Chapter 133 I want you to come with me to the anniversary party.
Her green eyes lock on me the second I speak. They look just like Liam’s, but colder. There is something in them that makes my skin react in a way I do not like.
“Do I know you?” she asks, like I have already annoyed her just by opening my mouth.
Great. I should have kept quiet and done my job.
“Um… I am Sophie. Sophie Bennett,” I say, forcing the words out. “Maybe you do not remember me, but..”
“Oh.” She lifts a brow. “Right. Sophie.”
Her gaze moves over me from head to toe, slow and judging, like I am something she is sizing up. It makes my face heat up, but not in a good way.
“I will bring your water, Ms. Griswold,” I say quickly, hoping she stops staring.
“Wait.” She raises her hand. “You work here?”
“Yes.”
“But why?” She leans back, still looking at me like she does not understand. “You and your mother do not need money anymore, do you? Since… you have Alexander now.”
I know exactly what she means.
She is saying my mum stole Mr. Thorne. That my mum married for money. And that is not true.
When my mum met him, his marriage was already falling apart. Ms. Griswold barely even lived at home. They were only still together because of legal issues. Once they sorted everything, they ended it. That was when my mum and Mr. Thorne started seeing each other.
Yes, my mum changed after marrying into money. Anyone would. But she did not marry him just for that.
So hearing this woman twist it like that pisses me off.
I tighten my grip on the tray. “I am saving for college myself,” I say, making sure she hears every word.
“By working in a coffee shop?” A small smile appears on her lips. “You might need more hours if you want to pay your fees.”
I lift my chin and look straight at her. “Thanks for the advice. If that is all, I should get back to work.”
“Actually, no.” Her voice turns more forceful. “You are not busy, are you? Sit down. Tell me about the anniversary party.”
“I have other customers waiting,” I say. “So if you will excuse me—”
“Oh, please.” She gives me a look that feels like pity. “You serve coffee. How busy can you really be?”
I clench my jaw, about to snap back, when the door opens behind me.
I do not even need to turn fully to know who it is.
Liam walks in.
So this is who she was waiting for.
Perfect. Now I want to leave even more.
“Where have you been?” she asks him. “You took your time.”
“I had a call,” he says, pulling out a chair and sitting down. Then he looks at me. “Hey, Sophie. Did not know you were working today.”
Like hell he did not.
“So, as I was saying, when do you think is a good time to—”
“Mom, stop,” Liam cuts in, not even letting her finish. “I am not meeting that girl you picked. That is final.”
I blink, caught off guard.
A girl?
She is setting him up?
Marriage maybe?
I knew something like this would happen one day, but I did not expect it this soon.
I hate that my mind starts running with it. What kind of girl would she be? Probably pretty. Rich. The kind that fits into their world without trying.
The kind that looks right standing next to him.
I push the thought away, annoyed at myself.
His mother’s face hardens. “Final? Watch your tone, Liam. You will give me a proper rLiam. I am not even asking you to marry her. Just take her to the anniversary party.”
“I am not your fucking puppet,” he says, his voice full of attitude.
I almost admire him for that.
“And I already have someone to go with,” he adds.
Her eyes narrow. “And who is that?”
Something about the way he says it makes my chest feel tight.
Before I can step back or leave, he points at me.
“I am going with Sophie.”
The room goes quiet for a second, but the way his mother looks at me is anything but calm. It makes it hard to breathe.
“You have lost your mind,” she snaps. “Take her? To that party? She is nothing but…”
“She is Dad’s stepdaughter,” Liam cuts in. “She is my sister. And she is my friend. I would rather go with her than some stranger you picked.”
He stands up, looking down at her. “And do not talk about her like that in front of me.”
That was bold. And kind of… impressive. Before I can even process it, he walks over, grabs my hand, and pulls me along. “Come on.”
Next thing I know, we are out of the room, leaving his mother behind. I follow him downstairs, still trying to make sense of everything. He keeps walking like he plans to take me outside, but I stop.
“Wait.” I frown at him. “What was that about?”
“What do you mean?” he asks, turning back.
“Are you using me again to piss her off?” I ask, watching him closely.
His expression changes right away. “No. Why do you always think the worst of me?”
“Because you have a history,” I reply, crossing my arms. “And you knew I work here. So why meet her here?”
He lets out a long breath. “I wanted to see you, alright? You have been avoiding me.”
“And?” I ask, holding his gaze.
His eyes meet mine, serious now.
“And I want you to come with me to the anniversary party.”