At the end of the day, they are all dogs who can’t help but chase a bone.
If Liam and I are going to be spending time together for the next few months, I need to get used to his constant presence and protection.
Maybe it should bother me more but it doesn’t. I’ve been on both sides of the spectrum with men—begging them for scraps of attention and leaving at the first hint of disinterest. What I haven’t experienced is a man who would willingly give me his timeandrespect.
I have no idea what to expect today. Aside from a few of Stella and Daisy’s friends, it’ll be our usual group—my mom and Grady’s parents, with Lexi’s parents sometimes joining in. Then there are my three siblings, Grady, his sister and her husband, and Lexi, Knox, and Lucas. Mentally checking everyone off is confusing for me, but Liam follows me into Asher’s house with the same confidence he adorns every morning.
Asher’s small cottage is a beachfront property that leads straight to the shore. Daisy quickly became a little water bug when Grady moved them from Phoenix to Amada Beach last summer, so her party will be outside. As I hoped, there are a few people in the kitchen, breaking up the large group a little.
Lexi told me yesterday that my entire family was aware that I was “bringing someone.” Just as suspected, shedoesn’t buy into our vague excuse. I didn’t admit anything to her, but out of everyone in town, I never expected she would.
“Lyp, you’re here.” My mom claps her hands together at the sight of me, as if I would miss this.
I give Liam a look that says,don’t call me that.It’s more serious than when he calls me honey. Lyp is one of those things that is mildly annoying but affectionate from my family. Asher and Hudson started calling me Lypie when they were learning to talk, and it stuck thirty years later.
Mostly, I don’t want to hear the way my childhood nickname rolls off Liam’s tongue. Not when I’m starting to love the way he says my full name more than anyone else.
Turning around, I smile at my mom and Selena. Along with Pippa, they’re the women who have shaped me, for better or worse.
Out of my siblings, I share the most features with my mother—strawberry-blonde hair, high cheekbones, and warm brown eyes. We even laugh the same, though it’s more of a snicker than anything else. In our souls, we’re similar too. So much so that it’s impossible not to see my worst traits mirrored back at me some days. There’s no one better at empathizing with me, and misunderstanding me, all in the same breath.
Selena, on the other hand, has light brown skin and dark mocha curls with gray eyes. She has the same complexion as Grady, but Blake inherited her looks and silver eyes.
“We just got here,” I say and hug each of them. Deciding to bite the bullet, I hold a hand out in Liam’s direction. “This is Liam—Stanley’s nephew.”
Selena’s smile blooms across her face, but my mother’s eyes bounce between us curiously.
“I was wondering when we would meet,” Selena greets him warmly. “I’m Selena, Grady’s mom.”
As far as I know, he still hasn’t met Grady, but he doesn’t correct Selena. There’s a split second of nervousness whenhis eyes meet my mom’s. It’s gone so quickly, I must have imagined it.
“This is my mom,” I quickly add. “Mrs. Davies.”
My mom snorts and shakes her head. “It’s nice to meet you, Liam, but call me Bonnie.”
“Bonnie,” he repeats with a smile and nod.
Rolling my eyes, I pop out my hip and point at her. “That’s not what you told my high school boyfriends.”
She tilts her head and assesses me before asking, “Is Liam your boyfriend?”
“That’s not what I said,” I retort, feeling like a teenager again under her attention.
Before she can ask anything else, Liam steps in. “We’re friends—at least until I can convince your daughter to give me a chance to take her out on arealdate.”
“Is that so?” my mom asks with a raise of her eyebrows, coming off far too impressed for my liking.
I appreciate Liam taking the heat off of me more than he probably realizes though. He did it in a way that leaves room for assumptions and rumors but feels casual, new.
“Oh,” Liam blurts out and holds the bouquet toward my mom. “These are for you. I hope sunflowers are okay.” There’s an unexpected shyness to him, and it grows when he looks at Selena. “I’m sorry, I didn’t kn—”
She waves him off. “No apologies. These are beautiful.”
“They are,” my mom agrees. “Thank you, Liam. I’m sure Asher has a vase around here.” The last bit is more to herself, but Selena helps her check the cabinets.
As Tim walks through the back door, I catch Liam’s eye. He winks, seeming to imply,don’t worry, I’ve got this.
Stepping forward, he introduces himself to Grady’s father, who is protective but fair in his judgment of people. We grew up joking about Tim’sfeelings, ranging from mundane declarations of encouragement to supposed prophecies. The man told his adolescent son he was basically destined to marry Vivi. No pressure, right?
