Page 181 of The Music That Ties Us
Liam kicked the toe of his Cole Haan’s against the cement floor. “I thought I had.”
“Have you heard anything from her?”
Shaking his head, he said, “No. Not since…” His words trailed off, like a switch had been flipped. Liam’s body suddenly went rigid and froze. I looked up to find his face pale, completely ashen. I let go of Damien’s hand and placed them on his shoulders.
“Liam? Are you okay?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “I haven’t heard from Belle yet, but I suspect I’m about to.”
“What…”
I followed his gaze and found a woman with dark brown eyes and sandy brown hair staring back at us.
I’d seen pictures of Belle, but I’d never met her in person before.
But I realized without a doubt that it was her.
She wore a black form-fitting dress that stopped just below the knee under a peacoat and black strappy heels.It was the middle of May, and her coat seemed a bit superfluous.I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she was.
She stepped toward us, her gaze never leaving Liam.
“Hi,” Belle said as she cocked her head to the side and smiled a confident, devious smile.
It took Liam a second to answer. He shoved his fists into his jean’s pockets and stood at his full height. His breathing was low and even, and if I didn’t know him like I did, I wouldn’t have noticed that he was completely rattled.
Liam had always been the master of his emotions. He wore a mask for everyone to see, never letting his feelings or the situation get the best of him.
But I saw that mask slip just a little.
He cleared his throat. “Well, this is a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure, Belle?”
“Do I have to have an excuse to come see you?” Belle practically purred.
“Since I served you divorce papers months ago and you have yet to sign them, yes, I’d say you do.”
“Aw,” she reached out and touched his arm. “Don’t be like that.”
There was a dull roar in my ears as I watched this psychopath touch one of my best friends. How dare she touch him after how badly she hurt him. I moved to step between them, but Damien caught my hand. He looked at me, knowing exactly what I wanted to do, and gave it a squeeze.
Hold back. It’s not your fight,his eyes said.
And he was right.
I let out a deep breath and squeezed his hand back.
But I was ready if Liam needed me.No matter what, I had his back.
“There is no other way to be, Belle. You’re the one that left.” Liam removed his arm from her grasp. “So, what can I do for you?”
Belle scoffed before pulling a manilla envelope from her jacket like a magician. “Since you want to jump to business.” She shoved the folder into Liam’s chest. “I’m not signing these papers, and I’m suing you and your company. For defamation and theft.”
Liam’s gaze traveled down her body and back up. “You’re suing me? That’s funny, considering you stole my designs and have the audacity to show up here wearing one of those pieces.”
A cruel smile spread across her lips. “This one was always Asher’s favorite. He just had to have it.”
“You? Or the dress?”
“Both.”
