Page 60 of Finding My Forever

I forced myself to ignore that reminder. “No, it’s really perfect.”

As we walked along the avenues, Liam pointed out buildings and acted like a true tour guide. He held my hand the whole way, even when he was showing me something. He lifted both of our hands, making me laugh.

When we came up to Bryant Park, he took us off the sidewalk and onto a path. Street performers and artists were sprinkled throughout, all vying for my attention.

“Look!” I pointed with my free hand to a man spray painting a large canvas. I tugged Liam over so we could watch the artist work. He already started on what looked to be a galaxy.

We watched for a few minutes as several planets appeared.

“It’s magical. I never knew spray paint could do that.”

Liam finally dragged me away so we could walk through the rest of the park. “It’s refreshing seeing the city through your eyes. I focus so much on getting to where I need to be that I forget to take a look around.”

I smiled up and him, and he ducked down for a quick peek on my cheek. My heart hammered against my chest every time he did something like that. It always took me by surprise. My brain couldn’t comprehend that he was interested in me. Even as we were holding hands. I couldn’t believe he was mine. Well, at least for the week.

Liam led us around until we met up with Sophia and Eli again. He gestured wide to the building in front of us. “The New York City Public Library.”

It was everything and more than what I imagined from pictures. The lions, the arches, the grand steps. It was perfection.

“I’m in love.”

“Oh, good. The bibliophile comes all the way to New York and falls in love with a library.” Eli rolled his eyes at me.

I ignored him and looked to Liam. “Can we go in?”

He smiled kindly. “Of course.”

We walked up the stairs and entered the building. I took it in with awe. “Where do we start?”

Eli rocked on his feet. “The exit?”

I turned and pointed at him. “You won’t ruin this for me.”

He held up his hands and gestured toward Sophia. “Let’s go check out the gift shop.”

Liam took my hand again and led us up the staircase.

We wandered the halls and explored the rooms. Each was better than the one before, but Liam had obviously saved the best for last.

“This is the reading room.”

My jaw was on the floor.

The rows and rows of people at the tables, each with piles of books.

I found my heaven.

“Come on.” He tugged me along the perimeter of the room while I studied every inch of the floor, books, ceiling, and people in the room.

“This is amazing.”

He paused and smiled. “I knew you’d love it.”

Eli threw a fit on the way to the Morgan Library. One was enough for him.

“If you don’t want to go in you don’t have to. There’s only two rooms I want to show April.”

That was all he needed to hear. “Okay, call us when you’re done!”