Page 31 of Liam

"I don't remember what happened. One second I was cycling down the road, the next I opened my eyes to lights rushing past overhead and someone speaking to me, saying my name." It had been my sister, walking alongside the gurney on my way to the operating room.

"Drunk driver ran a red light and plowed right into me. I was tossed up and landed nearly five metres behind them. They didn't even brake." I rested my head on my pillow as I kept my gaze on Liam. "My partner, Richard, was so supportive. He took me to my appointments and physical therapy sessions. He was my advocate when I became too frustrated to thinkstraight. He encouraged me when I was learning to manage life without the use of my legs."

The way I had repaid that kindness and love had been horrendous.

"It wasn't enough?"

"It was, but we became so sad, both of us. Our life together had changed too drastically."

"You drifted?"

"Until the day he moved out of my parents' house." God, there was so much that had led up to that. Our parting had been filled with anguish. I hadn't reacted well to my paralysis.

"You loved him."

I blinked and a tear streaked down my cheek. "So much."

Liam surprised me when he flung an arm around my shoulders, tugged me to him, and embraced me in a warm hug. I leaned against him and clung tightly to his bicep.

His strong arms feltsogood against the sadness that had descended. He hummed against my hair and kissed my head. I just about melted away, overwhelmed by his affection.

This sweet and gentle man had been hiding behind an endless stream of sultry shirtless photos. It was possible I was seeing a side of him few had. We were opening a pathway of trust.

And friendship.

Or was there more than that happening?

Chapter Seven | Liam

Ethan took my order for a low-fat cappuccino and passed on the order to Susie. The coffee shop was busy but there were a few places to sit. I spotted a table where I could remove one chair so Jamal would have a space for his wheelchair. Meeting with him had been a last-minute arrangement. I'd decided to forego a trip to the gym in preference of seeing him.

"Go ahead," Ethan said. "Secure that table. I'll bring your coffee over."

"Jamal shouldn't be long. He was finishing some paperwork."

Ethan smiled at me. "You seem nervous. Are you anxious about seeing him?"

I exhaled and groaned. "Please don't get in my face about this."

"Not going to hassle you." His smile turned to a smirk. "It's cute. It suits you."

"I'm going to sit down now." I turned and left him. After I arrived at the table, I pulled one chair away and set it against a back wall. I analyzed the open space. It should be sufficient.

I took a seat on the bench on the other side of the table. My ears heated as Jamal rolled into the coffee shop and up to the counter. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but Ethan and Jamal were chatting and laughing. Ethan pointed in my direction after Jamal placed his order.

Ethan hadn't charged either one of us. That was one of the nice things about having friends who owned food and drink establishments. It saved the wallet from overuse.

Jamal's expressive smile and sultry eyes nearly caused my heart to stutter and seize as he moved toward me. Few people had set their gaze on me the way Jamal had just now.

"Hey, Liam." He wheeled into the space I set up for him. "Thanks for moving the chair."

"No problem." I nearly groaned with disappointment in myself. I hated it when people used that phrase. It had an inherently negative feeling about it. Ethan was right. I was nervous.

"Did you know a coffeebeanis found at the centre of a berry called a coffee cherry?"

I smiled. "That's a new one for me. I know they're green before they're roasted."

"Coffee is the most consumed beverage in Canada. Moreso than water."

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