His hand stills, and I brace myself for the disappointment that could potentially come now that things have settled—that he'd be more than entitled to. But instead, he sucks in a slow breath, running his fingers through the ends of my hair.
“Tess,” he murmurs, twisting so he’s facing me fully. “I told you… you didn’t do anything wrong."
I nod, my throat tightening. “Maybe not wrong," I say. "But not truthful either—and I think that matters."
I do that thing where I squeeze my arms tight to my chest. I tell myself it's because I'm keeping the comforter in place so I don't flash him unexpectedly, but I know it's because even talking about this makes me uneasy.
I peer up at Liam, his gaze strong and steadfast, and it's the only thing that keeps me from stopping there.
"I have this habit of doing that," I continue instead. "Of holding things in. I know I do it, and honestly, I've never had much of a reason to care before now. But I think that's because I've never been with someone who was deserving of more—whowantedmore."
"I want all of you," Liam says, cradling my cheek.
I lean into his touch and smile. "I know. And I was actually really proud of myself for how open IthoughtI was being with you, but I realized that only really happened when we were talking aboutus. The Jo thing—it rattled me. But with everything going on with Ruthie and the game and you and your plans, I just naturally tuckedmyneeds away, and that's not fair to you—not when you make me feel nothing but safe to give you everything."
Liam swallows as he searches my expression, maybe thinking about how to respond, maybe just waiting to see if I'm finished. When I exhale a heavy breath, he takes my hand in his and squeezes gently.
"I don't think you have a malicious bone in your body, Tessa."
I scoff, rolling my eyes playfully. "Tell that to the soccer moms."
He tilts his head, letting a laugh slip out before he grows serious again. "My point is, I don't think you set out to hurt anyone. I think we all default to what feels familiar. Why do you think I was so back and forth with you the first week or so?"
"Because you were fed up with nannies, and I was late to my interview?"
He smothers a smile by sucking his teeth. "Okay, fair. But also… I spent a long time avoiding the way you made me feel—the way I craved you and your company. No matter how much I wanted you from the start, I tried my best to push you away. To stick with what was comfortable."
I grin, tracing the lines of his collarbone, remembering how far we've come in such a short time. "I'm glad you caved," I admit.
Goosebumps ripple across his skin as he sucks in a slow breath. He places my chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting it so my eyes meet his. "I didn't cave," he argues gently. His eyes dip to my lips, and I pray that he kisses me. "You just chipped away at my walls, little by little. Every conversation, every smile, every moment with Ruthie. All of it showed me that letting someone in doesn't have to cost me."
I gasp when his words tell me just how similar we've been all along.
"And that's what I'll do for you," he continues. "I'll show you little by little that it's okay to give more."
"You've already started to," I jump in, remembering the quiet moments where we talked about my worries and hesitations about Ruthie, about going slow.
He reaches out and tucks a hair behind my ear. "I hope so," he says. "But I don't plan on stopping anytime soon."
Between his words and the way he's looking at me, I can't wait any longer. I sit forward slightly and press my lips to his.
Liam pulls me closer, his arm still draped around mine, but the kiss stays gentle—soft and unhurried. We stay like that, neither of us tryingto take it any further, and all I can think about is how good it feels to fully sink back into that certainty he so generously offers.
Small or not, hiding my true feelings last night did more than just spare me from talking about myself. Without that moment, I might not have recognized how easily I was slipping back into an unhealthy habit—one that has no place in a relationship capable of so much more than I’m used to. I know I won't get it right every time, but I also know now that the right peoplewantthe mess. And even better—they'll fight to unpack it.
"Hey, have you thought anymore about life after retirement?" I ask, still thinking about our conversation.
"Yeah, actually," he says. "I think I have an idea, but I still have to sort through the details."
I sit forward slightly, excited. "What is it?"
Liam's lips turn up as he brushes his knuckles down my cheek. "As soon as I know the answer to that, you'll be the first person I tell."
With that, he kisses me again, and I settle back into him.
"What do you think?" Liam whispers when we slowly break apart. My eyes flutter open, then flick between his. "Do you still want to tell Ruthie today?"
I pause then realize I don't need to think about it. "Yeah." I nod. "I think we should."
