She smiles like she understands. And I know she’s trying. It’s enough.
At least I tell myself it is.
“What are you doing after this?” Vivi offers me an olive branch out of the uncomfortable conversation. “Blake has swim lessons, but Lexi and I were thinking about getting an early dinner.”
I dig through my purse, more for a distraction than in search of anything, and nod. “Yeah, I could eat.”
Smiling brightly, happy to not be stuck in the awkwardness, Vivi loops her arm through mine and pulls me back to the group. It doesn’t take long to check out and schedule the follow up appointments for alterations.
Stepping out onto the sidewalk, I take my first deep breath in hours. The small shop felt too stuffy, too similar to a burning building that my instincts were telling me to get the hell out of there.
Out here, I’m surrounded by the crisp, salty breeze and the overwhelming florals from the flower shop next to us. I’m only half-listening as my mom and Selena plan to take the girls, plus Blake’s boys, to a book fair at the local library.
I’m the first to turn around after goodbyes and walk away from the store. If it weren’t for my sister and friend next to me, I’m not certain I wouldn’t be sprinting back to Brighter Daze to bury myself in orders for a few hours.
Maybe that’s a better idea than going out to eat with them right now. Let them celebrate and me decompress.
We’re rounding the corner back to the bakery as I try to come up with one reason,anyreason, to not go eat with them. I look up the street when Lexi lets out a low whistle.
Liam is leaning against the passenger door of his 4Runner, texting on his phone. He’s totally casual, making the entire gesture look natural rather than out of place.
“Do you guys have plans?” Vivi is more excited at the prospect than hurt.
I shake my head. “Uh, no. Not that I remember.”
There’s never been a man who gives me his time so willingly, unless it comes with a hundred expectations. To even say Liam “goes out of his way” feels wrong because of how natural he makes it. He’s changed his entire morning routine around to start his day with me.
Still, I wait for the rug to be pulled out from under me so he can laugh when I fall on my ass.
Some of that insecurity fizzles out when he looks up and a big, dopey grin takes over his entire face when he sees me. I’m only a few feet away from him by the time he’s slipping his phone in his pocket and standing at his full height.
“Hi, honey,” he murmurs and brushes a lock of hair behind my ear.
“What are you doing here?” It’s a quiet inquiry, too tired to put any fight into it after today.
He glances behind me, where Vivi and Lexi are giving us space. “Just wanted to check in, see how dress shopping went.” My brows raise in surprise, and I’m met with the deep, churning intensity of his blue eyes. It’s the look I’m starting to interpret as concern. In a louder voice, he adds, “I thought maybe we could grab dinner and see a movie.”
“How old school of you,” I tease and cross my arms.
“Don’t fix what isn’t broken, right?” He holds the passenger dooropen for me.
Twisting my lips to the side, I look at Vivi and Lexi. Both are sporting encouraging expressions.
“Oh, you know what?” Lexi says in a dramatically surprised voice. “I forgot there was a huge inventory delivery. We can order something and Vivi can help me with that.”
Vivi does her best to fight a laugh at Lexi’s obvious acting but nods. “I’ll call you later. Love you.”
Not needing another reason to take some space fromeverythingright now, I get in the vehicle. “Love you too.”
When she and Lexi head inside, I drop my head back and watch Liam round the hood. He gets in, looking satisfied that I agreed, but doesn’t say anything. His arms flex with each little movement—turning the ignition on, buckling his seatbelt in, adjusting the AC. The most mundane things in life feel a little more alluring with him.
He eyes me, scowling when he notices I haven’t put my seatbelt on. Smirking, I roll my eyes and grab the buckle.
Stopping before it clicks into place, I meet Liam’s eye, offering him a second of my vulnerability. “You have no idea how badly I needed this escape.”
Leaning forward, he wraps his hand over mine and locks the seatbelt around me. “I thought you might. Let’s get out of here, yeah?”
Nodding, I swallow down these emotions—the discomfort of being openly seen and regarded—and watch my familiar hometown pass by as we head to the movie theater in Aurora Hills.
