. She spends all her time with you.” Keira seemed confident.

“I hope you’re right,” I said. “Because I’m falling for her and she has the power to crush me like a bug.”

“Ask her why she’s so withdrawn,” Keira said.

I shook my head. “I don’t think she’d tell me. She’s very selective on what she reveals to me. When she trusts me enough, she’ll open up.”

“True,” Liam said.

“Is she coming to the BBQ?” Keira asked.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“Dude, that girl is wicked hot,” Bran said. “If you aren’t going to make a move, I will.”

With just a look, I threatened to snap his neck. “She’s. Off. Limits.”

Bran rolled his eyes. “If you aren’t fucking her, someone should.”

My hand shot across the table and I gripped him by the throat. Everyone froze, unable to believe I made good on my word. “Talk about her like that again and I won’t let go.” I squeezed his windpipe before I relaxed my hand.

“Damn…” Tony eyed me with a fearful look. “Scotty is in love with this girl.”

I didn’t confirm or deny it.

“Or he’s just crazy,” Bran said.

Keira smiled. “Maybe both.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Livia

I wasn’t looking forward to this.

At all.

Sometimes, during my darkest moments, I admitted I hated my parents. I immediately felt guilty just for thinking it but I couldn’t help it. I was so different from them. I didn’t care about my money or appearances. All I wanted was to paint.

After I got ready, wearing a nice dress and a cardigan, I waited for Ash to pick me up.

My phone vibrated and my brother’s name appeared on the screen.
You’re going to kill me…

That didn’t sound good.
What? You better not be bailing.

I’m sicker than a dog. I think I have alcohol poisoning.

Suck it up!

I can’t stop throwing up. If I go to dinner, I’m going to puke all over your food.

That’s fine with me.

Livia, you’ll be fine.

Don’t leave me alone with those psychopaths.

Then you better cancel right now because they are probably almost to your place.

They are picking me up?
God, I hated my life.

I’m sorry. I would go if I could. You know that.

I groaned. My brother wouldn’t leave me high and dry unless he had no choice.
I’ll bring you soup later.

Don’t bother. I’ll just throw it up.

Well, get better.

Good luck. Don’t let them get to you. You’re way better than they’ll ever be.

Sometimes my brother could be sweet.
Thanks.

As soon as I put the phone down, they knocked on the door.

Kill me now.

It was awkward in the car. No one spoke. I wondered if my parents were just as uncomfortable by Ash’s absence. I sat in the backseat of the BMW, wishing I could just disappear.

We arrived at the restaurant, and my snooty parents walked inside like they owned the damn place. My mom approached the stand and didn’t smile. She didn’t even give a greeting. “Reservation for James.”

The host nodded. “Right this way. Your other guest has already arrived.”

Other guest? What was he talking about?

We walked to the table in the corner, and I spotted a guy my age sitting with perfect posture. He wore a buttoned shirt with slacks. He had money written all over him. As we came closer, I felt a warning in my heart.

“William, how are you?” My mom approached him and let him kiss her on each cheek.

“Well.” He looked down at her. “You look beautiful this evening.” A perfect smile was plastered on his face. His teeth were unrealistically straight and white.

My mom waved off his compliment. “Thank you, dear.”

William shook my father’s hand. “It’s nice to see you, Bruce.”

“You too. How’s your father?”

“Well. Thank you.”

My mom grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. “This is my lovely daughter, Livia.”

Lovely? They’ve never called me that—ever.

William took me in with his eyes. Judging the gentle smolder in his eyes and the way his sight lingered on my petite waist he liked what he saw. He stepped closer to me. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

I wasn’t cut out for this pretentious fruity-tooty bullshit. “It’s nice to meet you.” I extended my hand to shake his.

Instead of shaking it, he brought it to his lips and kissed the surface.

Was this a Shakespearean play?
I took my hand back and wiped it on my dress, thoroughly turned off by his lack of charm.

We took our seats at the table, and my parents forced me to sit across from William.

God, this was awkward.

I didn’t want to look at him because every time I did he was staring me down. I felt like a bug under a microscope. And he didn’t try to hide his gawk. He just kept staring like I was a new toy he wanted to buy.

I didn’t like this one bit.

“So…” My mom turned to William. “Livia is a student at the university.”

“So I’ve heard.” He kept looking at me when he spoke. “Impressive.”

“She’s on the honor roll and she’s diligent in her studies.” My mom was trying to sell me off.

Unbelievable
.

“Beauty and brains,” William said quietly. “What a rare find.”

This guy was a creep.

I decided to piss off my parents. “My major is art and I’m an aspiring artist. There’s nothing else I want to do with my life besides doodle with crayons all day.”

My mom shot me a glare.

William took a moment to respond. “The greatest artists of our civilization were some of the most intellectual people, geniuses really.”

My mom tried to repair the damage. “She’s choosing another major…she just hasn’t found the right one.”

“No,” I interjected. “This is my major. I’ll gladly pay for it with my own money if I have to.”

My mom’s cheeks were starting to redden.

Take that, Mom
.

She decided on a new tactic. “William’s family is the founder of Cobalt Industries, that biotechnology company right in town.”

Was I supposed to be impressed by that?
“Cool.”

“I’m almost finished with my biochemistry Ph.D.,” William said. “And I intend to take over the company.”

“Good for you.” He was a spoiled brat born into money. That didn’t exactly get me hard.

My mom kicked me under the table.

I winced but didn’t react in any other way.

“William is a little older than you,” my dad said. “He’s twenty-seven.”

I knew where this was going…this guy was looking for a prissy, respectable, I do yoga all day long and hire a nanny to take care of my kids, wife.
Yeah…not me.
“I’m just a child compared to you.”

My mom shot me another glare.

I had to sabotage this meeting so my parents would never try to pull this shit again. Like a dog that pissed in the house, I had to shove their face in their own mess so they wouldn’t make the same mistakes.

We ordered dinner and things started to calm down. When I had delicious food in my face, it was hard to be too upset. And luckily, there was wine on the table.

My savior.

Every time I looked up, William was gawking at me.

“Is there something in my teeth?” I blurted.

He looked uncomfortable. “No…” Then he kept his eyes on his own plate.

That’s what I thought…

At the end of the meal, my parents stood up. “We put our credit card down, so make sure you two order some dessert.” My mom wrapped her shawl around her.

Um…I don’t think so
. “No. I’m full.” I tried to stand up but my mom put her hand on my shoulder, making me stay. “William will give you a ride home. Won’t you, dear?”

“Sure.” He gave her a light smile.

“Great.” She patted my shoulder. “You two have fun.”

I hated my parents. I didn’t even feel bad for saying it this time.

When we were alone, the awkwardness set in.

“I’m sorry about my parents,” I said. “They are crazy.”

He ignored the comment. “You’re very beautiful.” His heated eyes bore into mine.

My natural response was to say thank you, but that would encourage his behavior.

“I’m surprised your parents are trying to find you a boyfriend. You can have whatever guy you want, I’m sure.”

“But I’m not looking for a guy—which doesn’t make my parents happy.”

“Well, you should make an exception for me. I come from a wealthy and prestigious family.”

Don’t care.

“I’m going to be the recipient of a billion dollar industry in a few years.”

Still don’t care.

“I’m good company and respectful.”

Not really.

“And I think we’d be a good match.”

“Based on what?” I blurted. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know everything I need to know.”