Page 36 of Izzy and Her Off-Limits Love

I barely manage to stop myself from spewing the last part. The part where I admit how big my feelings are. Which are probably way bigger than Liam’s feelings for me. Also, who says I love you after, like, a week?

Ridiculous people who, if they’re honest, have probably loved the other person for a really long time.

Liam’s expression goes slack. “What did you say?”

“I said yes. To the job. And some other stuff.”

“But you …” His voice is breathy and hesitant, and his arms tighten around my back. “Izzy.”

I’m totally embarrassed. He obviously knows what I barely stopped myself from saying. Would it be less embarrassing to just say it? Maybe I should do it now and just go all-in on totally stepping over the line.

But it’s Liam who says it first.

“I love you.”

Liam, who’s looking at me with so much tenderness and affection that there’s no way he doesn’t mean it.MyLiam.

“You do?” I ask.

“I absolutely do.”

“But—”

He places a finger on my lips, and I remember when I did the same to him just over a week ago when being with Liam was only a dream.

“Izzy, it may seem soon, but our timeline isn’t just a week. We’ve known each other almost our whole lives. I know you. So it’s not because you started to say it first—I’ve been holding back because I didn’t want to scare you off. But I think I’ve loved you for a really long time and just didn’t allow myself to acknowledge it. I love you, Izzy.”

“I love you too.”

The box and the paper get lost as Liam kisses me,and kisses me, until Ezra shows up, his expression looking more teenager than ten-year-old as he rolls his eyes and says,“Oh, gross.”

It’s only minutes before the rest of the family is up, the adults passing out coffee as the youngest in the family dig through their stockings.

I don’t know how long we’ll keep doing family Christmas on Oakley. If Eloise and Jake will always run the inn. If we’ll ever outgrow it as kids grow up and get married and start their own family traditions.

But I will soak up the chaos and love that comes from all of us being together as long as I can.

And now, I’ll do it with Liam by my side.

Later this afternoon, I’ll take him over to see my mom and Adam, and we’ll spend some time hanging out with my younger half-sisters. And we’ve already talked about spending New Year’s with Naomi and Camden and the rest ofhisfamily.

But I think the biggest part of our hearts will always be right here, in this big old house-turned-inn that’s so full of memories.

With the presents opened, people filter in and out of the living room and sun porch, eating, talking, laughing. In my case, stealing kisses.

Across the room, Merritt catches my eye and lifts her eyebrows, then glances down at her phone. Seconds later, my phone buzzes with a text.

Merritt:You okay? You look happy.

I look up and see her watching me. I smile as I type back a reply.

Izzy:He told me he loved me this morning, so “happy” doesn’t begin to cover it.

She reads my message, then lifts a hand to her chest, pressing it there before she holds the phone up for Dad to read. His eyes widen, then narrow as he looks at Liam and me snuggled together on the couch.

“Already?” he says, loud enough to catch Liam’s attention.

“Already!” I say, then I lean up and kiss Liam on the cheek.

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