There was no wealthy friend.
Liam had purchased it himself, sight unseen, on the way to Arizona. He’d come to Sedona on fishing trips with his father several times throughout his childhood, and he’d always felt at peace here. It was the first place that came to mind when she’d said she needed to get as far away from Dallas as she could.
He’d wanted to share this haven with her. Wanted her to see what he saw when he looked out at the red rocks at sunset. And she had. She’d instantly adored everything about it, the way he’d known she would. She must have told him a dozen times how she’d felt like she was always meant to come here. To meet Kaya and Bailey. How thankful she was to Liam’s rich buddy for letting them stay.
She thought he was an ordinary chef, talented enough in the kitchen to earn a decent living. At first, it was like a gift. One that gave him the chance to get to know her without the other bullshit getting in the way, like it always had in the past. He was just Liam with Dani. Not part owner of one of the most successful chains of barbecue restaurants in Texas. Just Liam. He liked that guy. She liked that guy.
His last serious relationship before they’d met had been a sham. She’d insinuated herself into his family, befriended his sister, charmed his father. Slept with his cousin. All because of the damn money.
If he’d loved her, it might have hurt him, but it still made him wary. And it was no excuse. There wasn’t a manipulative bone in Dani’s body. She was genuine. Honest. And the longer he’d waited to be honest in return, the harder it had become to believe she would forgive him.
“You are the only one I can trust right now, Liam.”
Her words that night had sealed his fate. He loved her. Madly. Completely. He might not deserve her, but he wished like hell he could find a way to unfuck this situation and keep her at the same time.
“That is one hell of a dark thundercloud hanging over your head, my friend. Want to talk about it?”
“What the hell?” Liam spun around to find Nick’s friend wandering toward him.
Stax? “What are you doing on my property?”
The handsome man held his hands up. “Possessive. I left something behind the other night. Thought I’d walk over, since it’s such a beautiful day.”
“From town?” Was he staying with Nick and Jace or at one of the campgrounds? Either way, it was one hell of a walk through difficult terrain to any of their neighbors. Stax smiled sedately, reaching for an object leaning against the wall of the house before holding up his walking stick.
“Found it.”
It was a thick, twisted length of wood covered in detailed carvings. Liam couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it earlier. His first thought was that his father would love one just like it. “That’s beautiful craftsmanship. Did you make it?”
Stax shrugged modestly. “It’s something I do to keep my hands busy between jobs.”
“It’s good,” Liam says sincerely, though the last thing he felt like doing was giving the off-putting man a compliment. “You could make a fortune around here with a talent like that.”
“Don’t they say money can’t buy happiness?” Stax twirled the staff in his hands, shifting it from one palm to the other, his movements hypnotic. “I suppose you know that better than most, don’t you, Texas?”
Liam’s smile hardened. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”
“Relax.” The longhaired drifter chuckled at his expression. “It’s what you expected when you saw me, so I thought I’d have a little fun. I’m not here to rob you or shake you down, I promise. Nick thinks I don’t understand the subtleties of civilized communication, but the truth is I’d rather say what I think than bite my tongue.” He bared his teeth. “My fangs are too sharp for that.”
Liam snorted, walking over to the outdoor kitchen while scrubbing his face with his hands. He supposed he had been guilty of judging him for his appearance, and he was in no shape to throw stones of any kind. “After a march like that I suppose I should offer you a drink.”
Stax tilted his head, studying Liam intently. “Kindness for a stranger, even now. It says a lot about you, not that I needed to know more. You’re very popular around these parts, you know.”
“Am I?” Liam was skeptical, reaching for two of the water bottles he kept in the outside fridge near the grill and tossing one to Stax. “Has Jace been telling stories again?”
“And others.” Stax sat on the concrete beside the pool, taking a long drink before looking up at the sky thoughtfully. “From what I hear you’re a good tipper, you carry bags for old ladies and always pull over if someone’s stuck on the side of the road. Oh,” he added, as if it just occurred to him. “But most of them agree with Jace when it comes to your roommate situation. They all know you’re in love with her, and no one is sure why you aren’t doing anything about it.”