When You're Not Trying To

The Twilight Zone

Reba was almost in a daze during the whole lunch--if it can even still be called lunch--with Liam, together with Melissa and David. She responded and conversed like her usual self, but really, it felt to her like she was having an out of body experience.

Of all the Williams that could have shown up in that hotel restaurant, Liam Neeson was the last one in her mind. In fact, she didn't even consider him at all.

Liam Neeson?! What in Sam hell's goin' on?!

She only saw him in movies and TV and...never in a million years she thought she'd have sort of a set-up meeting--she's not calling it a date--with Liam dadgummit Neeson. She definitely felt like she was in an episode of The Twilight Zone.

As Liam was telling a funny story about his son, Reba remembered David's words saying William had been carrying a torch for her for years--another thing that sounded completely ridiculous now that she knew who the William feller was. It just didn't sound possible to her. Had it been someone else, Reba probably would have been flattered--even ecstatic; but now, the knowledge actually made her self-conscious; her insecurities were rearing their ugly heads and were messin' with her. And as if to mock her further, she remembered an article she read years ago saying that Liam was an ex-boyfriend of Helen Mirren. Helen Mirren for cryin' out loud!

"He's been carrying a torch for you." Nope. Not real. There was no way David was tellin' the truth.

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Liam looked at her expecting her answer, but she wasn't listening--

"I'm sorry--" Reba could feel the blood creeping in her cheeks. "I got a little distracted," she replied, giggling nervously and took a sip of her red wine.

Liam smiled understandingly. "I was just asking if you'll be visiting New York anytime soon?"

Melissa and David were looking at Reba expectantly, but for some reason, the singer's brain went blank for a couple of seconds leaving her aghast. She regained her bearing back after what felt like minutes, though it was just a second. "Oh, no. I don't think so. I have a show lined up in Nashville and Vegas."

Liam nodded, not at all fazed by Reba's seeming lost behavior, though he was starting to get the feeling that the singer wasn't really interested in him. He was doing his best to make the most of the hour that he was given to sort of win Reba so he could get her number, but it was starting to look like the singer couldn't be bothered and was basically just tolerating his presence. So much for Liam's hope.

The actor took a deep breath and sipped his water, trying to hide his wince.

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The lunch came and went, and apart from Reba's quiet moments time and again, Liam made a new friend in Melissa. The two hit it off like old pals because of the blonde's goofiness. The Irish actor loved having a good laugh, and Melissa definitely gave him plenty.

David was the first one to say goodbye. He had a meeting he forgot about 'til he got a call from his assistant asking where the hell he was.

After the musician left, the trio talked a little more, though the conversations were predominantly between Melissa and Liam.

Reba was mostly just listening, though partaking every now and again--laughing whenever Mel or Liam made a quick joke.

However, for someone who prided in being talkative and one who loved talking about herself, she knew she was being awfully quiet--she wasn't her usual self. Mel noticed it and gave Reba a couple of questioning looks when Liam was preoccupied with something else. Reba practically ignored the leers that Melissa's been throwing her way. The redhead blamed it on getting caught off guard with the Irish actor's presence. She managed to convince herself that there was no way, no way at all that Liam Neeson liked her; this was all just a well-orchestrated joke organized by David because he was really a prankster, and he did say when they were in Italy for CFN several years ago that he would get Reba one day.