Page 71 of The Love Chase

It was strange how different a place could feel after just a couple of weeks. The last time Liam and I were at Dina’s Restaurant together was the day that Bridget had revealed her fake marriage plan. I had still been angry with Liam for leaving, and he had been confused as to why.

But now we sat here as newlyweds, devouring burgers dripping with all the toppings our mouths could physically hold, dunking french fries into chocolate milkshakes, and laughing like old times. His foot kept pressing against mine beneath the table, and Dina gave us sly looks from the corner, but I barely noticed. I was too lost in the happiness of this moment.

It might have been just like old times, but something felt different. Better.

Neither of us had managed to brave the feelings talk yet, which was the only thing dampening my spirits, but it was easily pushed aside. Something was different between us, and I hoped that in time, Liam would be honest and open up about how he was really feeling.

Maybe then I’d be brave enough to tell him what I’d wanted to tell him for years.

I love you, Liam.

We had to talk about it at some point. We couldn’t keep acting like this, stealing kisses, and behaving like a real couple without having that conversation. Could we?

I tried to push it from my mind, at least for now. I didn’t want to ruin this moment of bliss we were living in. It would be too easy for reality to come crashing back in, and I wasn’t ready for that. I liked our little bubble of mushy gushy mixed with denial.

I brushed my hands on my napkin in my lap, noticing the tickets I had shoved into my pocket earlier in the day. My heart skipped a beat, and I pulled them out, setting them on the table. Liam eyed them, raising a brow.

“So, uh…” Why was I even asking him about this? He would absolutely hate it and be so bored. It was not his thing at all. But I also didn’t want to go with anyone else, not that I really had anyone else I could bring with me anyway. Plus, the tickets were too expensive to let the other one go to waste.

He waited patiently for me to continue, slurping up the last of his shake.

I started talking before I lost my nerve. Why the heck I was nervous to ask my husband to attend a convention with me, I couldn’t tell you.

“So, there’s this exhibit this weekend, the Storm Chasing Convention, and I have two tickets”—I pointed to them on the table as evidence—“and I know it’s not your kind of thing and you’ll probably hate it, but I was wondering if you’d—”

“Of course I’ll come with you,” Liam interrupted. A smile spread across his face, his green eyes crinkling in the corners.

“You will?” I didn’t know what I’d expected, but it wasn’t for him to agree so easily. I searched his face, trying to find any trace of hesitation or proof that he didn’t actually want to come.

Liam leaned forward over the table. “If it means that much to you, Em, I’m happy to come with you. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

A smile curled at my lips. “Really?”

“Really.”

Before I could erupt in squeals of happiness, Dina appeared. “Can I get you two cuties anything else?”

Liam laughed at whatever expression was on my face and then said to Dina, “I think we’re good.” He handed her a wad of cash, which definitely looked like too much for what we had eaten, and Dina’s eyes widened as she took it. “Keep the change.”

She smiled at him, winking at me before she sauntered back into the kitchen, a pep in her step.

When I finished my milkshake, Liam asked, “Ready, Beaver?”

I didn’t have buck teeth, but I tucked my upper lip into my gums and said in a goofy voice, “Ready!”

Liam laughed again, and I felt the sound all the way to my toes.

We left Dina’s without touching, but the moment we stepped into the hot summer sun, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the shade next to the building.

Liam stepped toward me, leaving mere inches between us. Heat emanated off him. He took my hands and held them between his, lifting them to press a kiss to them before holding them against his chest.

What is happening?

And then Liam released my hands, drawing me against his chest. My arms went around him automatically. We had hugged so many times throughout our friendship, but this felt different. The way his hands traced gentle lines against my back, the way his heart thudded beneath my head.

I wasn’t about to argue or fight it. I’d been waiting my whole life to be hugged by Liam like this. After a few more moments, I felt him stiffen. I braced myself for him to pull away, tried to hold inside the words just a little bit longer.

Liam started to pull back, but instead of letting go, he cupped my cheeks with his hands.