Page 24 of How to Write a Rom-Com

Across the street. At her brother’s house. To go on her brother’s boat. The brother who saw me dancing around in my underwear the other night.

Great.

I consider calling after her and making up some excuse, but I decide it’ll be good for me to do something outside my comfort zone. And really, I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t want to see Liam again. Slippery slope, I know.

I throw a bathing suit on under my short set and walk over to Liam’s house about ten minutes later. When I knock on the front door, I’m immediately met with barking. Deep, loud barking that makes me jump a little bit. I hear a muffled version of Liam’s voice commanding the dog to sit and stay before he opens the door. When he sees me, his familiar skeptical scowl appears across his face.

“What did I tell you? She can’t help but accost the new people,” he says, referring to his sister.

“I heard that!” Jill calls from inside the house.

“Come on in,” Liam says, stepping aside. I step into the foyer, which doesn’t look all too different from the rental, apart for the staircase. Blue moseys over to me and puts his weight against my legs.

“Well, hello to you too,” I coo, scratching behind his ears. When Blue and I have finished our greeting, we follow Liam into the house.

To the left of the staircase is a dining room and to the right, a living room. From the front door, I can see all the way to the back of the house, which is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. The décor is not all that different from his restaurant. It’s a farmhouse style with white shiplap walls and bright wood floors. I follow Liam into the kitchen, which is breathtaking. The counters are white marble and stretch around every wall of the room. There is a gigantic island in the middle of the room with a large farmhouse sink. All the finishes are copper which makes the kitchen look so upscale. Well, that and the industrial stove and custom wood vent hood.

“I feel like I’m on an episode ofFixer Upper,” I mumble, taking in every inch of the space. Liam snorts.

“I’m sure that’s exactly what my sister was going for,” he says.

“She designed this for you?”

“I did,” Jill says confidently, rounding the corner from the kitchen to greet me.

“It’s stunning,” I say. Her smile brightens.

“Jill is a decorator,” Liam explains. Jill eyes him. “Sorry, interior designer or some shit,” Liam amends.

Jill rolls her eyes before turning and steering Robbie toward the bathroom. Liam shrugs. “Can I get you a drink, Lucy?” he asks.

“Sure. Water is fine.” He moves swiftly through the kitchen, grabbing me a glass. I take the moment to look around the rest of the living room. There is a large, plush sectional and a stone fireplace that touches to the ceiling. The chunky wood mantle is lined with picture frames of Liam and Jill, the twins, and two older people who faintly resemble all four of them. Their parents, I assume. I can’t help but notice how much Liam resembles his mother. I hear him humming as he strolls around the kitchen. I turn to meet him and take a moment to really study him. I’ve never noticed the freckle beneath his right eye, or the dimple that appears in his cheek when he lifts one side of his mouth up.

When I first saw Liam, I thought it was hilarious that there was actually a tall, blonde, handsome man living across the street from me, like there would be in an actual small-town romance book. But he’s so much more than a trope. I’m ashamed that I let myself prejudge him based on his looks.

“This is unbelievable!” Jill screeches as she comes out of the bathroom. Robbie has been changed into a rash guard and adorable swim trunks. I catch a glimpse of Mia on the couch, already dressed in a Paw Patrol bathing suit.

“What’s the matter?” Liam asks, handing me a glass of water. When our fingers touch there’s a short twinge of static electricity between us. Liam stares at our hands for a moment, before turning his attention back to his sister, shaking his head.

“That was work. I have to run over there,” she says, tapping away angrily on her phone.

Oh no.

Thank goodness I have the resolve not to say that out loud.

But seriously,no. No freaking way.

“I’m sorry, Liam, but can you watch the twins?” Jill asks, an air of disappointment in her voice. Part of me feels bad. Maybe she was looking forward to spending this time with her brother and kids. But then why did she drag me into it?

“Of course, Jill, but your job—”

“—seriously sucks, I know,” Jill finishes, rolling her eyes. “Lucy, I’m so sorry I have to run, but please stay.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t possibly—”

“You could,” Liam says, the deep tenor of his voice surprising.

Jill and I both stop to look at him. He shifts his gaze between us quickly and widens his eyes. “Stay, that is. You could stay and come out on the boat with us.”

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