Page 23 of Miss Understanding

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know. Maybe fifty. I guess to be safe, figure seventy-five.”

“What time is the funeral? And what are the arrangements?”

“It’s at eleven o’clock, so I guess lunch-type food. Maybe heavy appetizers. What do you mean by arrangements?”

“I mean is there a gravesite gathering after the service and then the reception? Or would the reception be straight after? It gives me an idea of timing.”

“It’ll be straight after. He’ll be cremated.”

“Do you have a specific food in mind?”

“I could care less what is served. Anyhow, I could use some time. I’ll have the next round of edits to you in a couple of hours.”

I was being dismissed. Liam was back to rubbing his temples. I conjured up some sympathy and reminded myself not everyone dealt with grief the same way.

* * *

“I’m taking the truck to the store. Need anything?” I called up the stairs two hours later.

No answer. So I climbed up and peeked into the office.

Liam was sound asleep with his head on his desk. God, he almost looked human and way nicer in slumber. And way more handsome with his features softened.

I shook my head at the thought and backed out of the room quietly to descend the stairs. I left a note, then grabbed the keys and went out the door.

The Food Lion was a hopping place. Probably because of the impending weather alert calling for snow. I only had a few things to get there, which included wine, wine, and another bottle of wine. Considering it was Saturday night and I was stuck with my boss, well, I needed it. I also needed some recommendations regarding catering. Where better to get them than at the local supermarket? I asked Peggy, the same checkout lady I’d chatted with the last time I’d been here. She seemed to know everyone in town.

“Catering in this immediate area isn’t great. I recommend getting someone from Blacksburg. It’s ninety minutes away, but most will deliver for an extra fee.”

“Thanks, Peggy.” I guess I knew what I’d be doing the rest of the afternoon. Searching online for reputable caterers. The last thing I wanted was to screw up the food for my boss's father’s funeral.

I returned to the house in a little over an hour and was unlocking the front door when it was yanked open. I almost lost my balance at the unexpected action. Looking up, I saw Liam’s pinched face.

“Where the hell were you?”

“Uh, at the store.”

“You don’t get paid to go to the store. I needed you here, and you weren’t.”

“Really? Did you need me while you were napping? Because last time I saw you, you were facedown on the desk.”

His entire neck turned red. “I was only out for a moment.”

“Sure. Sure. What did you need?”

His face softened as though he’d realized he’d been overreacting. “I need you to make these edits and send the document back to me.”

After putting my two bags down on the table, I took the paper from his hands. “Okay.”

“What did you get at the store?”

“Not nearly enough wine.”

* * *

Although it was nearing eight o’clock in the evening, we were both still working. This time in the living room with files spread out everywhere. Up until this point, I would’ve argued everything I needed to do for him could’ve been done while I remained in the LA office. But as I went through documents to highlight name references, I knew this case was better served with us both working late and together. I also recognized it was easier to go through papers than to try to stay organized with electronic copies. Again, not something I would admit.

Dinner had consisted of Parmesan-crusted pork chops and wilted spinach. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a man hoover down his meal as quickly as Liam had. But again, he hardly said anything. Definitely no compliments.