Page 20 of Love in Times of Contempt

She kissed his clavicle and moved to his side, gentle in their decoupling.

"I don't need poetry." She watched him turn to his side again, putting them right back to the same position in which their evening had begun. "As long as you love me."

He sighed. "That I do."

"We managed to keep quiet, right?"

"I think so. If not, it's just Alex."

"Just Alex?" She chuckled. "Something tells me he'd happily say something crude to your parents about it, if he heard us."

He grinned. "So? We're adults."

"Ew. That's all."

He laughed. "C'mere."

He straightened the arm closest to the mattress out, offering her his shoulder. She scooted forward, happy for the cuddle. With his free arm, he turned off the side lamp.

With slowing, whispered words, they went to sleep in each other's arms.

Chapter Six

AFTER TAKING TURNS IN the shower and getting ready for the day— Liam had almost jumped Ana when she came into the room smelling all fresh, the scent of her shampoo filling the space, but she'd deterred him— Ana and Liam joined the family for brunch.

"I hope you slept well," Dad said as he and Mom moved around the kitchen. Liam approached Mom and kissed her cheek.

"We did," Ana replied from nearby. "Can I help with cutting up fruit?"

She settled by the island to help while Liam made sure everyone had coffee. He focused on setting up the table next, keeping up with the easy conversation around him.

He took a break to sip from his mug. "I know my room looks different and it's not the same bed, but sleeping at home hits different. We almost slept in."

Alex came into the kitchen, a half-frown already in place. "Might have had to do with staying up. You two made noise until late. I heard laughing across the wall."

Liam tried to stop the automatic clenching of his jaw at the sight of his brother, and arched an eyebrow instead. "That's all you heard, though, right?"

Ana turned to Liam with eyes open wide. It brought humor back into him; he held back the rueful smile it provoked and hid it behind a smirk. Alex, on the other hand, stared back at Liam with derision.

"What?" Liam put as much innocence in his voice as he could. His parents were doing their best to ignore them, but he didn't want to push it. "She snores loudly sometimes, but I'm used to it."

"Shush," Ana rolled her eyes and returned to her task.

Alex arched an eyebrow and turned away, dismissing Liam with a scowl and getting coffee for himself.

"Breakfast is ready," his mom said. "Let's eat."

They all sat around the kitchen nook to share the meal. The sound of clinking cutlery and the smell of warm food enveloped Liam, and he dug into it with complete abandon.

"So how are things progressing with the production company?" His mom asked.

"We hired someone," Liam replied. "Her name is Ely. She's Ana's best friend and has been in the not-for-profit area for a long time. She'll be in charge of the Social Impact department and I think it'll be a great fit."

"You obviously don't have problems working with people you're close to," his dad said. "Since you're in a relationship and have this company together."

"I actually think that it can be a great thing." Ana buttered a warm bun as she added her thoughts. "So many businesses talk about being a family but it's just… propaganda, if you will. Working with people you're close to— as long as you share the same passion— it makes it real, to think of a company like a team."

"But people still have to have what it takes to do the job." Alex took a sip of his coffee. He hadn't touched the food yet. "If your friend doesn't know what she's doing, passion and friendship won't help."