Page 30 of Worth the Risk

“What?” My head jerks up, eyes meeting his across the kitchen.

“You said you wanted to go apple picking. So, I want to take you apple picking.”

“Liam…"

“Do I smell pastries?” I’m cut off by Rosie emerging from her room and sauntering over to the kitchen island.

“You do. Almond croissant just for you.” He points to Rosie’s favorite type of croissant in the box.

“I knew I liked you Liam.” She ruffles his hair before grabbing her croissant from the box. I send him a questioning look wondering how he knew her favorite.

“I listen, Emi. You were telling me a few study sessions ago about how you think Ro’s crazy because she always wants an almond croissant from The Blue Bean when chocolate is clearly superior.”

“Hey.” Rosie fake scoffs, between bites of her croissant. We all laugh, falling into comfortable conversation while we fuel up for the day.

∞∞∞

Liam

Seeing Emi’s smile as we stroll through the apple orchard is worth everything. I may or may not have cut out of Sunday practice early, faking a family event. Coach wasn’t pleased and I saw the questioning look on James’ face as I left but I didn’t reveal anything to them. Being here with her is better than any baseball practice could ever be.

After I left her apartment last night I couldn’t sleep. ‘Fine’ is how she described her date with James and that made me exceptionally happy as well as irrationally angry. She deserves better than fine. My mind has been like a ping pong ball recently. Deciding if the risk is worth it. It would be worth it, I know that, but only if she feels the same way. There’s glimpses of times where I think she does but if I’m wrong and I lose her? I don’t know if I want to live in a world where I don’t at least have her friendship.

As we walk through the orchard, I carry the bag we bought at the entrance as she plucks different varieties of apples off the trees.

“I used to love apple picking. My grandparents would always take me and then we’d make all these different apple dishes.” She places a few honey crisps into the bag. I love it when she shares these small details about her life with me. Learning about her, about how she grew up, why she is who she is, is my favorite hobby.

“We used to go every fall too but my mom always said the best apples were at the top.”

“Really?” Emi looks up at me and then up at the trees. “How did she get them?”

“Like this.” I bend down into a squat.

“What are you doing?”

“C’mon get on.” I place the bag on the ground, patting my shoulders.

“You’re crazy.” A breathy laugh escapes her but she still slides one leg over my left shoulder, I grab it securely before helping her swing the right one. With a good grip I grab our bag and stand up which causes her to let out a little squeal, making me laugh. We walk down the tree lined aisles collecting as many different kinds of apples from as high as we can. Little kids wave up at her, looking thoroughly amused at two grown ups' antics. She waves back, tossing apples down to children with their hands out.

When our bag is overflowing I reluctantly crouch down to let Emi slide off. Hearing her giggles and feeling her excitement has made this the best afternoon I’ve had in a long time.

Chapter 19

Liam

I’ve been riding a high since last weekend. It felt good to put a genuine smile on Emi’s face, one she didn’t have after her date with James. Maybe its petty of me to feel so good about that but I don’t even care. Even if I can’t admit my feelings to her now, knowing that she had more fun with me does something for my pride.

I pull up to Emilia and Rosie’s apartment and sneak in the front door behind another tenant. How easy it was to do that is slightly terrifying but I’m praying they keep their door locked at all times. It’s Friday night and we’re all headed to the hockey game. I head down the hall and knock on their door, Rosie answers wearing black jeans and a hoodie with Garretts jersey overtop, the typical hockey game attire. I’m wearing something similar myself, jeans with Ryan’s jersey overtop a long sleeve shirt.

“Emi! Liam’s here!” Rosie turns her body to yell into the apartment.

“Really? He didn’t text yet.” I hear Emilia’s mumbled words, before stepping into the open living room from her bedroom. She stops when she sees me standing in the doorway. “Oh you’re here, here.”

“I am.” I smile at her. “You know it’s kind of concerning how easy it was to sneak in the front door. You keep your door locked at all times, right?”

“Of course we do.” Rosie chuckles and I send her a glare before turning my attention back to Emilia. My beautiful Emi. She’s wearing leggings and my hoodie, it swallows her whole but she looks adorable in it. “I don’t have a jersey, Garrett only has the one extra and buying one from the school store just seems so fan girly.”

“Well, I have something for you.” I remove my hands from behind my back, stepping slightly inside to hand Emilia the gift I’ve been holding, a small package wrapped in white paper. Emilia’s eyes light up as she takes the gift from my hand.

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