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Growing up, it was simple. Now it feels like a big deal. Our first date. No, our first grown-up date.
I’ve checked my phone at least a dozen times after Liam sent me a ‘I’m on my way’ message, which is why I’m currently trying to keep calm but failing miserably.
God, I’m scared.
What if he doesn’t like who I am now?
What if I get stage fright again and can’t answer the questions that he asks me?
Nora comes into the hallway and grabs my arms. “Will you stop! Everything will be fine. Why all the nerves? It’s Liam.”
Exactly.
“Ohh, I don’t know… maybe because the only person I have ever loved is coming to take me on a date after ten years apart and I don’t know if I’m wearing the right thing, if I’ll say the right thing or if my big, stupid mouth will ruin it all.”And breathe.“Oh, and now I’m sweating too.”
I fan my reddening face whilst I look at my reflection. My deep blue eyes are a little wilder grey blue than usual. “Do you think he’d like me even if I’m a jumbled Jess-mess?” I slump onto the velvet chair near the door and Nora follows me, her eyes soft and accepting.
“He’ll still like you, even if you are a jumbled Jess mess. You know that you and Liam have always had a natural chemistry, and yeah, okay, things might be a little strange to begin with, but that’s normal for all relationships. You’ll find your rhythm again,” Nora says lovingly, kneeling in front of me to meet my eyes. “Listen, you need to accept that you’ll say something that will make you cringe–it wouldn't be you if you didn’t. But Jess, you’ve got this. You are a strong, fearless woman who can do anything. Get up, go out, and charm the pants off LiamfuckingTaylor.”
God, I wouldn’t be able to function without Nora. My brain immediately settles, and I take a big relaxing breath out.
I squeeze her hand, stand, and push my shoulders back as Nora smiles at me knowingly. In the mirror I pucker my lips and apply my pink lip stain and as Nora tells me I look hot, there is a knock at the door.
My heart leaps out of my chest as I drop the lipstick to the floor.
“You’ve got this, remember,” Nora reminds me as I bend to pick it up.
She disappears into the lounge, and I stand behind my closed door, needing to take one more deep breath.
As the door opens, Liam’s tall frame comes into view. He is wearing a crisp white shirt, faded black jeans and tan Chelsea boots, all pulled together with the casual dark leather jacket. His hair is perfectly styled and I can guarantee he spent no longer than five minutes on it because he’s that lucky.
God, he looks hot.
He smells fresh, but with an undertone of something warmer, darker and intoxicating. My senses are ruined by this one moment. Never going to recover and I don’t even want them to right now.
“Hi, Scotty.” He smiles, and my chest almost explodes again.
Hey Siri, Add this mental image to ‘fave pics of Liam’ folder.
“Hi.” I do my best to stifle a giggle because if I laugh out loud, I fear it’ll be more of a snort and that wouldn’t be recoverable… in any way.
“What’s so funny?” He nudges past me and walks into the hallway.
“Nothing…”Just you being insanely hot.“I’m just nervous… like a lot nervous.”
“Truth time? Me too, but tonight, I’m going to wine and dine you and…” He pulls me closer to him, our bodies touching everywhere. “…then I have plans for you later…” He pauses his gaze. licking over my entire face and body, “Damn it’s been a long couple of days,” he confesses with dark eyes and I decide that I need to get him out of the house because if he kisses me right now, I don’t think I’ll ever want him to stop while he's looking at me like that.
Our kiss has been on replay in my head for days whilst he’s been away, but I don’t tell him that, even although all I want to do is drag him upstairs and kiss him again and again.
“Woah there, lover boy, let’s get going. We don’t want to be late for dinner.” Pushing him away, I open the door, ignoring the way my body is protesting loudly. I chuckle as he groans, stomping his big feet behind me. “Turn that frown upside down, Mr Taylor.”
I turn, grab his chin and kiss his cheek, which earns me a smile.
He just looks so fucking good. He’s always looked good, but tonight, he has his dating grown up game on and that is attractive as hell. Even the way he walks over to his car, with so much ease and natural swagger, has my insides melting and my body pulsing, I need to rein it in.
“This is what you drive around London?” I raise my eyebrows at him and his ridiculously expensive matt black Tesla and he just… shrugs.
“Most of the time. It’s small enough to fit into tiny car parking spaces in the city, plus it’s fast and I like it. It was my first car I brought myself, so it’s my baby.”
