Chapter 7

A slow song is playing, and her nerves are on major high alert. After the first initial shock of electricity at their touch they settle into a nice slow dance routine. That electric shot went all through her body. She wondered if he felt it too.

For the next couple of hours Liam came over and asked her to dance on every slow song. He finally sat down at their table after the last slow song they just danced to.

“So, Liam, how old are you?” Maddi asked.

“I’m 30.” He replied.

“What do you do for a living?” Gabbi wanted to know.

“I own my own business.” Liam smiled.

Not to be outdone, Caleb chimed in. “What kind of business?”

Liam grinned. “This bar and a couple others.”

Rayna is impressed. “Wow you own this bar? It seems to do really well.”

Maddi asked, “So you’re pretty well off, money wise?”

“I can’t complain.” He replied.

And then Caleb, not to be outdone by his sister says, “So what are your intentions towards my sister?”

“O M G Caleb! You do not ask that! Liam don’t answer. That was way out of line. OK everyone, enough with the Spanish Inquisitions! I’ve just met Liam. We’re not dating, or anything so enough is enough!” Rayna retorted embarrassed.

Everyone goes back to joking and laughing. Eventually they get Liam out on the dance floor to some faster songs. Rayna is impressed, as he's actually pretty good.

“You’ve been holding out on me Liam. You got moves.” Rayna remarked while raising an eyebrow and giving him her smirk.

Liam blushed. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”

After a while the dancing gets more intimate. Liam and Rayna do a little dirty dancing. She’s glanced a few times at Mary. If looks could kill, she’d been a dead woman long ago! Finally, she decides to just totally ignore her and enjoy herself.

“How’d you get to be so good at dancing?” Liam asked.

“It’s what I do for a living. I own my own dance studio. I do choreography and have teachers like Gabbi and Caleb who teach dance. Maddi helps me with the choreography clients also.” She explained.

“Well that explains a lot. But aren’t you a little young to own your own dance studio?” He asked.

“No. How young do you think I am?” She asked.

“Hmm,at least 21, otherwise Karl wouldn't have served you. So 21 maybe 22?” He guessed.

Rayna burst out laughing. “Are you serious? O M G are you trying to flatter me or something?”

He blushed. “No, why are you laughing?”

“Do you like hitting on 21-year-olds? Seeing as you’re 30?” She laughed.

“No, you’d be the first.” Liam smiled.

“Well then, let me save you from being a dirty old man.” Rayna winked. “I’m actually 27.”

Liam laughed out loud. “Dirty old man?” He raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Oh yeah, really!” She laughed again.

“There is no way you’re 27!” He said disbelieving.

“Ask your friend the bartender. He carded me the first night I came in here. Something about not losing his job over a pretty young thing.” Rayna replied.

“Yes, even though he’s my best friend, I’d fire him immediately if he served under aged drinkers. He’s very good at spotting fake ids also. Very good at telling if people are lying about their age.” Liam replied.

“It’s a family thing.” Rayna said.

“You’ve lost me?” Liam responded.

“Looking young. My mom, grandpa, etc. from her side of the family. They all never looked their age. My great grandfather was 105 when he passed away and looked maybe 70.” Rayna explained.

“Everyone always thought my mom was my sister. Of course, she was barely 16 when she had me. And up until she died, we still got confused as sisters instead of mother and daughter.” She continued.

“I’m sorry to hear about your mom. How long ago?” He asked.

“I was 18, so 9 years ago now. Her and dad were involved in a major car crash. Several people lost their lives that day.” Rayna responded sadly.

“Double tragedy. I am very sorry. So how old are your siblings?” Liam asked.

“Maddi and Caleb are 25. They were only 16 when it happened. I had to change my college last minute to stay and raise them until they finished high school. But it was not a sacrifice.” She explained.

“Please don’t say that. Everyone always does and pities me for it. It was family responsibility. I never thought twice about it.” Rayna replied.

"Wait so they are twins?" Liam asked.

"Yes, fraternal twins." Rayna confirmed.

Rayna looks up behind Liam after she replied. This should be interesting. Mary is heading their way. She’s wondering if she should start praying now?

"Heads up." Rayna muttered.

Liam heard and raised his brows. And she nodded over his shoulder. However he didn't have time to figure out what she was meaning.

“Rayna it’s been way too long girlfriend.” Mary smiled.

Mary is wearing a blue satin shirt that sags in the middle showing her cleavage halfway to her belly button and a tight very short silver skirt that barely covers her butt cheeks. Rayna wonders how desperate she is. Mary sits down beside Liam.

An uneasiness hits Rayna. She guess’s Mary is mad because Liam is talking to her and not Mary. But that’s just too bad. Sorry “girlfriend” she thinks, but I can’t make him talk to you or like you instead of me.

“Guys, this is Mary. Mary this is Maddi my sister, Caleb my brother, and Gabbi my bff.” Rayna introduced.

“Nice to meet you.” Replied Maddi.

“What’s up?” Caleb said.

“Mary, girlfriend.” Gabbi smiled her cocky grin being sarcastic.

“Nice to meet you all.” Mary responded.

Every time Mary talks, she leans over into Liam and sometimes rests her hand on his arm. Liam is getting really uncomfortable over the whole thing. He scoots his chair closer to Rayna. Then Mary scoots her chair closer to Liam.

That goes on a couple times. Finally, Liam mentions loving the song currently playing and asks Rayna to dance. He doesn’t give her time to answer before getting to his feet and pulling her onto the dance floor with him.

“Thanks for rescuing me! I don’t think I could take another minute of her hanging on to me.” Liam smirked.

“Why Liam, do you not like a lady putting her hands on you?” Rayna asked raising one brow.

Liam laughed, “She’s no lady. But if said lady, was you, well I’d sit there all night and let you put your hands wherever you wanted to put them on me.” He laughed again.

Rayna blushed then swats him playfully on his chest. Liam laughed at her obvious embarrassment over his comment.

"Did I embarrassed you?" Liam asked.

“Maybe.” Rayna replied.

“Why be embarrassed? You know you feel this between us too, want it too.” Liam smiled.