Page 27 of How to Write a Rom-Com

“Shouldn’t I be in the water?” I ask, becoming more hesitant about this endeavor.

“I’ll push the tube in once you’re on it,” Liam says amusedly. “Which I hope you manage to do sometime this year,” he adds.

I glare at him and the side of his mouth picks up. “Shut up,” I say with a laugh.

I lay down on the float and grab onto the handles. My feet dangle off the back and I’m suddenly nervous something might bite them.

“What lives in this water—ahh!” Liam gives the tube a firm shove and off it goes, thrusting me into the lake.

I squeal when the water flows onto the tube and pools around my body. I screech as I try to lift myself up to avoid the freezing water, but I quickly realize that is one surefire way to flip over.

“Shit!”

“Lucy!” Liam scolds. Mia giggles at his side.

“—takemushrooms!” I add, still squealing from the icy water pooling under my belly.

“Ready?” Mia calls in a sweet voice as I drift further away from the boat. I lift one arm away from the float and give her a thumbs up. Liam flashes one back at me and turns toward the controls, slowly increasing the boat’s speed. He kindly starts off slow, so I smoothly follow the boat in a calm wake. Just as I’m getting into position to truly admire his backside from this angle, he picks up speed.

I hear giggling and clapping as the front of the tube is thrust into the air. I tighten my grip on the handles and shriek as water sprays in my face. Liam swings the boat right and left, creating a bumpier wake which my vessel bounces over. Every time I screech, I hear an echo of childish glee from the back of the boat. After a few moments, I adjust to the sensation and rapidly let go with one hand to push the hair and wipe the water from my face. Once I do, I feel a sense of adrenaline that I was not expecting.

“Woo!” I yell, feeling the wind against my face as Liam drives straight and goes even faster than before. In the calmer wake, I garner the courage to tuck my knees under me and kneel on the float, holding on to the handles on the side. I laugh at the distant sight of Mia and Robbie jumping with joy on the boat.

I am flying, I am soaring, I am free.

Chapter Nine

We’re out on the boat for hours. The twins take turns on the tube, and even try to ride together one time, which ended with a near rescue mission to fetch Robbie, who somehow flew off the tube. We snacked on tuna fish sandwiches, which I mentioned was in very poor taste, considering the setting. That got me into the lovely position of explaining to Mia where tuna comes from. I’m pretty sure I scarred her for life.

Back at the house, we quickly get the twins—and Blue—washed off in Liam’s outdoor shower. It’s after 4 pm, and Jill should be back soon to pick them up so he can head to the restaurant. Once they’re changed into dry clothes, Liam sets them up withFinding Nemoin the living room. I take the opportunity to go onto the deck and remove my wet tank top. Just as I wring it out over the balcony, I hear the sliding door open behind me.

“Here, take this,” Liam says, handing me a black shirt.

“Oh, that’s okay,” I say, shaking out my sad, wrinkled tank top. Goosebumps appear on my arms from the breeze off the lake. I could run across the street and grab a new shirt, but of course, Liam’s offer is much more enticing.

“It’s fine. I have about a hundred of them.” Liam opens the shirt, and I see it’s the same “Liz’s” T-shirt that the staff at the restaurant wear. I smile as I accept it.

“I’m making coffee, want some?” Liam asks.

“Yeah, that would be great.”

“Two sugars and a splash of milk?” he adds as I follow him inside.

“How did you know that?” I don’t even bother masking my surprise.

“Trick of the trade. I can tell a person’s coffee order just by looking at them,” he says with a wink.

“That’s such a lie. You just guess and hope for the best.” I shake my head.

“Well, you’ll never really know, will you?”

I join the kids on the couch, who are both sprawled over Blue who lays in between them. Mia has her head on his shoulder and is using him like a pillow, while Robbie has his small legs thrown over Blue’s back, dangling over Mia’s head. It’s quite a scene. Blue looks miserable, but I can tell he secretly loves it.

I hear the coffee machine whirring to life and can’t help but think that Liam and I have made some serious progress today. He only grunted once or twice, I think because he couldn’t hide behind his rigid façade in front of the kids. But I have only known him for a couple of weeks, so I’m trying not to push it. And as much as I loathe the idea of being part of a coincidental setup—I do believe Jill had to go to work—today gave me a chance to learn more about Liam. He is actually just a big goofball, especially with the kids. Part of me can’t wait to get back to the house so I can jot down some notes for a potential hero for Ruby’s book.

When Liam emerges from the kitchen with two mugs, he nods his head toward the back door. I open it for him and follow him outside.

“Blue is like the fun uncle who puts up with the kids just because he knows they’re not staying for good,” I say as I shut the door behind us.

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