Page 14 of Love in Times of Contempt

"We're flying to Canada in a few weeks," she replied through a smile. "We're booked for several interviews and meetings. The premiere is on our third night there." She sighed. "I'm still in shock that we're going to be premiering in Toronto!"

Ana reached for his hand on her leg, and he interlocked their fingers together.

"I still think changing agents was the right thing for both of us," Ana continued, gazing at Liam. "Jen is awesome with you and mine, Reagan, is great too… but I have to admit, Coulton did set me up for great things, when he offered me that job with you. It would have taken me a long time or creating an outstanding film to get to Toronto before all this happened."

Liam frowned. "Coulton had an idea, but it wasn't out of generosity. He wanted to keep me working, and you were the right solution at the time."

"That's true. And it was Jen and Reagan who managed to get us at the Toronto Festival—"

"And your own great work," Liam interrupted, squeezing her hand and grinned at her.

She gave him one of her glorious smiles and leaned in to kiss him, right as a knock at the door caught everyone's attention.

"That must be Alex," his dad said.

Liam hated the way his stomach dropped, taking away the glow of the moment.

Chapter Five

ANA'S NERVES CALMED DOWN once she started chatting with Liam's parents. She studied them as they cooked, fascinated by the traces of Liam she found in them. Liam had his dad's height and general shape, and his mom's eyes and smile. They also seemed to prefer casual conversation, rather than the questions her parents shot at Liam when she took him to meet them.

Liam had been his supportive self, sparking gratitude and the appearance of a grin on her face. The knock on the door interrupted the moment. Alex's arrival seemed to cause the shuttering of Liam's eyes, his energy hiding away inside of him somewhere.

Tension appeared on Liam's lips. Memories of little things he'd shared with her about Alex came back and, as curious as she was to meet her boyfriend's brother, her loyalties were clear. If conflict broke out between them, Ana would step to Liam's side.

Steve opened the door and, after a brief hug between them, Alex made his way into the kitchen.

Liam had told her they looked relatively similar and she could see it. They were about the same height, although Alex's form was of long muscles, rather than developed like Liam's. His hair shone at a darker shade and, as he came closer and stood in front of Liam and her, she could see his eyes were hazel, rather than the bright green of Liam's eyes.

Alex stared at Ana and, if her gut was right, that was at least in part because he meant to ignore Liam. Ana stole a glance at her boyfriend, gauging the situation; he had a slight frown but seemed expectant more than anything.

Ana turned back to Alex and gave him a friendly wave.

"Hi, Alex. I'm Ana," she said.

Alex put his hands in his pockets and nodded. "Hello, Ana." To her surprise, his voice carried a deeper bass than Liam's. He watched her intensely. "I don't think I've met one of Liam's girlfriends since college. I've seen some in magazine covers at the grocery store till before, of course, but I think you're the first one he's brought home."

Ana squinted at him, assessing the best response to the indirect, subtle dig. Undecided, she glanced at Liam, who stared at Alex with the same expression as before, and Julia, whose eyes jumped between her sons.

Ana turned back to Alex, her gaze on him steady. "I'm glad all of our schedules finally aligned. Liam talks about his family often; I'm happy to be meeting you all."

"Yeah, we finally made it happen," Liam said next to her. There was a degree of hardness in his voice.

Alex stood still except for his eyes, which shifted to Liam. "Hello. It's been a while."

"How are you?" Liam asked.

Air hung heavily around them. Ana checked with Julia again; they locked eyes briefly.

"Fine." Alex turned and walked away, turning around the island in silent dismissal of Liam and giving his mom a hug. "Hi, mom."

Ana tracked him across the kitchen, with a confusing mix of uncertainty and irritation lodging in her stomach. She was pretty sure Julia whispered something in Alex' ear, but she didn't hear what it was.

"Okay, I will," Alex replied, grumbly and low. "How's work, brother dear?"

His voice had turned brighter, louder, and fake.

Julia frowned and shook her head. "Please, Alex." She turned to Ana. "I'm so sorry. These two have always known how to push each other's buttons. We were never able to get them out of the habit."