Page 39 of Liam

“You saidthat reminds me…”

“Oh…” I look down at the toy in my hand. “I guess I used it a lot while I was gone.”

“Good,” she says, smiling wide as she stands, makes her way toward me. “Then consider it a gift.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” She takes the hose from me and starts spraying down Chicken like I had been.

“You don’t have to do that,” I tell her. “You’ll get wet, and you’re all nice-looking today.”What the fuck was that?“I meant the dress… you’re in a dress.”Kill me.I chance a peek in her direction, noting the blush that creeps from her neck, ends on her cheeks.

She shrugs. “I’ll dry.”

I remove my shirt, throw it on the porch railings, and grab the soap we use for Chicken.

“Sheiskind of cute,” she states.

“Right?” I lather the pig until suds form beneath my fingers. “She’s a little rough around the edges, but the more time you spend with her, the softer she gets.” Adelaide doesn’t respond to that, and for a long moment, neither of us says a word. I focus on my task and not atallon the way she exists, only feet away, hose in hand, one knee slightly bent. She has a thin gold chain around one ankle, and it’s the first time I’ve noticed it. I wonder if she’s worn it before.

“Can I ask you something?” she says, bringing me back to the present.

I snap my gaze to the pig, to my hands specifically, and clear my thoughts. “Sure…”

“I didn’t see Lincoln once while you were gone. In fact, I rarely see him in your studio. Does he not work as much as you, or…?”

“He does,” I answer quickly. He likely works more than I do. “I just work on our channel. He does everything else.”

“Defineeverything else?”

“We have many people on our team—agents, PR reps, marketing firm. He takes all the meetings, works with new sponsors, travels to find new opportunities.”

I already guessed what she asks next. “But your brand is the PrestonTwins. Those aren’t things you should be doing together?”

My hands slow, gaze dropping. While I was away, I thought a lot about how much of myself I want to share with Adelaide… if it ever got to this point. A part of me knew we’d get here, and I wasn’t sure what that gnawing feeling was that always crept to my gut… whether it was fear or excitement. “I don’t do well in those settings,” I admit, and hope she doesn’t ask me to clarify. “And I don’t like to travel much, or like…” I exhale—loud enough that I’m sure she hears it. “I don’t know.” At her silence, I stand and grab the hose from her, start working on rinsing Chicken.

“I had fun the other day,” she says, moving to my side, and I canfeelthe tension leave my shoulders.

I half turn to her. “Yeah?”

The top of Adelaide’s head reaches halfway up my biceps, and she nods, looking up at me. “And I owe you.”

“For what?” I ask, focusing on the pig again.

“You paid for lunch.”

“It’s only right, considering I invited you.”

“So… tomorrow? My treat.”

I shake my head, still not looking at her. “You don’t have to.”

“Iwantto.”

I lower my gaze to hers, raise my eyebrows. “Diner again?”

“It’ll be a surprise.”

I sigh, suddenly aware of my surroundings… and who I’m sharing it with. Unease crawls up my spine, and I attempt to push the thoughts away. “I told you I don’t like surprises.”

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