“Do you think he suspects something?” I ask, curling my fingers into Liam’s shoulder.
“Not even a little bit.” Moving our hands that are locked together, he brings them to my chin to pull my attention away from Nate and back to him. He’s so chill and relaxed that I can’t help but let out some of the tension in my shoulders. “Had nothing to do with him and everything to do with your mom.”
My head rears back. “What?”
His eyes move to the side without turning his head and I follow the path they would take, to find my parents across the dance floor, moving at their own pace to the music. They’ve been dancing through the entire song, so I’m not surprised to see them there, but I am surprised to see my mom is laser focused on Liam and me.
“Nate is completely consumed by Savanna. He’s hardly been able to look at anything but her all day,” he explains in a hushed whisper. “But your mom has been watching us since I came over to you at the table. And any time we’ve been anywhere near each other today.”
My eyebrows knit together. “How do you know that?”
“Because I’m Nate’s second. I’m trained to observe everything when he’s distracted.”
He’s so nonchalant about it. Like it’s the most natural thing in the entire world. And for him, I suppose it is. But for me, it’s not. For me it’s downright heart melting. To know that he looks after my brother in that way makes me want to burst into tears of joyful emotion and confess everything I feel for him. Even though they aren’t at work, Liam has Nate’s back.
I swallow thickly, pushing down the urge to say things I won’t be able to take back. “You never stop looking out for him, do you?”
“Never.” Liam smiles, putting my hand up on his shoulder so he can use his now free one to brush his thumb across my cheek. “With one exception, I suppose.”
Me. He doesn’t need to say it. I know I’m the exception.
Tightening my arms around his neck, I pull myself closer, forcing him to drop his hand to wrap it around my waist. I press my face against the side of his neck, closing my eyes against the sting of tears.
Being the exception is the exact reason I have to give him up tomorrow.
Chapter 19
Liam
Wehaven’tspokenaword since we left the reception. Not that it was much of a reception by then. There were only a few people remaining by the time we made our way out of the ballroom, arms wrapped around each other under the guise of a fake romance.
Nate and Savanna left over an hour ago, and everyone else cleared out just before us. With Jordan a bridesmaid and me the best man, we waited around until most were gone, taking a final look through the place to see if anything had been forgotten.
It worked out that we were some of the last to go. It meant I got to hold her in the elevator, and take her hand all the way down the hallway until we reached her room. We both know tonight is goodbye, and getting to soak up every second before that moment comes feels important.
It also feels heavy. Goodbye is something that’s always been easy for me. After one night with a woman it’s easy to say, easy to do. At this point in my life, after doing it so often, it’s become natural to me. But this is different. It’s inevitable but it seems wrong. When we decided to do this, I thought I would be ready to say goodbye to her come Sunday. I thought it would be easy going home and going back to normal, but I’m finding that I hate the idea.
Which is fucked up. I don’t do this shit. I don’t do dating, or relationships, or sex for more than one night. I don’t let women in.Apparently I don’t let anyone in.
Except Jordan.
Tapping her card against the lock, I open the door and lead her inside quietly, tossing my suit jacket on top of her luggage rack. As the door closes with a soft click, I stop, turning to her. She looks perfect tonight. Today. I know I think that about her all the time, but I’ve committed so many moments from today to memory.
The way she smiled softly at me when I delivered Nate’s love letter. The blush that came over her as she was walking down the aisle at the ceremony. When she threw her head back and laughed so hard every muscle in her body shook during pictures.
The look in her eyes when we first danced together. Fuck, that one really got me. The same feeling from last night where my stomach tightened, and my chest constricted came back, and I didn’t want it to end. It’s the same feeling expanding through me right now as she gazes up at me.
Another moment I’m committing to memory.
“Promise me something,” I say in a hushed voice. There’s no need to whisper, but it seems strange to talk any louder than that.
The corners of her lips twitch. “Anything.”
Bringing my free hand to her cheek, I caress her soft skin with the back of my fingers before gently cupping her jaw. “Promise you’ll never forget this week.”
Jordan sucks in a breath, but her lips pull into a gentle smile. “I promise.”
I give her a nod, breathing becoming easier when she gives me her word. “Good.”
