Page 67 of Landing Liam

But I’m not steady. My career and his future feel like they’re colliding in a way I didn’t see coming. If I write the story, I betray the man I’m starting to fall for. If I don’t, I lose the job I’ve worked years to build.

Liam glances back, his brow furrowing slightly as he notices my hesitation. “You okay?” he asks. He’s patient and calm in a way that only makes my heart ache more.

I nod, forcing a smile I hope looks convincing. “Yeah,” I manage. But inside, everything is threatening to pull me under. As I follow him inside, I wonder if I’m about to find the strength to fight for him—or if I’ll have to let him go to save myself.

The warmth of the house wraps around me like a comforting embrace. The rich, inviting aroma of coffee mingles with the unmistakable scent of something sweet baking in the oven. The hum of conversation and bursts of laughter echo through the entryway, a stark contrast to the chaos brewing in my mind. Peace. The air here is heavy with it, a sad reminder of what was missing in my own childhood.

Liam steps aside to let me take it all in. There must be twenty people crammed into the kitchen and living room. Kids weave between legs, laughing and playing, their energy filling every corner of the space. Adults talk over one another, their voices rising and falling in a symphony of familial chaos.

“Wow,” I whisper, taking a step closer to Liam.

He clears his throat, but no one notices. A grin tugs at his lips. “Hang tight,” he murmurs to me before raising his voice. “Guys!”

The room quiets, heads turning toward us, and suddenly, I’m under a dozen curious gazes. My pulse quickens, but before I can overthink it, a voice calls out from the kitchen.

“Margaret!”

Jenny, Liam’s mom, appears from behind the crowd, her arms spread wide as she strides toward me. Her warmth is immediate and disarming. Before I can say anything, she wraps me in a tight hug, holding on as if we’ve known each other forever.

“I should have known it was you,” she says, pulling back just enough to beam at me. Her eyes are kind, her smile filled with genuine affection.

“Me?” I manage, caught between nerves and surprise.

“Yes, you,” Jenny says, her hands still on my shoulders. “He’s been smitten ever since he first mentioned you. And then he said you were a journalist. Should have known.”

My cheeks heat as I glance at Liam, who’s rubbing the back of his neck, a faint blush creeping up his face. His family watches us closely, amused smiles playing on their faces.

“You’re just in time,” Jenny says, stepping back and gesturing toward the bustling kitchen. “We’re about to put the finishing touches on breakfast. Come, sit. Make yourself at home.”

The room bursts back into chatter as everyone resumes their conversations, but I can feel the curiosity lingering in the air. Liam nudges me gently. “Margaret?”

I nod, the tension in my chest easing just a little. “Long story,” I whisper. But the warmth of Jenny’s welcome doesn’t fully drown out the gnawing guilt and uncertainty swirling inside me. Not yet.

“You can tell me later,” Liam says with a teasing wink before his cousin, Izzy, steps forward, her sharp green eyes sparkling with curiosity.

She extends her hand with a welcoming smile. “Nice to meet you, Margaret.”

“It’s Maggie,” I correct quickly, shaking her hand. “Margaret’s my full name.”

Izzy nods knowingly, but before she can say more, Liam’s sister, Mia, sidles up beside her, wearing a grin that spells trouble. “So,” She begins, her tone light but laced with amusement. “You were totally snooping around for dirt on my brother when you showed up at The Gallery, weren’t you?”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. “I… I mean…”

“It’s fine.” Mia waves me off with a casual flick of her wrist, clearly unbothered. “We have journalists in the family. We get it. Let me introduce you to Jack and Ava. Jack runs the Windwood Times, and Ava’s been trying to step back from operations. If you’re ever looking for a new gig, I know they’d–”

“Mia,” Liam interrupts, his voice carrying a low warning growl. “Don’t.”

“What?” Mia feigns innocence, her eyebrows lifting as she holds her hands up in mock surrender. “I’m just saying, if things go sideways, Maggie should know her options.”

“Mia,” Liam says again, this time sharper, his jaw tightening. His protectiveness is unmistakable, and while part of me feels guilty for the reason I came here, another part is grateful for the barrier he’s putting up.

“I’m kidding,” Mia says with a cheeky grin, clearly unrepentant. She nudges me lightly on the arm. “But seriously, come meet Jack and Ava. They’re in the kitchen strategizing. They’ll want to hear what you’ve uncovered so far.”

I glance at Liam, unsure. He gives me a small nod, his expression softening. “They’re good people. They just want to help.”

With that, I follow Mia into the kitchen, trying to ignore the way my stomach twists at the thought of presenting what little I’ve found so far. All the while, Liam stays close, a steady presence that I’m growing more and more thankful for with each passing moment.

Jack has golden-brown hair, neatly combed, and an air of quiet authority. Ava, on the other hand, is stunning, with long dark hair that frames her oval-shaped face in soft waves. There’s a spark in her eyes that suggests she’s as sharp as she is beautiful.