The Gators lost. It was only by one when the next Oilers' batter hit a grand slam into the stands. But it was enough to end any chance of a comeback—and add yet another unexpected twist to the weekend.
For the past forty-eight hours, my mind has been sprinting to keep up with Ruthie in a town I barely know while trying to figure out where I'll unpack when we finally get home. And underneath all of that motion, I can't stop thinking about one thing—that moment with Liam in my hotel room.
At first, I was convinced that it meant something. That it had to considering the electricity between us. I put all roadblocks and realities aside and told myself that our split-second accident of tight muscles and tangled breaths happened for a reason. That it jump-started something in me I didn't realize had gone dark. Like I've been sleepwalking for months, and Liam Montgomery shook me awake.
But then, doubt set in.
In the next breath, I told myself it was nothing. He got a cramp, and I just so happened to be in the way. Liam is my boss, a professional baseball player and…my boss. I either imagined the chemistry or it was completely one-sided—thank you post-breakup emotions. There is no way Liam Montgomery, who I just started to believe can actually stand to be around me, felt more than just a spasm in that moment.
But with all that in mind, I'm still left contemplating everything. Is that what attraction really feels like, or did I just get caught up in it all? Should I even be thinking about someone else this soon? Was good enough with Trevor ever really enough at all? Or was the fire Liam started my body's way of saying I felt more in that hotel room than I ever did in my relationship?
I'm so confused.
Which is why I'm sitting here, in the aisle seat of the last row of the plane, waiting to see how our first real interaction since the incident unfolds. It's been almost two days since we really spent time together. I was busy with Ruthie considering Liam was busy with baseball, and I spent most of my free time on the phone with landlords looking for a place to live.
But I also avoided this moment as much as possible.
Burying myself in the same book from the flight over, I contemplate which would be better—him sitting next to me or in any other seat besides one of the two open spots in my row. On one hand, it would be a lot easier to pretend I don’t remember how he smelled or how his shadow loomed over me if he was further away. Maintaining the distance between us would give me space to remind myself that nothing really happened. Or ever should.
On the other hand, it would be nice to get it over with—to deal with the awkwardness if that's how it goes or to see if I was right—things really did change.
Before I can decide, I hear his nickname tossed around at the front of the plane just as my eyes glaze over the words on the pages in my lap. I pull my arms close to my chest as if that will somehow smother the heat that, once again, immediately grows there, and take one long breath.
Motion in front of me attempts to grab my attention as I glue my gaze to the chapter heading.
This is ridiculous.
The sound of footsteps and a familiar neon green swoosh grows closer as my eyes drop to the floor.
He probably doesn't even remember.
Ruthie's giggling echoes from the front of the plane, the perfect reminder—a grounding anchor. And I force myself to breathe.
Relax, Tessa. I'm sure it was nothing.
The footsteps stop in front of me.
"Hey," Liam says, his voice low and husky.
My stomach drops.
Looks like I'm screwed either way.
I follow the grey sweatpants that hang loosely around his hips—and should absolutely not be allowed on an aircraft—until I get to what truly paralyzes me.
Did I know Liam wore glasses? Thin black frames that somehow make his eyes look greener?
Holy shit.
Yep, totally screwed.
"Oh, hey," I manage. I aim for casual, but my greeting comes out more strangled than anything.
He smiles softly and nods toward the open seats. "May I?"
"Uh, yeah." I scurry out, sliding into the aisle. "Of course."
Liam takes one step closer, peering down at me for what I think is just a passing glance.
