The Neighborhood (A Twin Estates Novel Book 2) Read online

  “I don't know, Liam, but I can guarantee it won't be anything with you. Baby steps,” she reminded him. He pressed his lips together hard, then nodded.

  “That's more than I hoped for,” he finally replied. She managed to smile again.

  “But I'm glad you came, I guess. Tori always gets distracted halfway through these things and I wind up fending for myself,” she said, trying to get back to a place of at least fake-normalcy.

  “Well, we can't have that. How about a drink? I'm dying in this thing,” he said, pulling at his tie and loosening it up. She nodded.

  “That would be great. I'll have -”

  “Pinot gris or margarita, I'm on it.”

  She smiled and watched as he moved across the dance floor. Liam was in his element the most when he was in a crowd. A true people-person. He didn't know a single person in that reception hall, yet he smiled and laughed and talked with everyone as he moved. Twirled the mother-of-the-bride around and even dipped her. Flirted his way past a gaggle of twenty-something-year-old coeds. She wished she had his ease, his self-confidence. She sighed and folded her arms across her chest.

  “It's all an act, you know. He's piss-scared.”

  If Liam's voice had surprised her, then this voice froze her on the spot. She didn't turn her head, and the voice's owner didn't move into her line of sight. She could just barely see him out the corner of her eye.

  “Is there anyone on the planet who didn't crash this frickin' wedding?” she asked through clenched teeth.

  “I wouldn't know. I was invited.”

  Wulf didn't bother moving, and she was finally forced to turn so she could glare at him. He was wearing a black suit, with a crisp white shirt and matching pocket square. He could've been attending a funeral, but it worked for him. He looked severe and devastatingly handsome and more than a little dangerous. He had one hand in his pocket, and the other was holding an old fashioned glass.

  “You got an invitation? How?” Katya asked.

  “Well, I received an envelope in the mail, and inside it was an -”

  “Shut up, you know what I mean. Why would Lauren invite you?” she demanded.

  “Not sure. I sold her husband the building he runs his practice in.”

  “I didn't realize. I guess … that kind of makes sense.”

  “Oh, and I called and asked.”

  “What!?”

  “I called her husband and asked to attend. He was more than happy to oblige,” Wulf clarified.

  “Why would you do that? You don't really know them, and you hate stuff like this,” Katya pointed out. He finally looked down at her, cocking up an eyebrow as he did so.

  “I do? Strange, I've been to lots of weddings. Never realized I hate them.”

  “Shut up.”

  “You say that a lot, but then ask me questions. It's counterproductive.”

  “I swear to god ...”

  “I asked because I knew you'd be here,” he explained. Her jaw dropped for a second, then she regained her composure.

  “How did you know that?” she asked.

  “You told me.”

  “I did?”

  “Yes. You told me about the cake you were designing – it looks amazing, by the way. You're very talented. And then in my apartment, when we talked about our cake fight. You explained who Lauren was. I remembered her name, and it wasn't hard to figure out the rest,” he told her.

  She was shocked. He was putting so much effort into … whatever it was he was trying to do. If he was trying to win her over, he was being kind of a massive dick about it – she preferred Liam's grovel-and-be-sweet method.

  But stalking down the wedding information. Calling Lauren's husband and asking for an invite. Remembering tiny details from a conversation that felt like it had happened a lifetime ago. Oh, and moving his entire life into her apartment building. It was a little insane.

  That's it. I've gone crazy. They drove me crazy and I'm hallucinating all this.

  “But why? Why would you do that? Just because I'm here? What is going on!?” she demanded.

  “You won't see me. This is grossly unfair – I should get my fair say before you cut me off,” he told her.

  Whoa. Déjà vu.

  She glanced across the room. Liam was walking back from the bar, laughing with one of the groomsmen.

  “He's just as culpable as I am,” Wulf said in a careful voice. “Yet apparently more worthy of forgiveness.”

  Katya took a deep breath. She really didn't want to get into it right then and there.

  “I haven't forgiven him,” she replied. “And you know what happened between you and I is leagues different than what happened between him and I.”

  “Do I know that? Because what I remember are promises being made, and then promptly being broken. I remember someone claiming to care about me, and then turning her back on me at the first sign of real trouble.”

  The tidal wave of emotions she felt was unlike anything she'd ever experienced before in her life. Anger and rage and betrayal and hurt and disgust and sadness and … nausea? Did nausea count as an emotion? She wanted to simultaneously punch him in the face and vomit on him. But all she could manage to do was sputter and stare at him until Liam finally reached her side.

  “Hey, they ran out of limes, so it's sweet and sour mix. I hope -”

  Katya didn't wait for Liam to finish. She grabbed the glass out of his hand and downed the margarita-esque concoction in a couple gulps. Then, while gasping for air, she grabbed his drink and polished it off. She gagged on the last gulp. Bourbon, neat. She shoved the empty glass into his hand and worked hard to keep all the liquid in her stomach.

  “Jesus, I hadn't realized you were so thirsty, I would've … oh. Hello, Wulfric.”

  She took deep breaths and glanced between the two men. Wulf had fully turned to face them. Liam stood directly opposite him, and Katya was the only thing separating them. It was a surreal moment. Up until almost three weeks ago, she'd thought they hadn't known each other. She'd only ever seen them together once before, and it had been sort of a crazy moment in time. Lots of screaming and chaos and crying.

  Now she took a moment to take it all in. How much taller Liam was than both of them. How much broader Wulf's shoulders were in comparison. Liam's dark tan next to Wulf's pale complexion. The laid back attitude meeting the control freak. She couldn't have found two more opposite people if she'd tried.

  And yet they found me, somehow.

  “Eden,” Wulf finally replied, using the nickname everyone but Katya used for Liam. The name hung in the air like an icicle and for a tiny moment, she wondered if they would fight over her.

  “Oh god, just give me this!” she snapped, yanking Wulf's glass out of his hand and slamming that drink down, as well. She gagged and coughed almost immediately. Scotch, neat. What was it with these guys? Didn't they know the value of a good mixer!?

  “So how did you get in?” Liam asked, shoving his hands into his pockets. In response, Wulf folded his arms across his chest.

  “I was invited. How did you get in? Service entrance?” he guessed. Liam laughed, but Katya thought it might actually be true.

  “Man, how I've missed these little meetings of ours,” he sighed.

  “Really? I can pencil you into my schedule, if you like. Take my lunches down at the club.”

  “I don't think anyone deserves that kind of punishment.”

  Their words were laced with venom and it was very clear they didn't like each other one bit. Yet the way they spoke to each other, it was still with a comfort and ease that said these were two men who knew each other. Knew each other so well, they knew which buttons to push and when the best time was to push them. She'd been in separate kinds of relationships with both of them, for a couple months, and had never realized that not only were they aware of each other, but they'd had a working relationship for years. Much longer than anything she'd had with either of them.

  And I never ever once figured it out on my own.r />
  “Just stop,” she finally interjected. Liam glanced down at her. Wulf kept staring at him. “It's bad enough that we're all here – can you two not fight like children, just this once?”

  “But I -” Liam started to argue.

  “We still need to -” Wulf tried to say.

  “No. I don't want to hear it. For the next hour, I'm Sally, and you're Harvey and Ted, and the three of us have never met before, got it? I'm pissed off,” she said, then held her hand up when Wulf opened his mouth again. “At both of you. But this day isn't about me, and it sure as shit isn't about either of you. So keep your mouths shut and try to pretend like we all know how to be nice and have fun together, understood?”

  The slightly psychotic edge to her voice must have gotten through, because Liam nodded and Wulf kept his mouth shut. She glared back and forth for a bit, then nodded and looked out onto the dance floor. Both men turned and stared into the crowd, as well. They maintained an awkward silence for maybe a minute before one of them cracked.

  “I meant to say,” Liam spoke. “You look really nice tonight.”

  “Thanks,” she ground out.

  “Yes,” Wulf agreed. “I've always liked you in that dress, though it looked different the last time I saw you in it.”

  Flames raced across her face. She knew exactly what he was talking about, but she refused to respond. There was a brief pause, then on her other side, Liam let out a groan.

  “Shit, I know what you're talking about. God, this is weird. This is so fucking weird.”

  “Yes,” she let out a deep breath and grabbed two champagne flutes off a passing tray. “This is so. Fucking. Weird.”

  And as if it wasn't already weird enough, Tori finally remembered she'd come with her best friend and she wandered over to where they stood.

  “Can you believe that guy?” her roommate was laughing. “He was so drunk! I tried to find you earlier, but you were dancing with some tall guy. I hope … Eden! I, er, ooookaay. I didn't know … holy shit, Wulf is here, too.”

  Katya was busy draining the champagne flutes while her friend spoke. When she finished, she leaned back and set them down on an empty table.

  “Yup, I am fully aware of that.”

  “This is awesome.”

  “Not the word I would've chosen,” Wulf said, surprising everyone. Katya barked out a laugh, then slapped a hand over her mouth. Tori's eyes bounced between everyone in the small group, then she grabbed her friend by the wrist.

  “C'mon, you need to dance with me!”

  Before anyone could argue, Katya was being yanked and pulled onto the dance floor. Some techno song was blaring, driving most of the dancers to their seats. Tori moved off rhythm to the awkward beat and stood close to her roommate's side.

  “I have no idea what's going on,” Katya cut her friend off before she could ask anything.

  “They just showed up!?”

  “Yes. First Liam, then Wulf. They didn't plan it together. At least I don't think so.”

  “Judging by the way they're glaring at each other like they want to have a knife fight, I'm guessing it was unplanned.”

  “I swear to god, if they give me any grief tonight ...”

  “Why would they? I mean, they're trying to like win your heart or whatever, right?” Tori asked, glancing back at the two men.

  “They never mean to do anything, that's the problem. They just bumble around like jackasses, ruining lives and breaking hearts. I'm sure they spent exactly zero seconds thinking about what showing up here could do,” Katya replied.

  “Don't give them the chance, then,” Tori suggested, bopping around to the music, forcing them to turn on the floor so the men couldn't see their faces. “You're in control here, girl. One word, and you can get them kicked out. One word, and it's restraining-order-city. You're the boss, and you don't even know it. If you just take charge a little, you could have both those dudes wrapped around your little finger.”

  Katya glanced over her shoulder, which caused her to almost stumble in her tall heels. Her drinking binge was catching up to her. She shook her head and tried to focus.

  “My little finger, huh.”

  “Yup. You give them too much credit. They're just stupid guys. Fuck 'em. You're not here for their entertainment. They're here for yours.”

  It occurred to Katya that her roommate was more than a little drunk. Katya must have been a little drunk, too, though, because the statement kind of made sense to her.

  She'd been their play thing. Liam and Wulf's personal sex doll, practically tailor made. It wasn't fair. The way they could pop in and out of her life, screwing with her brain and her heart. Like they owned them. Owned her. No. She was her own master. She wasn't put on this earth for them, and she certainly wasn't at that wedding for them.

  Take control. This doesn't need to be about them. It can be about you.

  A new song had started, drawing a couple more dancers onto the floor. A raspy woman's voice sang about ex's and oh-oh-oh's. Seemed weirdly appropriate. She and Tori sang along loudly, dancing circles around each other and a couple bridesmaids who'd joined them.

  Then Katya realized the guys were still watching her. Wulf with his usual stern look in place, as if he disapproved of her behavior. Liam's face was blank, his eyes following her movements, but not betraying any thoughts or feelings.

  It wasn't fair that they got to stand there, both looking disgustingly handsome. Neither looking at all uncomfortable. Here she was, halfway ready to crawl out of her skin every time she glanced in their direction, and there they were, looking as if this was all old hat for them.

  Not. Fair.

  I want them to feel so uncomfortable, they'll never want to bother me again.

  The liquid courage took over the controls in her brain and before she even knew she had a plan, she was dancing towards them. They both looked a little surprised, but stayed still as she moved around them. Liam smiled at her. Wulf kept a blank face, even as she wiggled between them, shimmying to the melody. She wasn't the world's best dancer, she knew, but she had rhythm. She could dance to the beat. And both men had seen what strip-aerobics classes had done for her, so she was confident that she had their attention.

  Wulf was still feigning indifference to her, so she turned to Liam. Worked around so her back was to his front. She surprised him by dropping it low, then could hear him suck in air when she slowly lifted her hips, pressing against him the entire way up to standing. She couldn't hold it together, though. Being overtly sexy wasn't in her nature. She snickered, which caused him to laugh, so she grabbed his shirt and dragged him out onto the floor with her.

  “Feeling good, angel cake?” he asked, almost shouting to be heard over the music. She nodded.

  “Yes, but not good enough for you to call me that,” she replied. He chuckled and tried to wrap his arms around her, but she kept squirming, rolling and weaving around him.

  “I didn't realize you liked to dance so much, we could've been hitting up the clubs,” he said. She snorted.

  “You own a club, we could've danced there.”

  “I'm pretty sure we did, angel cake.”

  She went to snap at him, but when she looked up, it was Wulf who caught her eye. Any look of indifference he'd been wearing was gone. Now he looked pissed. Like just seeing Liam and Katya dancing was enough to make him see red.

  It was a different sensation, realizing Wulf had never actually seen Katya and Liam together. No, he'd only ever heard stories. And hearing something was never like witnessing it in real life.

  Clearly, Wulfric didn't like what he saw. Not one little bit.

  Not so fun now, is it? Not when it's real and staring you in the face.

  “Liam,” she breathed, getting closer to him.

  “Hmmm?” he almost purred.

  “I don't want you to read too much into this, but … it's been a long week, and I have been really stressed out.”

  “Okay.”

  Taking a deep breath, Katya grabbed
him by the back of his neck and yanked him down to her height. He let out a surprised yelp, but then went completely silent when her mouth locked together with his.

  It felt like it had been a long time since Katya had kissed Liam. Even as she shoved her tongue into his mouth, her brain wandered back over the weeks. On their first official date, he'd kissed her good night. But she'd been so keyed up and nervous, she'd barely registered what had been happening. Their last real kiss had been weeks before that one. So what … almost a month? A month since they'd locked lips?

  She moaned as his arms came around her. She'd forgotten what kissing Liam was like – a little wild and out of control. Like a runaway truck on a hill. He took control quickly and easily, one arm wrapping tight around her waist while his free hand wandered over her back and side, fingers digging into skin where they found it.

  He tasted like warmth and happiness. Good times and fun memories. But then a blanket of sadness covered everything, reminding her of why she'd stopped kissing him all those weeks ago, and why she shouldn't even be kissing him now. Before the feeling could turn the kiss bitter, she pulled away.

  “Holy shit, Katya. I thought you'd never -”

  She didn't wait for him to finish. As the the song hit a crescendo before heading into the bridge, she playfully pushed him away and danced her way back to Tori. Her roommate looked shocked, but when Katya shrugged, the other girl just laughed and kept dancing.

  “Do you, sweetie!” she cackled.

  “What's the other one doing?” Katya asked. Tori glanced over her shoulder, then her eyes got wide.

  “Um, probably something you won't like.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She never got to hear an answer. Wulf was at her side, grabbing her elbow and twisting her into him. She wasn't given an opportunity to accept his silent request to dance – it was more like a demand. An arm went around her waist and one of his hands held hers up, then they were moving together.

  Liam danced like virtually any other guy in a dance club. He had rhythm, he could move, and he was a lot of fun. Wulf had grown up in a wealthy household and had attended the same private schools as Katya. He'd received the same etiquette lessons she had – which meant he also knew how to dance in a more classic sense. Something more fitting for the older half of the wedding party. So he was able to easily and effortlessly lead her across the dance floor, not even noticing that it took her a few seconds to catch up with him and remember the steps he was doing.