When We Kiss by Darcy Burke Page A

After all he’d done for Alex, the least the bastard could do was be here when Liam finally came home. Except that would’ve ensured Liam never did. It was a damn Catch-22.
    Liam took a drink of his Bloody Mary. “Sure. I’ll hang out for a few days, will that work?”
    â€œWhat about your precious real-estate empire?” Kyle asked.
    â€œBoyd can manage things. It’s not like I’m going to be on Mars.”
    Tori speared him with a piercing stare. “Of course not, but your job has always been your primary excuse for staying away. I’m with Kyle—this is suspicious. I’m also very glad, regardless of the reason. It’ll be good to have you here, even if it’s only temporary.” She moved toward him and kissed his cheek. “Welcome home, Liam.” Then she flashed him a smile and left the kitchen.
    â€œI’m speechless,” Kyle said. His lips twisted into a smile. “Savor it, because it doesn’t happen very often.” He followed Tori out.
    Aubrey cleared her throat. “I want to be very clear. I have no interest in you beyond this business with your family. I’ve moved on.”
    Liam shrugged off his siblings’ doubt. “I saw that last night. How’s your lumberjack boyfriend?”
    She crossed her arms but still held her glass. “Lumberjack?”
    Liam shrugged. He noted she didn’t question his use of boyfriend and tried to ignore the discomfort that caused—like an itch in the middle of his back that he couldn’t reach. “He had a beard.”
    She rolled her eyes. “He’s an accountant.”
    â€œI remember. I imagine he’s pretty stiff.”
    She offered a half-smile. “In all the ways that count.”
    Her words left him ice cold. He cursed at himself, pissed that he’d somehow forgotten that despite the heat of their kiss last night, she’d sent him packing. He’d endeavor not to forget that again.
    â€œI’m glad. You deserve someone who will treat you well.”
    She uncrossed her arms. “I do. Thanks.” She turned, and he could’ve sworn he heard her whisper, “I’m sorry it couldn’t have been you.”
    He was, too.

Chapter Four
    A UBREY BLINKED AT her computer screen. Her eyes were tired. But she’d worked straight through lunch on this brief and was nearing the end—time for an afternoon snack break, at least.
    She opened her desk drawer and rummaged around for a protein bar, then remembered she’d also brought an apple. And coffee. Yes, coffee would be required in order to power through to the end. She’d come in at seven this morning, but then that’s usually how she started her workweek. She loved her job and for the most part was eager to jump back in after recharging over the weekend.
    Before the coffee, however, she’d take a quick look at her e-mail, which she’d been ignoring while working on the brief. She launched the program as she took a bite of the golden delicious. Immediately a name jumped out at her.
    The brief from Frank Sutherlin, the opposing attorney on the Archer land-use matter, had landed in her inbox two hours ago. Her clock for the response had officially started ticking.
    She’d known it was coming, of course, but she’d half expected Sutherlin to ask for an extension. He’d certainly done enough to drag things out while they were agreeing to the record for the appeal. He’d ensured what should’ve taken a few weeks had taken months, which had delayed the Archers’ opening of their project. The event space and the restaurant were ready, just sitting empty as they waited for the zoning variance to be resolved, and the hotel would be ready in six to eight weeks. She only hoped this would all be over by then—and that it would result in a win. If it didn’t . . . She couldn’t think about that. Not only would all of their hard work be for