“Shit.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t realize…”
“I told you I’m serious about her.” I wouldn’t have risked our friendship if I weren’t. “I want your blessing. Yours and River’s.”
“Oh please.” He rolled his eyes. “Do you even know how happy River will be? That kid is going to lose his damn mind.” The corner of his lips twitched with a smile.
“I’m glad to hear that because I also want to adopt him. If he’s okay with it, of course.”
Liam shook his head, his expression going solemn. Had I pushed too far? Asked for too much too soon? He hadn’t actually forgiven me, but I wanted him to realize just how important Wren and River were to me. And what had happened with Tessa was a painful reminder that life was too short to hold back.
“We just lost Tessa,” I said. “Tristan is grieving. I don’t know what the fuck is going on with Asher. But I know that the four of us need one another, and I need you.”
“Yeah, well, you should’ve fucking thought about that before you fucked my sister. I can’t believe…Tits McGee.” He looked like he was going to be sick.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Just when I’d thought I was making headway…
“Do you want to punch me again? Would that make you feel better?” I asked, stepping closer still. “Come on.” I held my arms wide, making myself an easy target. “Do it.”
He came closer so that we were face-to-face, his nostrils flaring, fists clenched. “I’m so pissed at you, I can barely see straight.”
“So, hit me.”
For a minute, I thought he was going to. He reared back his fist. He glared at me. But then he dropped his hand, shoulders slumped as the fight drained from him. “No one needs me anymore.”
“What?” I jerked my head back, getting whiplash from the conversation. “What are you talking about?”
He sank down onto the curb. “I’ve always been Wren’s protector. Now you’ll be filling that role. I’ve always been the cool guy in River’s life. Now, he looks to you to hang out. I’ve always been your best friend. And now that’s going to change.”
“Liam.” I joined him. “I’m not replacing you. Love isn’t like a pavlova.”
“What the heck is a pavlova?” He groaned. “Don’t tell me Wren got you hooked on that British show?”
I laughed but realized I needed to express my point more clearly. “We brought one with us tonight. You’ll love it. Anyway.” I draped my arm around his shoulder. “That’s not my point. My point is that love isn’t a competition. It’s not an either-or decision. You can love ice creamandpastries, right?”
He nodded.
“They’re both unique and delicious,” I said. “Just like River can love a cream puff like you—” I smirked, grunting when he elbowed me in the side “—and a cheesecake like me.”
“You’re a cheesecake, all right,” he deadpanned.
We sat in silence a moment before he said, “Well, I guess there’s nothing left to say.”
I dropped my head with a heavy sigh. Liam was a good friend. A good man. Why couldn’t he see past his hurt and anger to forgive me? To support my relationship with his sister? Especially when he could see how happy we made each other. And how happy River was.
Liam stood, and I resigned myself to the fact that this was going to be even more difficult than I’d imagined. But then…then, he shocked the hell out of me by offering me his hand. I looked up at him, noticing the sheen in his eyes.
“I can’t think of a man I respect more than you,” he said, his voice clogged with emotion. “Welcome to the family, brother.”
I stood and placed my hand in his, and we shook before I pulled him into a hug. “Thank you,” I said, clapping my hand on his back as relief and joy spread through me like wildfire. “Thank you. I swear I will be the best damn husband to Wren and father to River.”
He laughed, releasing me. “I know you will.” He tilted his head. “But if you ever—and I do meanever—try talking to me about your sex life.” He sliced a finger across his throat. “We’re done.”
I chuckled. “I think I can handle that.”
“Oh.” He held up a finger. “One more thing.”
“Yeah?” I asked as we headed back to the house.
“You ask Asher or Tristan to be your best man, and you’re dead to me.”
