Can't Let You Go

***TALLY/HONEY***

"This is a mistake." I smooth my hands over the creases in the silk sheath dress that I'd worn to work. "Can we just leave now? I don't think they saw us. Crap, nope, they saw us. Look at her standing there. How am I supposed to sit at a table with her? Can I fake food poisoning after one bite of bread? I bet she doesn't eat bread. She can't look like that and still eat bread. And you and Ashton have iron stomachs. Nothing makes you sick. I think--"

"I think you're rambling. It will be fine. I am right here with you." Liam gives my hand a light squeeze.

Directly across the table from his seat, Ashton holds the chair out for me which means Liam is seated across from Emily and her ample cleavage. I should have checked his face when she was standing up and her full body was visible in a dress nearly opposite of the one I wore with its low-cut front and high hem.

As if she read my thoughts, Emily says, "That's a very nice dress, Honey, simple and plain, it really suits you." She shows her sparkling smile, faking sincerity to cover her attempt to knock my confidence.

I am not keeping score, I am letting go.

"It's my favorite color on her," Liam says with his own sparkling smile, "it brings out the topaz striations in her eyes."

The particulars of my eye color have never come up and I don't own anything else this shade, which means he must have said this intentionally. So, if I were keeping score, I'd be glad to have Liam's quick wit as my goaltender.

"I hope you don't mind, I ordered two bottles of wine. One white, one red," Ashton explains as the wine steward delivers them both.

"I shouldn't drink, I have work tomorrow." And I'm not sure I can watch my words around them if I'm drunk, especially if Emily keeps up her "compliments."

In the style of a bad impersonation of a breathy Marilyn Monroe, Emily speaks. "Well, I'm drinking. It's cold out and wine gets me... hot."

Of course it does Emily, of course it does.

Liam leans over and whispers in my ear, "A glass or two might help you relax a bit. If you start to mouth off, I'll sweep you out of here. Over my shoulder if I have to. Now smile sweetly and turn to face me."

I do as instructed and he surprises me with a quick peck on the lips. Point. When the white wine is open, he indicates to the steward to pour a glass of it for me. Ashton also has white, Liam and Emily have the red.

"A toast," Ashton raises his glass toward the center of the table, "to the first bottle of wine shared between friends, old and new. May it not be the last."

Ignoring the center of the table, Liam extends his arm towards only me. "This is only the second time we've had grape wine together," he gently touches his glass to mine.

Point.

"Living in Korea, so many other types of wine and alcohol are available." He takes a sip. "Nice choice, Ashton." He sips again. "Oh, wait, I think we had wine at the first Thanksgiving meal we hosted together, so this would be the third."

Solid evidence that we're a solid couple. Point. "No, that was bokbunja."

He laughs, "I don't remember the wine, but I definitely remember what happened after." Hand on my thigh, he looks at me with warmth shining on his face.

He may only be laying it on thick for the show, but I also remember what happened after - our first kiss. I feel my cheeks flush. 

Point.