Page 24 of Love Under Review

Liam chuckled, the sound deep and rough, causing Danielle to do the same. “You want to know what I would’ve said? Well, I can tell you right now.” He positioned a hand just below his mouth to look like he was holding a microphone. “Welcome, everyone. I’ve known Colton since May. He took me in as I adjusted to life in a small town, and although we’ve only known each other for a few months, he’s one of those people you can count on to be there for you. I’m excited for you both, and I wish you all the happiness in the world.” He moved his hand out to the side and tilted his head forward in a bow.

“That was pretty good. It seems you, Colton, and Tanner are like the three musketeers.”

“Well, I’ve always wanted to be in a sword fight, so maybe there’s something to your theory.”

Danielle wasn’t sure what her expression looked like, but Liam’s loud laugh caused her to relax a bit.

Liam spoke again. “What about you and Becca? I’m assuming you grew up together here.”

“Yep. I met her in Kindergarten, actually.”

“Wow. That’s a long time. Was it hard being in the same town forever?”

Danielle thought about that for a moment. “No, I think the only reason I survived here was because of Becca. She was my constant when no one really understood me.” She looked at him with her eyes narrowed. “I thought you were going to miss our meeting today. Did you have something come up?”

Liam nodded and looked remorseful. “Yeah, I was driving back from Grand Junction and just got here. Sorry, I probably should have thought to text you earlier.”

A warm feeling came over Danielle, and she waved it off. “Is everything okay with your sister?”

His mouth dropped into a frown. “It’s…we got some bad news. But we have a few options, and I hope they work to get rid of the cancer. Or at least give her more time.”

Tears sprang to her eyes, and Danielle reached over, wrapping her arms around him. She tried to tell herself it was only to comfort him, but the closeness seemed like static electricity that flowed throughout her body. He returned the hug, and she breathed in, the same woodsy scent from before filling her nose.

She finally pulled away, wiping at the stray tear escaping down her face. “I’m, uh, sorry. It just reminded me of the pain Becca went through when she lost her family. I hope the treatments work too. Kara is such a great person, and I hope she can be here for many more years. How’s Cari taking all of it?”

Liam gave her a half-smile, swallowing hard. “Thank you. Cari doesn’t understand most of it, and I’m not sure what to tell her until they figure out what’s working and what’s not.” He looked down at his hands for a minute as if they were useless to what he was going through right now. He looked up at her again with a broader smile. “Anyway, since I arrived late, we should probably decide what we want to write about. Do you still want to go with what society thinks we should be doing at our age?”

“I think that would be good. We should probably pick a few other ages, just to hit different people in town so it’s not so pointed to the thirty-year-olds.”

Laughing, Liam said, “I’m not thirty. And you aren’t either.”

“No, but I thought you might be. Let me guess. Twenty-seven?”

Red tinged his cheeks just enough to make her smile. “Close. Twenty-eight. And you said you are twenty years younger than your mom, who is forty-seven. So you’re twenty-seven, like Becca?” His one eyebrow rose.

Danielle laughed and nodded. “Well, I’m sure you get the ‘Why aren’t you married yet? You’re such a nice young man; you should be married already’ speech. I know I’ve gotten it several times just since Tuesday.” She rolled her eyes, and Liam chuckled. “Not the young man part, but you get the idea.”

“Yes, that seems to be the first conclusion people jump to. I usually just smile and nod, trying to tell them I really don’t need a blind date with their sister’s best friend’s aunt’s daughter who’s about my age and still single.” He leaned forward, a hint of a smile on his lips. “I have to avoid the beginning of the book groups because they’re always trying to set me up. I don’t have control over the end because I want people to buy stuff from the store.”

As much as Danielle tried to hold it in, a loud laugh came barreling out, and she leaned over, unable to stop.

With a small smile, Liam said, “Go ahead and laugh. I’ve lost count how many times that’s happened. Blind dates—”

“Are the worst! And it feels like that’s what everyone does here in Sage Creek. The older people are amazing, but they’re bored, and they love to watch a couple get together. I’m sure some of them were out with popcorn, watching as Becca and Colton started dating.” Danielle thought about it and laughed softer this time.

“You’re right about that.” There had been so many people invested in the newlyweds’ relationship, especially after Becca’s previous fiancé didn’t show up for the day of the wedding.

Liam cleared his throat. “I’ve been able to avoid some of the older people in that regard, thank goodness. I’m just going along, trying to make things fun in the town, but don’t send me a number for a blind date.”

Danielle raised a hand. “No worries there. As long as you don’t have someone to line me up with either, I think we’ll be just fine.”

Liam raised both hands. “Nope, all of my guy friends are married or out of the country, so I think you’re safe. Except for Tanner, but I think he has eyes on someone else in town.”

That sparked the intrigue of her journalist side. “Do tell.”

“I think he has a thing for the local bridal store owner.” His smile was conspiratorial, and he nodded a few times as if that would convince Danielle of the truth of it.

Tanner liked Susie? That would be an interesting matchup. Then again, it would be like the quarterback and the head cheerleader dating, although Tanner was significantly more shy than the average jock.

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