Page 130 of Liam

“He wants to go for a walk.”

“You going?”

“Nah.” I shake my head. “I’m okay here.”

“Addie, you should go,” he says through a yawn. “I’m tired anyway, and I go back to work tomorrow.” He’d taken the entire week off work to be there for me, just in case.

I look up at him.Reallylook at him. Darkness surrounds his tired eyes, and his eyelids droop more than usual. I should’ve picked up on how exhausted he was earlier, but I’ve been too deep in my own head to realize. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” he says, waving me off. “Just be quiet when you get in?”

“Okay.”

I text Liam.

Addie

Where are you?

Liam

In the parking lot, waiting on your big booty ass.

Roman clears his throat from just over my shoulder, and when I turn to him, he’s glaring at my phone. “That’s not what he means,” I laugh out while replying to Liam.

Addie

Roman saw that.

Liam

Your call could not be connected. Please try again later.

Addie

I’ll be down in a minute.

I get to my feet, then grab the blanket from the back of the couch and tell Roman, “Okay, old man. Let me tuck you in.”

Roman rolls his eyes but accepts my offer anyway, getting into a lying position so I can spread the covers over him. He nestles in, pulling the blankets up to his chin, and he looks so boyish like this. So innocent.

“Goodnight,” I say, leaning down and kissing his forehead.

He laughs once—a whisper of a sound. “Night, Addie.”

I flick off all the lights, but leave his show running. Then I start to leave, stopping just inside the door and turning to him. The glow from the TV casts shadows across his features, and he’s so much of everything I remember him to be. So much of everything I missed. “Hey, Roman?”

He pops his head up. “Yeah?”

“I love you.”

Roman’s smile is instant. “I love you, too, Addie.” He jerks his head toward the door. “Now get out of here. Don’t leave Loverboy waiting.”

Liam’s leaning against his minivan when I reach the bottom of the stairs leading up to Roman’s apartment. He stands taller as I shuffle toward him, my shoulders hunched, but my eyes lifted. I don’t slow, not until my front’s pressed against his. And I don’tlift my arms to hug him, don’t get up on my toes to kiss his cheek. I just… lay my head on his chest, savor the touch, becausethisalone is everything I need.

“Huh,” he states.

I peer up at him. “What?”

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