A Starlet in Venice by Tara Crescent Read Free Book Online Page B

in Ireland?” I asked him, and he shook his head.
    “I live close enough to come home when I need,” he replied.  “How’s the filming going, rabbit?”
    So he was going to avoid mentioning our night together. I should have been glad; this way, things could just return to normal. But I wasn’t. There was an ache behind my eyes, and I fought the urge to burst into tears. Because if I was both foolish enough to have sex with Liam, and then become a blubbering wreck, that would be a friendship-ender.
    “Fine,” I said. We chatted about everything and nothing on the drive.
    ***
    I stretched as I got out of the car. Liam’s parents’ house was located in the outskirts of Cork, and though it was winter, it was still very green and lush. It was cold though, and I shivered, my skin chilled at the sudden contrast between the warmth of the car and the damp bite of the air. It was early evening, just after four, but the sky was already darkening.
    “Nice house,” I commented. It was an old farmhouse, and it radiated permanence and sturdiness.
    “It belonged to my mother’s parents.” He urged me forward. “Come on, rabbit.” He grabbed our bags, and deposited them on the doorstep, ringing the doorbell. I gulped, nervous. I met new people all the time when filming, and I never enjoyed it. And the idea of meeting Liam’s family was nerve-wracking.
    “Liam,” the door opened, and a woman beamed at us. “There you are, lad.” Liam was folded into a warm hug, and I stood off to the sidelines, completely envious of the love on display.
    “And you must be Tatiana,” she turned to me. “I’m Maureen. Welcome, dear. Liam, it’s chilly in the doorway, let the poor girl in.”
    “You were hugging me and blocking the way,” Liam pointed out dryly, let me step ahead of him, and flashing me a grin. I followed Liam’s mother down a narrow hallway, and into a kitchen, dominated by a large wooden table. Liam promptly dumped the bags in a corner, and sat down, his legs stretched out in front of him.
    “Tatiana, dear, can I get you something to drink? Tea, coffee, beer, wine?” Liam’s mother asked.
    “Tea would be lovely, Mrs. Callahan,” I responded, and Liam chuckled.
    “That’s Italian disdain for our coffee, ma,” he told her, winking at me. “She’s sticking with tea to be safe.”
    I aimed a kick at him under the table, blushing red when Liam’s mother turned at the same time, catching me in the act. She laughed affably. “Liam,” she chided, “leave the poor girl alone. Tatiana, please call me Maureen. Mrs. Callahan makes me feel like a school teacher.”
    “You are a school teacher,” Liam said, taking the cup of coffee his mom handed him with a smile of thanks.
    “A retired one, and I don’t need to be reminded of that every single minute,” she shot back, and I suppressed a grin at the two of them. “Now, the girls are getting in tonight, and your father went to the pub but promised to be back in time for dinner. It’s going to be a full house for Christmas, so I’ve put the two of you in your old room, Liam.”
    Wait, what? I was going to be sharing a room with Liam? I glanced over at him, and he gazed back with an implacable look in his eyes. I took a sip of my tea, shelving my instinctive protest. Maureen had just mentioned a full house. It would be ungracious to protest the sleeping arrangements. She obviously thought we were a couple, but that was a conversation I needed to have with Liam, not his mother.
    “That’s fine, ma,” Liam replied calmly. “You need any help with dinner?”
    She beamed at him. He was clearly the apple of her eye. “No, lad. I’m almost done, and I better go to the pub and drag your father back home, or he’ll be there until closing. I might stay and have a drink myself. Why don’t you get settled in, and if you want, you can meet us at the pub?”
    I swallowed. I was going to be alone with Liam.
    “The Callahans,” Liam announced dryly. “If you