Deceiving The Groom by Lisa Shadow

complete coward and go through the front door… But no, it seemed coward was the word of the day. Gah, when had she turned into this person?
    Hadn’t she come to town with purpose, conviction, the hunger for justice? She was halfway there and the only part of it that still made any sense was the bit that got Penny away from Aunt Justine.
    “You look like you could use a hand.”
    Claire’s head snapped up. Crap . Liam strode towards her, long legs closing the gap until he stood close enough to hold the door open. The fresh scent of his cologne sneaked over her senses. She tried to suppress the response, but her heart raced, and her lungs demanded extra air. God willing, she didn’t look as breathless and flushed as she felt.
    “It’s fine. I can manage.”
    His face hardened like she’d slapped him. Claire clamped her teeth on her lip. She hadn’t intended to come off nasty.
    “Can we talk about this?”
    She maneuvered the bolt through the door and propped it against the wall. Talk about this? Her tongue felt thick. He didn’t even know what this was. But, it was better to hurt him a little now, than a lot later when he found out what she’d done.
    “No. I think it’s just better if we don’t see each other anymore.”
    “Claire —”
    “Goodbye, Liam.” Claire tugged the door from his grasp and closed it with a bang.  She stared at the closed door and swallowed. Well, she’d done it. It was over. Kinda.  In three days the store would open and she’d be working across from him. Hopefully he’d leave her alone. Hopefully it would get easier…
    Caring had never been part of the plan.
     
    Claire held on to the rail and dragged herself up the stairs one long step at a time, all the way to her attic room. Long day was an understatement. After she’d done as much as she could on the gowns, she’d scrubbed the store from top to bottom, and painted the sewing room. Every muscle ached. At least she felt well punished—deservingly punished. She brushed stray strands of hair from her face with the back of her hand.
    “You look like hell.”
    Claire glanced up. Geoff stood hands on hips at the top of the stairs, his mouth curled in amusement. Claire reached the top and pushed past him, her shoes dangling in her hand.
    “Not now, Geoff.” She fished in her bag for her room key.
    “What? I didn’t do anything.”
    Claire shoved the key into the lock and opened the door before turning to him. “No, you’re just standing there looking all smug and plotty. I’m not in the mood.”
    Geoff just raised an eyebrow and slithered into her room. “Well it’s not often I hear those words from a woman.”
    Claire tossed her shoes into the wardrobe and rolled her eyes. “Of course not, your evilness is captivating.”
    “Evil. Ouch.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, I’ll leave then if I’m not wanted. I just thought you would like to know I spoke to Penny today…” He strolled leisurely to the door.
    Claire’s muscles clenched and her voice turned iron. “Sit down, Geoff.”
    Geoff spun and pulled back the chair at the tiny table and folded himself into it.
    “So how is she?” Claire asked, circling him to sit on the bed.
    “I wanted to chat about the Liam situation first.”
    Claire flexed her feet. “Geoff, I’m exhausted. I just want to have a shower and go to bed.”
    “Penny is fine. She misses you, wants to talk to you, wants see you.”
    Claire rubbed the back of her neck. “And when’s that going to happen, Geoff? Are you going to tell me once I do everything you say?”
    Geoff leaned back and rested his arm on the table, admiring his fingertips. “You really are in a mood today, aren’t you?”
    “Am I wrong? Have you even tried to talk to your mother about our phone calls?”
    “You know Mother. She doesn’t have conversations she doesn’t want to.”
    Claire stood. “Well you could try, Geoff. You could try. Just like you expect me to try everything you say.” She grabbed