“You know, it’s family business. I can’t just tell
you.”
Kai patted him on the back.
“Just know that she’s a big deal.”
Liam went quiet.
“So, she had her reasons?”
“…” Kai just laughed.
“Did you even listen to a word I said?!”
He had never met such a hopeless case.
10
The next day, I staggered out of my office.
My new story had exploded online. The problem
was, I didn’t have a single thing written.
My editor was after me, but I didn’t want to say
I didn’t have an outline. So I rushed from my
house to the movie studio.
The staff was nicer this morning, thanks to Kai.
While Buddy was off on set, I felt so tired. I
heard someone call me.
“Ginny, come sleep over here.”
“Okay.”
My brain was too tired to worry about why
Liam’s voice sounded so nice. I just collapsed
on a lounge chair and fell asleep.
I woke up in the afternoon with a man’s down
jacket over me.
“You’re awake?” I heard Liam.
I saw him feeding Buddy.
Wait, where did he get that food?
“Buddy, come to mom.”
Buddy ignored me.
Liam had bought all of the best cat food
brands. Buddy was loving it.
“Buddy, say bye to your mom,” Liam said,
giving me a look. “Dad’s got all the food you
need.”
!!!
My face went red.
I asked, “Liam, are you making fun of me?”
“What?”
He had this mischievous look in his eyes.
“I’m his dad in the story, right? You’re the
mom, deal with it.”
“I looked away.
For some reason, it seemed like Liam had
chilled out.
Liam didn’t say anything when he found out I’d
be around the set for a month.
Since my new book was about the
entertainment industry, I decided to ask Liam if
I could be his assistant. You know, for research.
He looked like he was going to say no but then
raised an eyebrow.
“So, the main guy is a CEO?”
I shook my head.
“No, he’s a simp.”
Liam looked at me.
I added quickly. “I mean, not like you’re a
simp!”
Liam was both mad and amused.
11
Over the next month, I showed up every day
with my cat.
Liam spent some time with Buddy since his
character needed to bond with the cat.
It didn’t take long before Buddy and Liam
became best buds.
Now, everyone at the studio was used to seeing
Liam in a lounge chair looking at his script with
the cat sleeping on him.
Ginger Buddy had won over the director and
everyone else.
The last day of Buddy’s filming was on New
Year’s Eve. They even threw him a little farewell
party.
I had a bit too much to drink that night.
Liam was busy the next day with an event, so
he got a day off from the studio.
His driver picked him up, then offered to drop
me off as well.
The car was warm, and Buddy fell asleep in
Liam’s arms. Liam was leaning back with his
eyes closed.
I opened the window and let the cold air hit my
face, cooling me down.
Then Liam said, “Close it, it’s been cold lately.
Don’t get sick.”
The driver added, “Yeah, this winter has been
crazy. I think the last time I saw a winter like
this was maybe six years ago. We had so much
snow back then…”
I tried not to react.
When we got to my apartment, Buddy wouldn’t
get off Liam.
I went to get him, but Liam was getting out.
“Let me walk you up, you had too much to
drink.”
It was so cold, but I felt so warm.
I looked at Liam and nodded.
But then he left after he took Buddy to his cat
bed.
I was sad when he turned away. I was about to
grab him when I thought about the past.
He was turning when I grabbed his sleeve.
Liam looked back, confused.
“Uh,” I stuttered. “Can you, like, sing me a
song?”
Liam had been a singer. But no one had asked
him to sing for her in such a way.
Liam laughed, then he squatted down to look
me in the eyes.
“Ginny, do you know how much I charge per
minute?”
My drunk brain was confused. I said, “Don’t
worry, I’ve got money…”
“Oh, right. You’re loaded,” Liam said.
I stared at him, wondering how he knew.
“I’ll do whatever you want,” he added. “What’s the price tag?”
I was being lured in by his good looks. “I’ll give
you anything I have.”
“Anything?” He asked, “Even an Oscar?”
“Well, that’s gonna be hard.” I said, “But it’s
not impossible.”
I guess I could ask my brother.
“Ha,” Liam chuckled. “Just kidding.”
He looked at me with so much love in his eyes.
“It was a lie.”
