Free Liam's Bride: BBW Werebear Romance (Clan Conroy Brides Book 1) by Emma Alisyn Page A

not to bother- she’d seen his idea of small talk when tossing drunks out of his bar- or barking orders at Tamar. But Meredith obliged him, discussing the program. She showed him the conference and workout rooms in the basement, directed him to the restrooms which were clean but old.
    "What colors would you like in the bathrooms?"
    Meredith blinked. Alphonso smirked. "Liam asked me to get a girl’s input before the finishes were chosen. The designer is male, too."
    "That's smart. Well, neutrals are always nice for a spa like feel. Warm browns with natural stone finishes. Maybe some dark wood accents."
    "Sounds sophisticated."
    They made their way around to the front entrance. "Well, that's all there is, Alphonso. If there aren't any other questions, I should really get out to my kids."
    "No problem." He held out a hand. "If you think of anything else, just come by the bar."
    She took his hand, shaking it, wondering at the oddness of his behavior. He was being downright… civilized. "Of course. You have my number if you-"
    His hand convulsed over hers. Meredith jerked, startled, but he wasn't paying attention to her, looking over her shoulders, expression tight.
    "Al," she said, snapped. He dropped her hand a split second later. Meredith turned around to see what had him so bothered and stilled.
    "Dad!"
    Harvey stood just inside the entrance, hands in his pockets, looking between her and Alphonso.
    "I wanted to see where you worked, Mere."
    She hurried towards him. "I thought we agreed you'd stay in the apartment and not wander around town." Until she figured out what to do with him.
    "You know I can't do that, Mere. I have to check in with the parole officer, and I need to find a job. I can’t sleep on your couch forever."
    No, he couldn't. She remembered Alphonso’s presence at her back. She turned on her heels, hairs on her neck rising, encountering a smooth expression. Smooth, and cool. He nodded at Meredith and walked past them without another word and out of the building.
    "Who was that, Mere?"
    She frowned. Something was bothering her, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint what. "Don’t worry about it, Dad. Do you have a bus card? You should get back home before anyone sees you."
    Before anyone who knew Liam, and knew her, saw him. The fact that she was... dating the restaurateur still surprised her during times of quiet reflection. The last week had been a delightful dance of conversation, passion, and occasional companionable silences. They'd been able to explore each other’s interest while Meredith managed to keep conversations away from the past. And managed to make excuses for why he couldn’t come by her apartment. Mostly by claiming she was ashamed because it was small and not very pretty.
    The expression around his eyes tightened. "I know you're ashamed of me."
    She gritted her teeth, then felt ashamed of her response. Then felt ashamed for feeling ashamed.
    "Dad, you weren't the most loving parent when I was growing up... before you shot a man. And yes, I am ashamed of that. But you know what? You have to deal with it. So do I. I just want you to start living your life so I can go back to mine."
    She turned away, knowing it was harsh. But she hadn't asked for her entire childhood to be destroyed, and not just hers. And she was a little sick of her own inner whining about it. Meredith waited until she heard the door close and then banished him from her mind. She had a garden to run.
     
     
     
    Alphonso considered himself a fair man. Shit happened to everyone, and usually the innocent paid the worst price. So when he realized the man talking to Meredith was Harvey Tyler, and he was apparently Meredith’s father, he decided not to make any rash decisions. Like run off and tell Liam. Right away.
    Liam didn’t necessarily need to know.
    He swiped a rag over the counter for show, glancing at Tamar. She met his eyes, hip cocked as she took a lunch order. They didn’t get a ton of lunch business, their beer