Page 15 of Worth the Risk

The first two items are crossed off. The first one, decorate your room the way I like has been crossed off since freshman year. Where it was the only one that remained crossed off until the first night I met Liam.

Liam clears his throat. “Decorate your room the way you like?”

“Oh, that’s the one you have questions about?” I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. Of course he would try to be nice and not ask about some other things on that list.

“I have questions about the others too, but let’s start there.” I move over to sit on the edge of my bed, grabbing my emotional support stuffed animal, a light purple elephant named Ellie, Liam sits beside me.

“I just wasn’t able to do that growing up.” I shrug. “My mom…” I trail off not sure I’m ready for Liam to know about all this, but looking into his eyes I only see kindness that has me wanting to open up to him. “My mom is an alcoholic. She wasn’t always the best mom, I mean she tried for a while but we moved around a lot. Living with my grandparents where I shared a room with her. Eventually I had my own room in the apartment she rented but we didn’t have a lot of money so I just had old hand me down comforters and stuff.” I shrug, Liam’s eyes never leave me. “So, I’ve always wanted to decorate my own space.”

“Emi.” Liam's hand meets my thigh, where he gives me a reassuring squeeze.

“No, nope. I don’t need pity.” I shake my head, exhaling.

“So this is your style?” He motions around my room.

“More or less.” I shrug. “Purple is my favorite color, I love flowers, specifically tulips, and books.”

He nods, probably taking in the whole thing I’ve just dumped on him.

“I can help you.”

“What?”

“With the rest of the list.”

“You don’t have to.”

“No, I want to. We’re friends, right? So let me help you.” My heartbeat quickens looking at the list, is he volunteering to fall in love with me right now? Okay, that’s a crazy thought but imagine? He clears his throat, “I mean I can take you to a bar, help you find a date.”

“That would be great.” I can’t help but feel a little hopeful that my senior year will be full of more normal college things.

Chapter 10

Liam

I leave Emi’s after we exchange numbers and my promises of helping her with her bucket list. Walking out, I can’t help but keep running my hands nervously through my hair. I drive home without turning the radio on, I can’t believe I just friend-zoned the girl I couldn’t stop thinking about all summer. I could tell her the truth, that I have a massive crush on her, but the way her face subtly lit up when I told her I would help her with her list, I feel like she is quickly becoming more comfortable with me and letting her personality shine. I can’t let her down. I just need to figure out how to stop having a crush. It shouldn’t be that hard. Right?

When I get home, I drop my bag at the front door and head straight to the kitchen to grab a beer. I don’t usually drink when I have classes the next day but today I am making an exception. After I crack open the beer, I flop down on the couch and pull out my phone. Emilia insisted that I text her when I got home. Her saying that tugged at my heart strings, even if she asks that of everyone it was nice to know she cares.

Me

Made it home safe.

Emi

Yay, thank goodness.

Emi

I know it sounds silly but I wouldn’t have been able to sleep until I knew you were safe.

I’m full on smiling at my phone like an idiot now. I’m about to text her back when Ryan plops down on the couch next to me.

“When did you get here?” I lock my phone and put it face down on the coffee table in front of us.

“I’ve been here, had no idea where you were though. You said you were headed home hours ago.”

“Oh, sorry. I got uh, held up.”

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