Page 30 of Grounding the Baker
He nodded.
“I’m not here to talk about your dad. I know he needs time. Sylvie knew he would need time if anything ever happened to her. But if he’s still hiding out here by the spring festival, we’ll have more to say about it.”
“Why are you here, then?”
“You and Austin.”
He felt his face heat immediately. He grabbed his mug and took a slow sip to hide his discomfort.
“Are you going to give me your side of what’s going on between you two?”
“Nothing’s going on. We’re just friends.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. You boys need your heads banging together. Can’t you see you’re perfect for each other?”
Liam wasn’t sure if he was the perfect man for Austin, but the sexy lumberjack certainly was for him. He couldn’t believe when he’d seen Austin in that tight V-neck T-shirt at the gym, his chest hair poking out and a tattoo sleeve– which was his kryptonite. Liam had a thing for tattooed guys, but a tattoo sleeve turned him into a puddle of goo, and Austin had clocked it. Ever since their meeting in the gym, he’d had his sleeves rolled up when he came into the bakery, showing that delicious ink. He was definitely doing it deliberately, because whenever Liam couldn’t help but look at it, Austin would catch him and smile.
“I don’t really think I should talk about Austin behind his back.”
“Liam, just answer one question: do you want that man to pin you down and make you forget your own name, or not?”
It felt like someone had attacked his face with a flamethrower, and he giggled uncontrollably.
“I’ll take that as a yes. So, why are you two still pissing about? Do you know what it’s like to witness you two eye-fucking each other? I needed to lie down and have a cigarette last time.”
Liam burst out laughing. There was no other response to what she was saying. But he was also feeling mortification level ten and didn’t want to have this conversation with her.
“We’ve agreed that now isn’t the right time,” he said once he’d stopped laughing.
“Who said that?”
“I’ve got a lot going on at the moment, Giselle. I’m running the bakery by myself, Dad needs me here with him, and there’s been some changes at work I need to deal with.”
“What changes?”
“They got rid of my boss. I need to go into London tomorrow to meet the new one. I’m sure it’ll be fine, but it’s just another stress. Austin doesn’t need someone like me with all my baggage.”
“Did he say that?”
“No. He said to call him when I’m ready.”
“When did he say that?”
“What is this? Twenty questions?”
“Liam. Answer the question.”
“A week ago. Last Sunday.”
“And you haven’t called him, or sent him a dirty text?”
He spluttered. “Why would I send him a dirty text?”
“It’s what you young ones do, isn’t it? Dick pics and all that.”
His face flamed again. One thing he would not be doing is sending a dick pic to Austin. He’d never be able to look him in the face again.
“When did you learn about this meeting at work?”
