Page 84 of Landing Liam

She gives me a tight smile, her narrowed eyes promising retribution. “I meant to.”

“What’s that?” I ask, nodding toward the photo she’s clutching like it’s top secret.

Her lips press into a thin line, and she swallows hard before slowly lowering the photo. “It’s an exposure shot I took at the top of the mountain a few nights ago.”

I take a step closer, the dim red light making the shadows shift across her face. “Can I see?”

She hesitates for a moment before handing it over. The glossy paper feels cool and smooth between my fingers as I hold it up to the faint light. The image is hauntingly beautiful—an ethereal shot of the mountain at dusk, the sky streaked with deep blues and purples, the snow glowing softly like it’s lit from within. There’s something raw and vulnerable about it, like the mountain itself is baring its soul.

“This is incredible, Em,” I say, genuinely impressed.

She crosses her arms, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “It’s not finished. I was just checking it before I make adjustments.”

“Well, finished or not, it’s amazing,” I insist, handing it back to her. “You’ve got an eye for this.”

Her lips twitch, but she doesn’t smile fully. “Thanks. What are you doing up here anyway?”

“I needed to get away for a bit,” I admit, glancing around the room. “Thought I’d check in on you.”

Her gaze softens, and she tilts her head. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I say, though my voice lacks conviction. “Just… a lot going on.”

“Did you talk to Zach and Lyla?” Emmy asks.

I swallow hard. “Yeah, talked to Zach. Turns out he needed the cash to pay for his mom’s medical bills.”

“And Lyla?” She raises an unimpressed eyebrow.

“My lawyer dealt with her.” I smirk. “If she sells anymore stories about me, or anyone in the snowboarding world, let’s just say she’ll be in a lot of trouble.”

Emmy doesn’t press, just nods and sets the photo back on the table. “You know where to find me if you need to talk.”

The weight in her words, the way she doesn’t push but offers her quiet support, is exactly what I need right now. For a moment, we just stand there in the glow of her world, the silence stretching comfortably between us. It’s a reminder that, even in the chaos, there’s still a place where things can feel steady.

“Actually,” I exhale heavily, my fingers nervously fidgeting at my sides, “there is something I wanted to talk to you about.”

Emmy turns to me fully, her brow arched. “Are you kicking me out?”

“No.” I shake my head firmly. “I was kind of hoping the opposite.”

Her head tilts slightly, her blue eyes narrowing with curiosity. “What do you mean?”

“I want to sell you the condo,” I say, letting the words hang in the air.

She blinks, clearly caught off guard. Then, she laughs softly. “I can’t afford this place, Liam. Let’s be real.”

“You can,” I reply gently, my voice steady. “I want to sell it to you at a price you can afford. I don't care about the loss.”

Her expression shifts, her amusement fading into something more serious. “Why are you doing this?” she asks, her voice softer now. “Is this about the MS?” Her eyes widen in concern. “You’re not planning to live with Mom and Dad permanently, are you?”

I shake my head quickly. “No, nothing like that. I just… I think it’s time I start acting like an adult. No more bachelor pad for me.”

She studies me, her sharp gaze searching my face for answers. “Why are you doing this for me?”

I clear my throat, the words feeling heavier than I expected. “Mom and Dad paid for my snowboarding career. They gave Mia The Gallery. They helped Taylor and Elle get into a house. I… I want to do something nice for you.”

Her lips part slightly, but no words come at first. Then, she smiles, though there’s a hint of vulnerability in her expression. “I’ll talk to the bank on Monday,” she offers. “Then I’ll get you a number.”