Page 40 of Love Under Review

He’d gotten Danielle’s text as he was driving, and part of him felt bad he couldn’t hang out with her. But guilt soon followed, as he knew he needed to be there for his sister. He’d also missed the day with the guys, but Tanner and Colton understood. Liam just hoped Danielle would still want to get together when he came back home. Now wasn’t the greatest time to start a relationship, but he’d figured out she was worth the juggling act.

Now, Monday morning, he was ready to start the week and get back to life at the bookstore. He’d just have to find a time to talk to Danielle, hoping she felt the same way he did.

“Are you ready to go to school?” Liam asked Cari as she sat eating her cereal.

“Already? I feel like I just woke up.” Cari’s eyes were heavily lidded, and Liam smirked. They’d stayed up a lot later than her normal bedtime the past few days, and he could understand why she was so tired.

“Yep, it’s time to start walking over. Let’s get your shoes on and grab your backpack.” Liam pulled out the satchel he carried every day and waited by the door as Cari moved like molasses.

As he waited for her to get everything on, he pulled out his phone and checked his messages. When he opened his inbox, he was surprised to see a new email from MK Malone. Excitement poured through him, and he clicked on it with his thumb.

Dear Mr. Pearson,

Thank you for your email. It was nice to hear from a good fan. I’ve given it a lot of thought and checked my schedule. I’d be able to come to your small town next week if that works for you. Wednesday would work the best, so just let me know what time you’d like to have me arrive.

I will have a red flower on my lapel so you know who I am.

I’ll wait to hear from you,

MK

“Yes!” Liam punched his hand into the air and laughed.

Cari scrunched her nose and stared at him. “Why are you so happy this early in the morning?”

Liam opened the door and walked down the front porch, pausing for Cari to follow. “I just got some good news.”

His mind was in the clouds as they walked along, and he was surprised when they came to the corner near the elementary school.

“Hey, Liam. I was wondering if you were back or not.” Danielle’s voice came to him like a song, and he turned, his cheeks hurting from smiling so wide for several minutes.

“We got back last night from the hospital.” Should he tell her about the email he’d just received? Or would it be better as a surprise for her? It took him a minute to realize she was in workout clothes, a fitted tank top and yoga pants. “Did you take up running while I was gone?”

Danielle looked down at her clothes. “Um, no. That would mean the world is ending. Now that she’s back from her honeymoon, Becca wanted me to try out the yoga class one of the ladies is putting on every week. I think they might bar me from entering ever again.”

Her eyes moved down, and Cari stood up from inspecting a bug on the sidewalk.

“Hi, Danielle,” Cari said, waving. “When are you going to go on a date with Uncle Liam again?”

Liam’s body froze at her comment, searching Danielle’s face for any reaction, good or bad.

“Well, I’m not sure. What if I want to come hang out with you instead?” Danielle knelt, looking at the young girl.

Cari grinned. “I can go for that.”

Liam shook his head behind her. She’d been spending so much time with Tasha that she’d begun to talk like the teenager.

“I think we’ll have to build a sandcastle or something sometime.” Danielle stuck her hand out, and Cari took it, shaking it with a big motion.

“When? Can you meet after school gets out?” Cari swayed back and forth as she talked, and Danielle laughed through most of it.

Danielle glanced back up at him, and his heart skipped a beat, his mouth going dry as he awaited her answer. “I have something today, but maybe tomorrow? You should probably head into school, or you’ll be late.” The bell rang, and kids started entering the elementary school.

Cari gave Danielle a devilish smile. “He’s free tonight, so you can go on a date.” The girl laughed as she ran off in the direction of the front doors.

His mouth dropped open in shock. “Cari, hurry on to your class. I’ll see you after.”

Danielle’s attention turned back to Liam, and he felt the shame of her stare. “How is Kara doing, really?”

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