Page 97 of Falling for Love

“I started to imagine a future with you, Liam.” I sighed. “And then I got that letter, and it felt like I was being snapped back to my reality.”

“Wrong.” His voice was tender. “This is your reality. Not the games your ex wants to play.”

A few seconds passed between us, and I swallowed down a lump in my throat.

“Thank you…For listening. For being, you.”

“I’m honored that you confided in me.” He walked over to the table and grabbed his glass of water.

The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy.

Liam stood a few feet away, his hands resting on the back of one of the chairs, his gaze locked on me. I could tell he wanted to say more, to pry further into the mess I’d hinted at, but he didn’t. Instead, he offered me the kind of patience that felt rare and precious.

“You’ve had a long day,” he said after a moment, his voice quiet but firm. “Why don’t you sit for a bit? You don’t need to do anything else tonight.”

I shook my head, forcing a small smile. “You’ve already done so much. You made dinner, entertained Hayden, and...” I gestured vaguely, feeling a little ridiculous for being so overwhelmed by his kindness.

“And what?” he asked, leaning against the counter, his grin returning just slightly. “Knocked your socks off with my shrimp and linguine skills?”

I laughed softly, the sound surprising me. “Something like that.”

Liam tilted his head, studying me for a moment. “You know you can let me help, right? Whatever’s going on, you don’t have to do it alone.”

I swallowed hard, my heart squeezing at his sincerity.

“It’s not that simple, Liam. There’s a lot going on in my life right now, and... I just need some time to sort it all out.”

His expression didn’t falter, but I caught the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He nodded slowly like he was piecing together a puzzle.

“I can wait.”

The simple statement hit me like a punch to the chest. I wasn’t used to this—someone willing to be patient, to let me come to them on my terms.

It was both comforting and terrifying.

“I appreciate that,” I said softly. “Really, I do.”

His eyes softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers warm against my skin. “You’re worth it, Evie.”

The weight of his words settled between us, and for a moment, I let myself believe them. But the fear crept in just as quickly, reminding me of all the reasons why this couldn’t work.

“I should probably get Hayden home,” I said, glancing toward the living room where my son was still sound asleep on the couch.

Liam nodded, straightening up. “Let me help you get him to the truck.”

“I can manage,” I said quickly, not wanting to impose further.

He smiled wryly. “Evie, you’re amazing, but you’re not superhuman. Let me help.”

I opened my mouth to protest but stopped myself.

Instead, I nodded and followed him into the living room.

Together, we carefully scooped Hayden up, his small body limp with sleep as Liam carried him effortlessly out to my truck. The truth was that I probably would have wound up waking Hayden while I adjusted him in my arms.

I opened the back passenger door of my truck, and Liam gently placed Hayden in his booster seat. I watched as he adjusted the blanket over my son, his movements careful and deliberate.

“He’s a great kid,” Liam said quietly, closing the door and turning to face me.

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