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Tears filled my eyes as Liam kissed my cheek then let me go so I could maniacally flail my arms and lose my shit without causing him injury. “I love it, Gram. But most of all, I love you and all the faith you have in me. I will make you proud, I swear.”
“You already make me proud, sweetheart, and you always have. So, so proud.”
She pulled me into a hug, and I kissed the top of her head. “This is going to be amazing.”
Today would be a whirlwind, I could tell already. Between the fabulous O from Liam that had just wrecked me to the high from Gram naming the store after me, I don’t think I’d ever been this full of joy. I swung around for another look at the banner, then took in the tables full of my products, eyeing all of the things I had made with my own two hands. Tears filled my eyes.
I did that.Me.
How was it possible to be this happy?
My head had shot straight up to the clouds. I felt like running around Vi’s patio in a blissed-out zoomie circle like Cheddar was so fond of doing. However, I refrained and managed to keep up the pretense of being an adult—barely.
“There you are!” Jared waved as he crossed the parking lot toward me. “I’ve been looking all over for you, sweetie. You’re stunning in that dress. So lovely.” His eyes raked up and down as he reached for my hand. I shook it briefly before taking a step back.
Well shit.
Down to earth again.
Jared’s approach had proved that one hundred percent contentment was simply not possible. I would have to deal with him once and for all. He was clearly not ready to give up on whatever he thought we would be doing today.
“Rosemary,” he greeted Gram. “I couldn’t find anyone selling funnel cakes. I’m so sorry. How are your feet?”
She immediately sat in one of the chairs we’d left for us to sit in if things got slow, her eyes shifting to the side as she innocently shrugged. “I could swear that I heard someone mention funnel cakes.”
Liam’s possessive hands slid around my waist from behind before settling on my hips in an unmistakably clear declaration ofmine.
This should be interesting.
“She’s been here with me all morning,” Liam informed him. “What do you need?”
“Uh, nothing. I was going to introduce her to—um, a few people.”
I twisted in Liam’s arms. The expression on his face would have scared me if he weren’t using it on my behalf. My goodness, mean and threatening really were his specialties.
I turned back to watch Jared blanch and take a step back.
“Bring whoever it is over here,” I diplomatically suggested. “I appreciate how generous you are, Jared. It’s so kind of you to want to help me get things off the ground. You’ve always been a good friend to me.”
“Yeah, of course.” His answering smile was dull; it didn’t reach his eyes, and it gave me a chill. I watched, shivering as he turned and walked away.
I stepped into the warmth of Liam’s body, thankful he was still standing at my back. He slid his arms around me, crossing them as he enveloped me in the steady, solid strength of his embrace. “I don’t like how he looks at you,” he murmured. “I have to head over to Luke’s table, but I want you to stay in my sight all day. Do not go anywhere with him. Stay on this patio, okay? Don’t even go into the shop without me. I have a bad feeling about him. I just can’t put my finger on it yet.”
Nodding, I agreed. “I’ll stay right here unless I’m with you. I promise.”
“Good girl. Thank you. I’ll feel better if I can keep an eye you.” He dropped a kiss to the top of my head. “Later, Rosemary.”
“Oh my.” Gram’s eyebrows shot up. “You really are something else, Liam. Let the record show I was right about you. I’ll keep my eye on our Holly. If he comes back, I’ll make sure he doesn’t get any wise ideas. I can be a real pain in the ass when I need to be.”
True to my word, I stayed right here the entire time. And thankfully, Jared did not come back.
Chapter22
Liam
We decided to meet Holly’s family for dinner at Holloway’s before going back to my place. The day had gone by in a blur of activity and noise, and I was so glad it was over. She sold everything at her table like I knew she would, and I couldn’t be happier for her. She had no idea how amazing she was, and I was determined to show her ever day how much she meant to me.
“Are you doing okay? You’re pretty quiet over there.” She sat silent and still in the passenger seat of my truck with her head leaning against the window. “Taking it all in?”
