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I point to the box on the counter, earning a far-too-dramatic eye roll from Liam. “That box is just as full as it was three trips ago.”
“I’m very thorough.”
Liam chuckles and sets the cardboard box he was holding down on the floor. As he steps toward me, I can see his once-crisp shirt now stuck to his skin with sweat. His musky scent mixed with the muggy air is almost too much. He encases me in a hug and I feel every inch of his soaked body pressed against mine.
“You stink!” I joke, pushing him away from me with my palms on his heaving chest. He tightens his grip but doesn’t move an inch as I pretend to gag.
“Shhhhhh,” he says, holding me tighter. “Just let it happen.”
My gagging gets louder and more dramatic the longer he holds me in a vise grip. His tight hold shifts to his fingers digging into my side, eliciting a yelp from me. My laughter consumes the room as I try to yank myself from his grasp.
“Fine, fine!” I laugh so hard my breath is choppy. “I’ll help!”
“Too late, this is your fate now. Accept it, relish in it.”
Jackson appears in the doorway and I instantly reach for him. “Jackson. Tell him to let go of me,” I whine.
“Not my circus, bug.”
“Asshole.”
Liam finally loosens his hold before looking down at me. My cheek is moist with sweat and it only looks like a trophy to him.
“You’re a dick.”
“You love it.”
I don’t even fight him on it, because I do.
As the last echo of departing footsteps vanishes, we both release a deep sigh of relief. We slowly collapse onto the soft gray couch in the living room, sinking into it, its plush embrace like a warm hug. I close my eyes and let out an exhale as exhaustion takes over, grateful that this day is coming to an end. The soft light of sunset filters through thin curtains, casting long shadows across the room. A gust from outside carries in fresh air, and I’m thankful for the breeze against my skin. It is just what I need after moving around all day long.
“Hannah…” Liam’s tone is ominous as he stands from the couch to walk to the other side of the room.
My stomach erupts into knots as he pulls a familiar figurine from the box open on the countertop.
“Yes?” I nervously grin up at him, knowing that the cogs in his brain are moving at full speed.
“When did you take this?”
“A couple years ago.”
“So you just watched me tear apart my apartment lookingfor it last week for fun? Hannah, this thing wasn’t cheap. I thought it was lost in my apartment.”
“You’re so cute when you’re frustrated,” I say with a mocking pout.
He steps closer to me, his strong jawline and angular features softening slightly, a glimmer of hope shining through the scowl that was threatening to consume him moments before. I feel my stomach fill with thousands of tiny butterflies, wings fluttering in anticipation.
“You’re gonna get it.”
And I hope I do.
