Forever My Girl (The Beaumont Series)

it’s not a good idea or tells me to come but he’s busy? Can I take the rejection?
    I jump when a horn blares. My thumb inadvertently hits the call button, his and Noah’s faces light up my screen. It’s a picture I took when neither of them knew I was in the room. My hand shakes as I bring my phone to my ear. I listen through the rings and hope he doesn’t answer.
    “Hello.” He doesn’t sound out of breath or rushed when he answers, just calm and very Liam.
    “I didn’t mean to call,” I say barely audible.
    “I’m happy you did. I like hearing your voice.”
    “You shouldn’t say things like that to me.”
    He laughs. “Well, if you expect me to lie or keep my emotions in check, it’s not going to happen. So what do I owe the pleasure of your call? I’m very happy to hear your voice.”
    “God, are you this smooth with all your women?”
    “There are no women, Josie. I promise you. So what’s up?”
    “I’m thinking of coming to L.A. for a trade show and wanted to know if you wanted to get coffee?”
    Liam is silent for a moment. I can hear him breathing so I know he didn’t hang up on me. “Are you bringing Noah?”
    “No, this is next week and he has a Boy Scout camping trip. It would just be me. I mean if you’re busy and don’t have time, I understand. I know this is short notice and you probably have a bunch of parties and whatever to—”
    “Josie!”
    “What?”
    “Shut up for a minute, geez. I want to see you, Jojo. I’ll make the time. Where will you be staying?”
    I unfold the flyer and look. I tell him where and he starts to laugh. “What’s so funny?”
    “Nothing, it’s just that I live on the top floor.”
    I’m going to be spending the weekend in Liam’s hotel. I think I’m in trouble.
     

CHAPTER 23
    LIAM
     
    Josie is in L.A. today. In fact, she’s downstairs in the convention center. I know this shouldn’t be the only thing on my mind, but it is. I snagged one of the agendas for the trade show she’s attending so I could keep my schedule clear. I've canceled two interviews – which did not go over well with Sam. She demanded, in a very high pitched screech, that I was to tell her who I knocked up while I was gone so she could do damage control. I’ve told her repeatedly that no one is pregnant, but she’s not buying it. Her obsession with pregnancy is starting to scare me.
    I wanted to meet Josie at the airport, but didn’t dare ask her when her flight was arriving. I need to try and keep my cool even though I’m tempted to visit that side of the hotel and see if I can find her. We're having dinner tonight in my penthouse. I’m not taking her out of this hotel if I can manage it. I don’t want her face splattered all over the gossip columns and rag TV shows. I don’t even want the press to know her name. They’ll start digging and that will put Noah in harm’s way.
    I shouldn’t bring her to my room though. I know it’s a mistake, but since I kissed her the night we told Noah about me being his father, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her. I know she’s off limits. I know she’s marrying another man, but I’m a glutton for punishment because having her in my space is enough for me, even if I can’t touch her like I want to.
    I look at the nameless cat sitting on the window sill and have to laugh. Noah can’t wait to meet him. I’ve started looking for houses in Beaumont, something for me and Noah. Most of the houses there are good size, but I want a nice big yard and something with a basement that I can soundproof and turn into a studio. As much as I’d love to take a week off a month, deadlines are looming and this new album is coming together rather quickly. That means Sam will schedule another tour and put us back out on the road and farther away from Noah. I should’ve stalled on these songs.
    A knock and announcement of room service puts a smile on my face. The front desk knows to give Josie an access card to my floor when she presents herself there in a few minutes. My nerves are on edge.
    Opening the door, it’s one of my regular delivery guys. This is good and bad. Good because I know him. Bad because he knows I eat alone and I’m definitely not eating alone tonight.
    “Having company tonight Mr. Page?” he asks as he pushes the service cart into my room.
    “No, Michael, just a meeting.”
    “This is some fancy and romantic dinner for a meeting.”
    “She’s writing a book. I need to make sure she gets