Page 46 of Worth the Risk

“Hey, I went out with James.” We both outwardly cringe as the words come out of my mouth.

“You went out with him, yes, but you didn’t really like him. You liked him in a friendly way but you were never going to let him in the way you have Liam.”

“Yeah you’re right. I don’t know why it’s so easy to let Liam in. It’s terrifying and exciting all at once.”

“I know you’re scared but I think you should lean into it. Lean into the excitement. I mean he’s a great guy, he’s got the Rosie stamp of approval.” She giggles at the last part.

“Even though you hate his brother?” I’m definitely probing here, Ryan is a topic Rosie avoids like the plague but maybe tonight she’ll be inclined to give me a little more information.

“I don’t hate him. He’s just… infuriating.” She shrugs. “Besides they are stepbrothers, their personalities are bound to be different and I find Liam’s quite bearable.”

“Well, I’m glad you find him bearable.” We both let out a laugh.

“I’m happy for you, Emi.” Rosie scooches closer to me on the couch and I lift my blanket so we can share one.

“Don’t get too happy. I still need to find the courage to tell him everything.”

“You will, it’s worth the risk.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I think it definitely is.”

“Ever since the first time he saw you he’s been obsessed. Don’t you remember your intense eye contact at that party. Plus all the knight in shining armor stuff he’s pulled now. I mean, swoon.”

Maybe Rosie’s right. There were so many little moments that looking back I could see how he could possibly, maybe reciprocate feelings for me. For months I’ve been trying to brush those gestures off as him just being a gentleman to any girl. I take another long sip of tea letting all the memories of the past few months play through my mind. They make me smile to myself. Liam is always opening my door, listening to Taylor Swift with me, coming to check on me after my disastrous Thanksgiving. Topping everything off with inviting me to spend the holidays with him and his family because he can’t stand the thought of me being alone? I think that no matter what I have to find that confidence to confess my feelings for him. Spending the rest of my life wondering doesn’t seem like a great way to live.

Chapter 31

Emilia

Saying I spent last night and this morning freaking out would be an understatement. Rosie left Friday morning to head to her parents’ house in Connecticut for the holidays, leaving me alone in the apartment with my thoughts, which have been spiraling out of control since the second she left. Rosie and I had spent the past few days watching Christmas movies, baking cookies and packing. Her, for a month at her family's home and me, for a week and a half at the guy I have a major crush on's house. No big deal, right?

Liam has his last practice for the next two weeks this morning so he won’t be picking me up until around two in the afternoon. His practices have been consuming a lot of his time lately, I can only imagine how much more intense it will get with the start of the spring semester and his baseball games starting a month after that. I hope I can watch him play in the spring. Well, if everything doesn’t fall apart in the next week that is.

I keep going back and forth on confessing my feelings to Liam, I know I told Rosie it was worth the risk but I’ve never had to do something like this before. It seems like the biggest risk I’ve ever had to take. Best case scenario he feels the same way and we go from there. Worst case scenario he thinks I’m crazy and I’ve ruined my friendship with him. This decision is not one I take lightly, his friendship isn’t something I want to lose but I can hear my grandparents in the back of my head telling me love is worth it.

He’s really only the third person I’ve fully let in since starting college. First Rosie, then Garrett, which was never intentional but it turns out we both have not the best family life, now Liam. He came out of nowhere and opening up to him was easier than expected.

I pack up the last of my toiletries, zip up my suitcase and place it by the door. There’s still a few hours until Liam comes to get me, so I make a cup of hot chocolate and sit down on the couch to watch yet another cheesy Christmas movie. I let myself get lost in the movie, trying to keep the anxious feeling at bay.

Liam texted ten minutes ago saying he was on his way. Which means he’ll be here literally any second and I’m freaking out again. I got so zoned out watching Hallmark movies that I almost forgot what lies ahead of me over the next week. The anxiety has come back tenfold. I’ve been pacing around my apartment, hands slightly shaking since I received that text. Realistically there’s nothing to be anxious about but the what if’s won’t stop running through my mind.

The knock on the door makes me jump slightly. I shake my head at myself, knowing I’m being ridiculous. Walking over to the door I try to take a few calming breaths and plaster on a happy smile so as to not freak out Liam.

“Are you okay?” Are the first three words out of Liam’s mouth when I open the door. Clearly, I didn’t do as good as I thought at putting on a brave face.

“I’m fine.”

“Don’t lie to me.” He shakes his head, walking into the apartment. “That is not your real smile and you look paler than usual.” His words send me soaring, that he knows my real smile. That has a real one tugging at the corners of my lips.

“Fine. I may be slightly freaking out about meeting your family.”

A small smile spreads across Liam’s lips. “It’s cute that you’re nervous.” I can feel the heat spreading up my cheeks. “Don’t worry, they’re going to love you.” Usually the statement of 'just don’t be nervous' does nothing for me but Liam’s presence calms me. It has since our first interaction. “Come here.” Liam pulls me into him, wrapping me in his arms. We stay like this for a few moments before breaking apart. “Ready?”

“Ready.”

Liam pulls into a long driveway, my jaw drops as I take in the beautiful white house waiting at the end. The home is two stories, with a massive garage that looks like it houses a room above it, and there’s a gorgeous wrap-around porch complete with rocking chairs.

The expansive yard is dusted in a thin layer of white from the snow that began falling on our ride. Decorating the roof are beautiful white Christmas lights, red and green light up candy canes line the path to the front door. From the massive windows you can see the tree lit up in the living room. Can anyone say dream house?

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