Page 51 of Traded

“Jonas wants you with him,” Liam says quietly. I pull my head back to see his face. “He’s trying to work this out too. You can go to him, Rosie. Don’t hide away in the kitchen.”

I didn’t think it was that obvious. He cocks an eyebrow. “Youhatedoing the dishes.”

I do. I really do.

The tightness in my chest eases a fraction. “Okay.”

“Good.” He keeps touching me. “She’s not going to be in our rooms tonight.”

It eases alot. I jerk back. “She’s not?”

Liam looks awkward, and I wait as the tension grows again. “Remember what I said about doing what’s best?”

Slowly, I nod.

“You said you trusted me.”

I really don’t like where this is going.

“I’m putting a bedroom ban in place.” He steadies me when I rock back. “Temporarily, for both of you. Nobody needs to be worrying about who’s sleeping where. For now at least.”

What?

It feels as if the room pushes in on me, crushing my chest. “Is this because of me? A punishment?”

He takes too long to answer. “No,” he says finally. “It’s to help you both settle with each other. And us. This way, everyone knows where they stand.”

I don’t get to be with them. I yank myself away from him, pushing my hair back. “This sure ashellfeels like a punishment to me!”

He folds his arms. “Don’t go complaining to Carter about this, Rosie. I’m warning you. It’s my decision.”

And he’s not going to budge. I can see it in his face, and my heart thuds unevenly. “Not at all?”

How does that even work?“What about my nest?”

“None of us in the nest either,” he says gently. “I’ll review it after the Midwest Swing, see where we are.”

“That’sweeksaway!” He’s out of his mind. There’s no way I can go six weeks without them. My cheeks heat. “You can’t be serious.”

Liam’s head tilts. “If I lift it for you, then I have to lift it for Lauren too.”

That stops me.

“You see?” He leans in and kisses my forehead as I stare at nothing. “The alternative is worse. The season will wipe us out anyway. You won’t notice much difference from normal.”

Wanna bet?

Every choice feels like the worst one. He runs a hand down my arm. “Jonas is waiting. Go on.”

At his nudge, I turn and wipe off my hands.

“I need to change out of this dress.” The words are biting. “Am I allowed to do that?”

His fingers dance up my side. “Don’t tempt me. You know I like it when you ask permission.”

But his words are too close to home for me to laugh at them.

Not tonight.