oceanfrontliz-blog

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

You Are Not Who I Expected | Ward + Liz

Liz had wondered, a year ago, if she’d ever get to feel like this again. In the darkness of the time PP—Post-Porter, as it were—Liz had convinced herself that it was impossible. That she’d never again feel like the sun was warmer and brighter than her memory could recall, that the breeze was sweeter, the bird song lighter; that the world itself was a place worth living in again.

And yet all that had changed literally overnight.

A soft smile crossed the young woman’s face as she brushed against the memory, wind playing through her blonde hair as she pulled into the road leading up to Nick’s mansion. The way his face had lit up the moment she had pressed her lips against his own, the music of his laughter joining with hers as they pulled each other back towards the house… The moment she’d known for certain that maybe this time—maybe this time she really had found something good.

It had been hard enough to pull herself away as it was. Even if it really only had been to go home and shower and grab some new clothes—not to mention assure Kristen and Elaine that Nick hadn’t locked her away in his ivory tower for the rest of her life. He’d looked so perfect lying there beside her, so peaceful and happy.

Liz found herself hoping to God that this time nothing and no-one would destroy that, especially her.

“Hey, it’s me!” She called out without really looking, hanging her purse on the back of her usual seat at the kitchen counter before stepping out the open sliding door towards the pool. It was odd to think that Nick was working outside but then again maybe he’d actually taken her advice and given himself another day of reprieve. She’d said she’d be back as soon as possible after all.

“Were you waiting out here for me this whole time, babe?” Liz laughed as she sidled up to the only occupied lounge chair, eyes already half-closed as she placed a hand on the back of the chair and leaned forward to press another kiss to Nick’s lips. “I feel like I should be immensely flattered—“

Yet suddenly, mere moments before their lips met, Liz pulled up short. Her eyes went wide as she stumbled backwards, holding up her hands in a shocked and defensive manner. “You... You are not who I expected, I swear to God.”

After all, Liz would have just broken about fifty levels of Girl Code—not to mention very possibly the heart of the man Liz was pretty positive she was going to marry someday—had she actually kissed Ward Eastwood.

“What—what the hell are you doing here, Ward? How are you even here? Does Elaine know you’re in town?!”

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

Liz grinned widely at Elaine, wiggling her eyebrows as her bestie also bemoaned the fact that they had been forced apart for more than the usual two hours or so. “Of course you wish I could’ve come. I wish I could’ve come. I’d rather have been there with you than sitting through fifty more fundraisers with my mother whispering at me about going to talk to the Porters.” The girl’s face fell a little, swallowing the hard lump that had formed in her throat and looking away. It was hard to explain to her mother… That Ian wasn’t ever going to be a part of her life anymore. And hinting that she might have found someone better hadn’t helped either. It was a Porter or nothing for Nancy Allen-Kane. Nothing else would do.

After a moment though, Liz slapped a bright smile on her face and looked back to Elaine with a glimmer in her eyes. Mother wasn’t going to have that kind of hold on her anymore, Liz had decided. She was going to be happy. She was determined to be happy. “Besides, I have no idea who else you could have brought along to be your consummate model of every single thing those buyers brought to you. I’d have to fly into a rage if you even thought for a second about bringing that Ackerman girl in my place.” She laughed a little and sipped at her tea, obviously teasing. “You know this means I’m going to have to look over everything you brought back and make sure you hadn’t gotten fleeced by someone.” The girl winked before laughing once more.

Honestly, the next person other than herself that Liz would even begin to trust with her clothes would be Elaine. Though she was the night to Liz’s day, Elaine still could have made the front pages of any sordid society rag on her own had she a little more standing. Or a bit more of a crazy streak in her. But then again, Liz usually had more than enough of that for the two of them.

“Well, I mean… It’s… It’s not exactly a date, I guess. Because he doesn’t actually know it’s happening yet.”

Or at least, she’d used to have one. Maybe this Nick McLaine was better at taming a beast than Liz thought. She blushed a little and smiled to herself, fingers playing a bit with the petals of the flowers she’d arranged so nicely on their breakfast tray.

“It’s just, his birthday is coming up and his assistant said he never does anything for it, which I just couldn’t stand. Because I know him, even now, a month after meeting him; he’s planning on spending that entire day cooped up in his secret little lair and pretending like it’s just some regular boring old day.” She shook her head lightly and laughed, biting her lip. “And he’s just… He’s so kind, Lainey. He’s so kind and generous and funny and sweet… I can’t let his birthday go by and sit on the sidelines and let him be alone.”

Liz finally lifted her gaze to look at Elaine and felt another soft blush come over her cheeks. “So, um, I have this whole surprise day planned for him. I’m going to sneak into his house in the morning to give him these cupcakes I’ve made, and we’re have breakfast on the terrace… We’re going to go walk to boardwalk and ride some rides, maybe go mini-golfing, I’ve got a sailboat ride planned… Go to the drive-in… And I’m going to have a bonfire set up for us when we get back.” She grinned sheepishly at Elaine and brushed a hand through her messy curls. “Is it too much? I feel like it’s maybe too much. We’ve only known each other a month, and before that he was just some distant possibly figment of my imagination. Plus, who knows if he’ll even think of it as a date. As far as I know, he doesn’t even think of me like that.” The girl sighed a little. It was all so hard, trying to do this again. Thank god above for Elaine to bounce ideas off of. Elaine who would sit and munch on pastries with her until the wee hours of the morning if necessary to hash everything in the world out. What the hell would she ever do without her?

“Maybe we should make your mom do some reconnaissance. “ Liz teased once more, grinning and grabbing a muffin of her own and popping a bit into her mouth. “It’s a legal matter, right? To pry into your boss’ personal life?” She giggled a little and leaned back against her headboard. “Though then again, I’m not sure if I’d like the answer.” For a moment or two she sat like that, taking another long sip of her tea before looking over at Elaine. “Then again, if we keep talking about me, I’m going to feel like some reporter is going to show up any minute begging for an inside scoop about my ‘latest beau’ and scare any possibilities away. Please tell me you met someone fabulously handsome and wealthy on your trip so that I can revel in your one-time Liz-Kane-ification.”

Babes Who Brunch | Brotp: Gin&Tonic

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

For a few tense moments, Liz wondered if she had made a very, very, very terrible mistake.

How could she think anything else when Nick just sat there, staring at her for what felt like ten million years as the candle in his now-seemingly-idiotic cupcake sent light flickering between them.

Maybe there was a good reason that he didn’t celebrate his birthday, now that she thought of it. Maybe something terrible had happened to him on this day. Maybe his dad had died on his birthday. Or his former wife. Or his childhood dog.

Maybe by coming here she was breaking some unspoken rule she hadn’t even thought to ask Sally about. Was it that only Sally could celebrate his birthday with him? Oh god, was Sally his girlfriend as well as his personal assistant? Had she totally misinterpreted everything that first morning and every morning since?

Had she really been so self-involved to assume that he would want any of this?

Slowly Liz felt a small wave of panic seizing inside of her as they still stood there in silence, opening her mouth to make some sort of excuse, to laugh and make a joke and make a quick exit. To flee before it became too obvious that she had been hoping to give him something he apparently did not want. And yet, before the words could leave her, Nick spoke first.

How did you get past my security system?

Liz blinked a few times at Nick, taken aback a little by the question.

“Oh, um… I… I did a lot of planning?” She said with a nervous laugh, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear before gently lifting herself up to sit on the edge of his desk. “I plotted out where all the cameras were and tried to figure out the blind spots? And I just… figured out a path…” Liz grinned sheepishly. “I just… I wanted to actually surprise you for once, I suppose? I figured it… It doesn’t happen often, and I thought maybe it’d be nice to have someone surprise you for your birthday.”

She lowered her gaze down to the plate with the cupcake, adjusting it slightly and muttering under her breath, “And I have now realized that was probably one of my not so great ideas. Surprise the security expert, that’s a solid plan, Liz…”

And yet suddenly she started to connect the dots of exactly how and why Nick was probably sitting there in shocked terror at the fact that she had managed to sneak into his most central and secret spot in the entire house. “Oh! Oh God. Oh Nick, I—I’m so sorry! I didn’t even think about if any of your clients…” She reached out a hand to touch his shoulder again, but pulled it back quickly and put her hands to her slowly reddening cheeks. “I promise I didn’t say anything to anyone except Sally about trying to sneak in! Shit… Oh god. Nobody will ever know that I could…  That I… Oh Christ, this was not the way I had thought to start today.” Liz wiped her hand over her face and groaned gently.

How many more ways could she fuck up trying to do something nice for someone else for once in her goddamn life? If anyone heard about this… He’d be ruined for life and it’d be all her fault.

“Um, so. Well, I had been hoping this would go a little better.” Liz laughed nervously once more and let her hands fall into her lap. “With this current line of events, I’m just waiting for you to say that you’re either A—allergic to gluten; B—you hate lemon cake with your entire being; C—you’re allergic to both gluten AND citrus and that I’ve basically brought you a cake of death and that I need to leave your house immediately and never come back.” After another moment of two she hopped back down from the desk and looked over her shoulder towards the door and back to him.

“But, if—if you can forgive my immense and total accidental destruction of your life’s work, there’s coffee and breakfast out on the balcony. I thought maybe we could watch the sunrise before I whisked you off to the rest of your surprise birthday adventure… That is, if you wanted. I just…” Liz laughed once more and shook her head at herself, shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know, I just think you’re the one person in the world who most deserves to have a really great day on their birthday. And I couldn’t stand the thought of letting you spend it in here all alone.”

She watched Nick with a nervous eye, hoping beyond all hope that he’d accept her offer. It had been presumptuous of her of course to simply assume he would without any second thoughts. She knew he was reclusive, she knew he liked watching from afar. Why had she thought that if she was the one presenting this day to him that he would grab at the opportunity with both hands? So what if sometimes he looked at her as if he could hardly believe she was standing in front of him? It was entirely possible she was creating something that wasn’t even there because the loneliness had just become too much to bear.

And yet, Liz knew too, that she’d rather take that chance with Nick McLain than wait and wonder for the rest of her life what would have happened had she been braver.

“So, what do you say, Mister McLain?” Liz said with a shaky smile, forcing herself to take a deep breath and hold a hand out to him. “Are you ready to have the best day of your life?”

Where It All Begins | Liznick

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

you and me we’ve got two minds that think as one, and our hearts march to the same beat – a liznick moodboard [ 1/? ]

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

and if you’re in love, then you are the lucky one ; ‘cause most of us are bitter over someone – a Liz Kane moodboard [2/?]

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

my otps to end all otps: 10/∞

Nick McLain & Liz Kane from On the Oceanfront

And then, she shattered through these thoughts as she kissed him. And it was his turn to be surprised. It was only for a moment…But it was enough. Nick’s eyes widened and it was all he could do not to pull her to him right then and there. Just this one simple action stirred memories in him that he had buried long ago. Memories of tangled sheets and whale sounds, laughter and kisses. Of a moment that had been wonderful but snatched from him all too quickly. Almost instinctually, Liz stepped back slightly, her body nearly leaning into his own as she continued to search the contents of the fridge—or at least appeared to do so. Wouldn’t admit it to his face, but at the moment she found herself much more interested in feeling the gentle wafting of his breath against the back of her neck and the temptation to rest her back against his strong chest.

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

An On the Oceanfront moodboard | Brot3: Two Babes and a Blonde (1/?)

and a Bonus grumpy!Nick:

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

OMG WARD. I JUST. OMG. Ahaha!

Okay, so, like, this is hilarious and amazing bc depending on how things went with Elaine, Liz would either be like: “….get the fuck away from me and stop asking me about my liFE” or: “….uM. I UNDERSTAND UR BFFS WITH MY BOYFRIEND, BUT IDK HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS QUESTION? I FEEL V UNCOMFORTABLE RN. OKAY BYE.” Ahaha! Especially since Liz is really waffling on her feelings for Nick? Like she is INTENSELY into him, and she gets that, but is also kinda vaguely freaked out by it since the last time she was this into somebody it blew up in her face???? And she’d really like to not have that happen again??

So having people like Ward just walk up to her and point blank ask if they’re together/making out on the regular/etc. is just like pinging a million alarm bells in Liz’s head. ‘Cause that means she’s being really obvious about her feelings. That maybe she’s doing too much and getting in way over her head again and whAT IF HE LIKES HER THIS MUCH TOO? OH NO, OH NO, BETTER MAKE AN EXCUSE AND RUN AWAY AND GO DRINK A BAR OUT OF BUSINESS AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA.

Although I’m wondering if Ward hasn’t been told about Liz + Nick back in HS then??? Bc if he did, there’d be that whole ~oh man, Liz slept with Nick on a dare and then totally peaced out on him around 10 years ago!~ ~And now she’s trying to horn back in, wtf bro??!?!~ stuff.

Either way, I’m sure eventually Liz’ll be like: “lol, okay, so, Ward, darling. I’m sorry I haven’t printed your Liznick Fanclub President T-shirt yet, but asking me about my and Nick’s sex life isn’t going to make it appear any faster. Also my mom called me about your blog about us and was very angry….. So keep up the good work, mmk?”

Oh! And I almost forgot!!!

In other news: Liz also has vague heart-eyes for Ward’s brother bc he’s ridiculously hot, even though she is still ridiculously obviously in love with Nick. She just…. She just likes to look at Ren, y’know? Especially when he takes his shirt off? He’s just… He’s got the coolest tattoos and she’s REALLY BEEN TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT TATTOO TO GET. So I’m sure that’s something Ward picks up on too when Liz is like: “sooooooo…. Ward…… How’s, uh… How’s your brother doing????”

ooc: ward + liz

okay, so ward is friends w/ nick and I think he used to constantly tease him that he was gonna end up an old bachelor, etc. etc. and then he gets a girl and not just any girl but LIZ KANE and ward is like: SHE’S TOO HOT (hot damn) and basically high fiving nick all the time like “way to go” and he def highkey ships them and he has zERO boundaries and probably just goes up to liz and is very frank w/ her like “so, you guys make out yet, or what” and smdh he’s a problem

he also dated elaine at one point though, and idk yet how that ended/if they are still friends or not and I feel like how things ended w/ elaine would def change how liz sees ward???? but I feel like ward would still ship liznick regardless/ask her personal questions about how things are going with nick #facepalm

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

Babes Who Brunch | Brotp: Gin&Tonic

Even a few days without her best friend always sucked for Liz. So the two weeks Elaine had been off doing god knows what had felt somewhat close to torture. Which, of course, meant the moment Elaine announced her triumphant return, Liz had swept right in and demanded an old-fashioned sleepover the likes of which they both hadn’t seen since prep school days. This, of course, explained how her bedroom had become strewn with the latest fashion and gossip magazines, computers open to Netflix queues and a rainbow’s worth of colored liquor bottles and cocktail glasses.

It also explained the blonde and the brunette curled up on either side of Liz’s massive bed and the tea-tray filled with food and pots of tea hovering at the foot of it.

“I’m telling you, Lainey… I don’t know what it is about this Nick McLaine guy, but I can’t get him out of my head. He’s just really great. Nice, funny, a little weird but—I kinda like his kind of weird? He’s not creepy, he’s just… eccentric, I guess. A lot more like a real-life Gatsby than I’d ever imagined when I gave him the nickname,” Liz murmured, half-smiling a little into her tea as she took a sip. “And no, I know that look, we’re not dating and no I haven’t slept with him… yet…” She laughed and wiggled her eyebrows at the other girl.

“But… I will say, I do have a pretty amazing first date planned, if I do say so myself, so… Cross your fingers, my darling. You might see a whole new Elizabeth Kane if you’re lucky.” Liz grinned widely once more before setting down her tea cup on the bedside table before reaching out to take Elaine’s hands in her own and squeeze them tight. 

“But enough about what boring stuff I’ve been up to. How are you? How was everything? I saw all your snapchats and I died a little inside that I couldn’t go with you. But, you know… Mom being Mom…” She rolled her eyes and waved a hand in the air. “Never likes to hear I’m going too far when she’s in the middle of fundraiser season. Always needs an IT-Girl to be her draw, apparently.”

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

ooc: she’s back.

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

Where It All Begins | Liznick

Really, she should have left for his house at midnight.

Liz had been up since then, anyway, thrumming with excitement as she tossed and turned in her bed, just counting down the hours until the grand plans she’d made weeks ago for Nick’s birthday could finally come to fruition. The whole day was planned down to the second and Liz hoped to God in heaven above that she wasn’t being too hasty. Would he even want any of this? He was always so quiet about his personal life. Hadn’t even told her his birthday was coming up in the first place—Liz had to find it out second-hand.

Sally was to blame for that, of course. Liz had been lounging about with her and Nick one day as she’d started to do after realizing that she and her handsome once-mystery-man had the impeccable knack of running into each other everywhere they went. Might as well just spend time with him on her own terms. Not to mention that Liz still had yet to unravel the mystery of how he’d known her name without Liz ever giving it to him. Or, you know, that weird nagging feeling she still sometimes got if she caught him watching her out of the corner of her eye.

But in any case, she’d glanced over Sally’s shoulder at her planner one day and had gestured to the starred July 2nd date. “What you got going on the second? I thought you’ve been prepping for the big masquerade bash Nick’s throwing for months now.” Liz had laughed as she set aside her book, but hadn’t quite been prepared for the nervous glance the brunette had sent the way of her boss’s study door. Nick had locked himself in as he wrestled with an extremely vexing bit of code, surrounding himself in the invisible bubble afforded to him by his intricate security system.

“Uh, well… It’s actually his birthday.” Sally replied with a weak smile. “He doesn’t like to celebrate it at all, but I still like to try and do something for him every year. It’s just sad; his mom doesn’t even call anymore.”

“Really? Not even his mom?” Liz had paused then, tapping her fingers against the countertop of the island where she and Nick had shared so many breakfasts since that first fateful morning a month or so ago. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, then opened it again, hesitation caused by contained excitement evident in her voice. “Would… Would you mind if I took over for you this year?”

Had she not been staring intently at Nick’s door, Liz might have caught the small smile twisting itself into life upon Sally’s lips, and might have even begun to wonder if this had all been a set-up as Sally told her to knock herself out.

This all lead to Liz bolting out of bed at five-thirty A.M. feeling more awake than she had in years. She rushed through her morning routine, barely even waiting for her hair to dry in its usual beachy waves before shoving on a pair of shorts and slipping the boho top she’d picked out earlier over her head and rushing for the door. Lithe fingers grasped the box holding a single homemade cupcake that had been lying upon her counter since Liz had baked it the day before. She smiled down at the little confection, rolling her eyes as she remembered how shocked her friends had been that Liz had even made something like this at all.

“I don’t even know who this girl is.” Elaine had teased, gesturing to the surprisingly sober Liz as she pulled a cupcake pan out of the oven and turned around to stick her tongue out at her friend that had come over to help with all the baking fun. “I’m serious. I’ve never seen you like this. Gatsby’s got you wrapped around his finger, Liz.”

“Well, you remember how I was when I was…” Liz began, before the words got stuck in her throat. She coughed once, taking a breath as she smiled and continued on. “--when I was dating Ian. And, besides, Nick’s just a friend. Not to mention he’s a friend who apparently hasn’t celebrated his own birthday in years because no one ever really talks about it.” The blonde set down the piping bag she was filling with icing to look back up at Elaine with furrowed eyebrows and a hurt expression. “Did you know his own mother doesn’t even call him on his birthday? His personal assistant is the only one who’s ever done anything for him. And Sally told me that even that is never too much or else he gets moody.” Liz let out a little sigh and rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand. “I don’t know, Lainey… It’s just… He’s been really kind to me when he didn’t have any reason to be. And I can’t stand to think of him alone, all locked up in that ivory tower of his, working all day on his birthday.”

Elaine raised an eyebrow as she too had that small knowing smile twist at her lips, Liz once again missing the knowing expression as she turned back to decorating the cupcakes before her. “Well, I’m sure the two of you will have an amazing date, Liz. You do always seem to plan the best ones.” The kitchen had become quite the disaster moments later as Liz looked up in shock and threw a handful of sprinkles at her best friend, screeching that she and Nick were not going on a date, before the two of them devolved into having a rather massive food fight.

Only this single cupcake that Liz held on her lap had remained intact from the carnage. Liz had frosted it with the utmost care, gently piping tiny rosettes all along the top and edges before pressing a single candle in the very center. “God, I hope he likes buttercream.” She sighed to herself as Liz leaned forward to tell her town car driver the code to open up the gates to Nick’s mansion. And that he’s too absorbed in a project to notice I’m here. The rational part of her mind amended.

After all, what good is a surprise if the one you’re surprising sees you coming a mile away?

“I’d wait in the garage area. We’ll need you in an hour or two once the boardwalk opens up.” Liz said as she exited the vehicle, smiling up at the large house in front of her and let out a small squeal of excitement. He has to have a good day today. He just has to. She thought to herself, dodging a few of the cameras Nick had mistakenly pointed out to her earlier. Liz had planned her route of attack about a week ago, and had done a dry run a few days ago. Nick hadn’t said anything, nor had her quick appraisal of his security feeds later that day turned up any video of her movements through the house, so Liz had high hopes that she’d be able to make it to the kitchen without incident.

Sidling up to the counter, Liz glanced about quickly, making sure she hadn’t missed any new cameras Nick had installed without her knowing. Nothing seemed out of place at least. So, quietly, Liz slunk to one of the cupboards and pulled out a plate she had hidden away a few days ago. She’d found it during one of her wanderings in Nick’s mansion that he still allowed her when the mood struck. Generally he’d go back to working, sometimes leaving Liz to wonder if he just casually kept on eye on her—making sure she’d stay out of trouble probably. But somehow he’d missed seeing her rifling through a random closet and turning up the beautiful set of fine china plates all inlaid with a scalloped edging of gold. Her fingers had run gently across the edges, smiling sadly to herself before wondering if these were the secret plates she had teased Nick about at their first meeting. It had felt like a sign of some sort, so Liz had secreted one of the dessert plates away to his cupboards.

And now it had the distinct honor of carrying what Liz was fairly sure would be Nick McLain’s first bite of real birthday cake in a very long time.

The girl held to plate very carefully in one hand, shielding the light from the burning birthday candle with the other as she made her way up the stairs to Nick’s study. Once outside the door, it was almost hard to contain herself. Liz could feel herself shaking with excitement, just hoping and pleading to all the gods in heaven above that he wouldn’t be angry with her for this. After all, no one should be alone on the one day of the year that has been set aside just for them.

Now or never… Liz thought to herself before taking a deep breath and beginning to sing as she nudged open the study door with her shoulder. “Happy birthday to you…” Her voice was quiet, a bit choked as Nick turned and looked at Liz standing there with complete shock in his eyes. “Happy birthday to you…” She continued, swallowing around the nervous lump in her throat as she walked a bit forward, lowering her hand so that the faint light of the candle spread throughout the darkened room. “Happy birthday, dear Nick…” Liz finally stopped next to Nick’s chair, gently setting the plate with the cupcake down in front of him. “Happy birthday to you.”

She smiled gently down at the tall man next to her who seemed a bit paralyzed with shock as his confused gaze moved from the cupcake up to Liz and back. “Go on… Blow out the candle. Make a wish! It’s your birthday, not mine.” Liz teased and nudged Nick’s shoulder lightly as her smile widened into a large grin. “I’ve got big plans for you today. Barely made it to waiting until six am to come give this to you. Thought you’d appreciate the illusion of getting any work done on your birthday.”

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

Yesterday, a girl that I was fond of Finally could see the writing on the wall. Sadly she realized she'd left him behind And sadder than that she knew he wouldn't even mind I could be in someone else's story, In someone else's life and he could be in mine. I don’t see a reason to be lonely, I can take my chances further down the line. And if that girl I knew should ask my advice Oh, I wouldn't hesitate, she needn't ask me twice. Go now! I'd tell her that for free. Trouble is, the girl is me. The story is, the girl is me.

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

fuck you for making me think i was important to you

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

[oceanfrontliz-blog]

Liz winced involuntarily at Nick’s questions, eyes closing and fingers jerking away from his own as they curled inward, clutched at her chest as if she’d been burned. No one had ever asked her that. No one had ever so quickly and thoroughly slipped through the cracks in her (once-thought) impenetrable armor and found the secret sorrows she kept locked away deep inside. And here was this stranger, this mystery man high up on the hill locked away in his ivory tower, staring deep into her soul and figuring her out in seconds.

It was unnerving, and in a very odd yet painful way also a bit of a relief.

She’d played so long at living, at being a real person instead of a ghost that had possessed the body of some unfortunate socialite girl. Mimicking the things she knew they expected from her—feeding herself vodka and wine and gin to keep the haze around her mind so that no one would be able to clearly look at her and realize the fraud they’d all put on a pedestal. Maybe for a few years she had been blessed with being one of them, being real, being human… (Starburst images of Ian’s face flashed before her eyes, haunting her with his smile.) But as Nick had so easily seen, her humanity had been nothing more than a  dream, too easily replaced by another more human, more kind than she could ever begin to be.

“It’s fine.” Liz said quietly (almost timidly) after a moment, still clutching her curled hands to her chest, head bowed ever so slightly so that her long blonde hair fell in curtains around her face, hiding those eyes he’d so easily read. “It’s just… It still hurts to think about.” She swallowed the lump in her throat, once more trying to fade back into the façade of a girl she had been playing all of her life.

Liz was thankful then for how Nick so easily backed away. How quickly he moved on to something else, leaving her to lick at the wounds he had unintentionally torn wide open in quiet dignity and peace. She lifted her head slightly as he teased her, a small smile playing across her own lips. “The great Nick McLain was once of the plebeians? Be still my heart. Half this city would disown you in a second if they knew.” She teased back, voice still somewhat heavy with contained emotion. “Of course, they’d come crawling back in a heartbeat once they realized those with the real money and power don’t care as long as you still can run with the big guys. Then again, I suppose I’d be happy to see your house parties a little less packed. Easier to spot someone you’re looking for in a smaller crowd.” Liz glanced over at Nick then, almost curiously before turning her gaze back to the food he was cooking and her hands that she had let fall to lay gently cupping each other in her lap.

It had been a blessing that Liz had never seen Ian here. Perhaps that was part of why this house had felt like an oasis for her life. Nothing here was tainted with a memory of Ian Porter and everything he’d meant to her. Him who she first gave her heart without reservation. Him who she would have died for if he asked it.

Part of her wondered why she had stayed here in this town where every damn street corner held a memory of the few years of her life when Liz had actually felt happy. She could have gone anywhere. Mother hated that she even stayed at the beach house—said that if her Father had ever  really cared he would have kept them all together instead of running off with his floozy of a mistress—so she would have gladly sent Liz off anywhere else in the world. (Not to mention that Liz was certain her mother would have been relieved to not have to burden herself with actually acknowledging her party-mad daughter even breathed the same air she did.)

But here in this modern-day citadel, there was peace. She could sit in the dark and silence, head pleasantly fuzzy and revel in the utter quiet. Of course, there had also been nights where she had curled herself into a corner, wracked with memories she couldn’t push away as they washed over her in waves, cursing her with the pain of remembering every brilliant happy moment she’d had with Ian. Liz had sobbed for hours one night—the anniversary of the first time she’d told Ian she loved him and he’d said nothing in return. She still distinctly remembered wrapping her arms around a throw pillow and burying her face into its softness, hoping to muffle her cries from anyone else who may have taken to wandering the premises. Later Liz had blamed the emotional turmoil on a bit more tequila than even she was used to having, but she knew the truth. She’d thought she’d seen him with an arm wrapped around some other girl. Thought she had heard the lilt of his voice, smelled the scent of his cologne drifting on the breeze.

It had all been too much.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past you to be housing a little fairy child somewhere around here.” Liz replied with her own slight chuckle, forcibly pulling herself back to the present. “From one person with secrets to another, I know how they start to pile up.” Another quiet truth… He was dangerous, this one. The corners of Liz’s mouth twitched down a little again, almost angry at herself for being so cavalier. “I mean, from what I understand, once you collect one secret, they seem to follow you wherever you go, latching on with their claws and never letting go.” She raised an eyebrow once and let out another laugh. “Then again, I’m glad I’ve at least been given the full clearance to tear this place apart in order to discover your darkest secrets. I can’t imagine what the world would give to finally learn the truth about the great and mysterious Oz—Oh, I mean, McLain, pardon me.” Liz winked and leaned gently forward, watching Nick as he retreated into himself for a moment as he cooked. She knew the look of it. Knew sometimes it was best to leave things to themselves.

Yet when he spoke again, Liz paused in her movement from her chair and around the island. Her hand rested gently against the counter top, blue eyes curiously roving over the tall blonde man in front of her. Perhaps for the first time noticing that he too seemed to be carrying a burden that was just as heavy as her own. “I don’t think either of our skeletons would get along well anyway.” She said quietly as she continued on her journey towards the cupboards and absently pressed that auspicious kiss against his cheek.

Sometimes Liz wondered if there was such a thing as Fate. Like those red strings that some people said tied soulmates together, pulling them towards each other until they finally found one another for good. Had she realized what she had started by brushing her lips against Nick McLain’s cheek, Liz Kane might have told you yes—that fate or destiny or something in the stars had pushed her forward.

Now if only she could figure out why in the world she felt like she’d done all of this before…

Her mind was still reeling from the rush of jumbled fragments of memories when she felt Nick’s hand wrap around her own, stilling her as she stepped away to try and pull herself back together. Her head swiveled to catch his gaze and found herself trapped by his stare. It was like he was begging something of her; she could see it in his eyes. There was something roiling inside of him just like it was in her but for some reason he was looking at her with a far-off longing that Liz knew all too well.

After all, she still looked at Ian like that…

Soon enough, though, he squeezed her fingers gently and released her, both of them turning from each other as the moment faded away, laying the unresolved connection they’d shared between them. It left Liz feeling a little shaken and more than a bit vulnerable if she were to tell the truth. Her mind was reeling, pouring over every second of her life since she’d come to VA Beach, wondering why he felt so familiar so fast and even more so: why the hell had he looked at her like that?

“Oh, well, I happen to be a thief of the highest caliber.” Liz finally replied as her brain registered that Nick was still talking to her. She gave him another wide smile over her shoulder, trying to make sense of the jumble in his fridge. She’d found the syrup, but everything else was a mystery. “A gentlewoman thief, if you will. Only steal from the rich, and generally let them know somewhat in advance of what they can expect to be taken. Example A: by the time I found your wine cellar, I’m sure you’d figured out I wasn’t above palming a bottle or two. Permission’s usually not my forte, but it seemed appropriate this time, since I’d be sitting next to you in a second with my prize in hand.” Another light laugh echoed from Liz’s throat, though it was quickly cut off as she felt the heat of Nick’s body coming to step behind her.

She stilled like a frightened deer, a distinct contrast to the casual way he’d placed his hand on the door handle just below her own so that their fingers barely brushed. Not to mention how his arm had looped about her waist like they’d done this a million times before. Almost instinctually, Liz stepped back slightly, her body nearly leaning into his own as she continued to search the contents of the fridge—or at least appeared to do so. Wouldn’t admit it to his face—gentlewoman thief or not—but at the moment she found herself much more interested in feeling the gentle wafting of his breath against the back of her neck and the temptation to rest her back against his strong chest. Just for the first time in quite a while to let someone else carry the weight of being Elizabeth Kane.

But like all moments, it was gone just as soon as it had begun. Nick moved away with the berries in hand, leaving Liz with a bright red flush over her face as she wondered if it’d be too inconspicuous to shove her face in the freezer at the moment. Instead the girl just took a deep breath and grabbed the whipped cream as well before turning back around to Nick with a sly smirk upon her lips and laughter in her eyes.

“Well, I’m sure I’ll be the judge of that, Mister Nicholas McLain. After all, I’m the French Toast expert here.” She laughed a little and winked at the young man in front of her, following him back to sit back down in her chair with a pronounced plop as he set a plate before her. Liz set down the syrup on the counter, but held up the whipped cream can with a raised eyebrow, shaking it casually. “Of course, if anyone is having whipped cream on their French toast, one first must make sure it’s not poisoned.” She said with mock severity before spraying a liberal dose of the airy confection on her finger and popping it in her mouth, nonchalantly watching Nick the entire time. “Hmmm. I think we’ll be safe. Unless you want to make sure as well?” She asked, holding up another whipped cream-covered finger out to him with a raised eyebrow before grinning and licking her fingers clean once more. Okay, she’d gotten herself back. Pushed away the vulnerable girl of a few moments before and placed the ghost who ruled her life back in its rightful place, flirting with the billionaires and living a life free of worries.

This was something she could control much better than any boy who looked at her with the softness she’d seen in Nick’s eyes. “Now, you’ve talked a big game, Nick McLain. Are you a hundred percent sure your French toast will surpass all others that I’ve had in my life?” Liz continued as she sprayed a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of her own French toast and berries. She picked up her knife and fork, cutting herself a rather large chunk and brought it close to her face, mock inspecting the bite. “This is your final chance to back out, you know. No harm nor foul in calling it quits while you’re still ahead. I’ve only got fond imaginings of you and your French Toast at the moment.” The girl looked over at Nick with a small grin. “After I eat this, there’s no going back. You might be stuck with me for a while if it’s as good as you promise. I get rather attached to my French Toast, you know…”

And maybe, part of her wondered, she was getting a little attached to a certain reclusive billionaire with a knack for security protocols.

The Last Something That Meant Anything || Liznick