I grab my clutch and head downstairs, my heart pounding with every step.
Liam is waiting outside my building, leaning against the car in a dark suit that should be illegal. His hair is styled, his beard trimmed, and when he sees me, his whole face lights up.
“Wow.” He straightens, eyes traveling over me slowly. “You look…wow.”
I smile, butterflies erupting in my stomach. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
He closes the distance between us and kisses me, right there on the sidewalk where anyone could see. His hand cups my face, his thumb brushing my cheek, and for a moment I forget to be nervous.
“Hi,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Hi.”
“Ready?”
“As I'll ever be.”
He opens the car door for me, and I slide into the back seat. He follows, immediately taking my hand and lacing our fingers together.
“Where are we going?” I ask as Hudson pulls into traffic.
“Le Nardin.”
My eyes widen. It’s one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city.
“I figured if we're doing this, we're doing it right.”
Where we'll definitely be seen. “Are you sure about this?”
“I'm sure.” He lifts our joined hands and kisses my knuckles. “I'm tired of hiding you, Avery.”
“People are going to have opinions.”
“Let them. I don't care what they think anymore.” His eyes are intense, serious. “The only opinion that matters to me is yours.”
My throat tightens with emotion. “You're really okay with this? With everyone knowing?”
“I'm more than okay with it. I want it.” He squeezes my hand. “Don't you?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “I do.”
Before I'm ready, Hudson is pulling up to the curb where a small crowd of photographers is already gathered.
Of course, there are photographers.
“Oh God,” I breathe.
“Hey.” Liam turns to face me fully. “We don't have to do this. If you're not ready, we can go somewhere else. Somewhere private. I won't be mad.”
I look at this man who has changed so much over the past few months. Who makes me laugh and challenges me and loves me in a way I never expected.
And I realize that I don't want to hide anymore either. “No.” I straighten my spine. “Let's do this.”
His smile could light up the entire city.
Hudson opens the door, and camera flashes immediately explode. Liam steps out first, then reaches back to help me out of the car, his hand firm and reassuring in mine.
The questions start immediately.
