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“I called an Uber, so I better cancel it,” I say.
I quickly reach into my pocket for my phone to cancel the Uber. Then I grab my purse, which Liam takes, and we are out the door.
“Thanks for coming,” I say, and he looks back at me with a meaningful look.
“I always want to be here for you,” he replies. His words hit me hard. I want to believe them. I really do.
“Thanks for sending us those meals with Maria. And the groceries,” I continue. “It was too much.” Liam had been out of town at games, so he asked his assistant to do my grocery shopping, plus she brought us delicious home-cooked meals she had prepared.
“It isn’t. We all need some looking after,” he says. We head downstairs in the elevator.
“I really do appreciate it. How can I pay you back?” I ask.
“You can’t. I’m just happy to have you back in my life. I’ve been feeling good,” he admits.The elevator doors open and Liam holds the door and motions for me to go first.
As we head outdoors, I blurt, “I watched your game.” I watch his eyes light up.
“You don’t watch hockey,” he deadpans.
“True, but I was curious.” I bite my lip as we make our way out to the SUV.
Within minutes, we’re heading toward the hospital.
“And . . .” He raises his brows and smiles. “You never came to games. I want to know what changed.”
“In high school, I was too busy trying to be the valedictorian, so I had a reason not to make it to your games,” I remind him. “Now I have a whole lot of time on my hands. Plus, my son is playing hockey now too.”
“So it had nothing to do with you wanting to see me?” he asks, and I hear the hope in his tone.Oh, Liam.Even though he lived with his family, sometimes it felt like we were these two kindred lonely spirits who found each other.
“I missed you,” I confess. “I wanted to see you.” Saying those words is hard, but he showed up for me today and took care of me even when he was out of town. Those words involve a sense of trust on my part. This plunge of faith is necessary and I feel like he needs to hear them as much as I need to say them.
“Good.” He grins triumphantly. “I missed you too.” He lifts my palm and kisses the back of it. His reaction makes me feel good about opening up to him.
We pull into the front of the hospital, and Liam leaves to park the car. I head inside on my crutches. It will be much easier once I have this horrid cast off. The workers’ compensation will cover some of my wages but because I make tips, which are cash, it won’t cover all that money. The next six weeks are going to be financially draining and I don’t have the luxury not to work.
I’ve thought about looking for a desk job, but I won’t make as much as I do when I calculate my tips plus all the extra hours I put in at the diner.
I check in at the hospital, and Liam is by my side a few minutes later, explaining he was lucky to find street parking. With my cast removed, the doctor sends me for another X-ray. He tells me I may only have to wear the walking cast for approximately four weeks, which is good news. With my walking cast on, we leave out the hospital doors.
“So where do we go now?” Liam asks.
“There aren’t too many options since I need to stay off my leg,” I remind.
“Let’s get breakfast and head back to my place,” he says. “I’m ravenous.” His eyes gleam with that last statement.
We drive to Midtown to a nice little breakfast place. Liam orders us delicious smoothies, and we both get eggs and multigrain toast.
“How’s the little guy doing?” he asks.
“Good. Hockey went well on Sunday. He’s really loving it.”
“Why are you frowning then?” Liam asks with his brows pinched together.
I shovel eggs into my mouth.
“I never wanted him to play hockey. I don’t want him being a part of that world,” I explain.
“Because of Carter?” It’s a question not a statement.
