Chapter Eleven

      Anna was pacing the yard as the last of the evening sun hunkered down for the night. This wasn’t how she had expected the team event evening to go. She hadn’t meant to make a scene and was annoyed with herself for reacting, although the truth was she wasn’t able to control her emotions that easily. It must have been Liam who had written the question, which had freaked her out. His attempt to wind her up, no doubt. At least now she knew what she was dealing with.

      The door clicked open and she spun around to see Liam’s face peering round the edge.

      ‘Can I have a word?’ he asked, still using the door like a shield.

      Anna crossed her arms in front of her. ‘What about?’ She’d give him a chance to come clean before she tore him to shreds.

      Liam gestured for them to walk a bit further away, perhaps anticipating an explosive response. ‘You okay?’

      ‘Fine. Why?’

      Liam tilted his head to one side and scrunched up his features. ‘I’m really sorry about the question.’

      Anna pulled back her shoulders. She was right – of course it had been him. A flash of temper and hurt coursed through her. ‘I didn’t think you’d stoop that low.’

      ‘Hey, you have to believe me. I thought of the question before I pulled a name out. I just went with something generic: what did you do at university? I didn’t think you’d think … You know. Sorry, it wasn’t meant to upset you.’

      Anna didn’t believe him for a second but she also didn’t want him to think he’d got to her. ‘Okay. Apology accepted. Let’s go back inside.’ The breeze was making her shiver.

      Liam touched her arm to stop her. ‘Are you sure you’re okay with me taking this job?’

      ‘Yes. It’s fine.’ Anna spoke deliberately as if addressing someone a bit simple.

      Liam gave a brief headshake and Anna straightened her back. ‘Because every time I look up you’re staring at me and I wondered if you still had … feelings. It’s quite understandable if you do. I mean I—’

      ‘No, Liam. I don’t still have feelings for you.’ Only murderous ones, she thought. Although saying it out loud had her brain ticking double time. It was hard to erase all they had shared; it was like their entire history had been buried underneath all the anger and sadness. Did she still care for him?

      ‘Right. Because I want you to know that I still love you, Anna.’

      She stepped back as if physically stunned by the statement. A million questions swamped her brain and she tried to order them. ‘What about Tabitha?’

      ‘She isn’t you.’

      It was a cheesy line and it should have made her loathe him a little more but there was a voice in her head saying: ‘He’s not the worst man on the planet. You invested a lot in him. Is it worth giving things another go?’ She hated that voice but it was a hard one to ignore.

      The door opened and out strode