Page 11 of My Knight Before Christmas
I rolled my eyes again. Liam preferred action flicks. He’d be miserable suffering through one of my choices.Me:You’re just saying that to spend time with me.
Liam:And?
Me:I’m not ready for that.
Liam:Okay.
I appreciated him respecting my boundaries and not pushing. Yes, he extended an invitation or casually tried to see me. But every time I said no, he accepted my answer. Keeping him out of my life would be a whole lot easier if he were a monster.
Twenty-five minutes later, my doorbell chimed. Anna and Amy were out tonight, and I wasn’t expecting anyone. I wrapped my cardigan tighter around my bra-free chest and opened my door, so only my head peered around it. On my porch sat a plastic bag with the scent of sweet and tangy smoked meat radiating off it.
I picked up the package, bringing it to the kitchen table. When I opened the styrofoam container, my favorite rib and chicken combo plate from Big Docs rested inside.
I texted Liam.Me:Did you have Big Docs delivered to my house?
Liam:*gif of judge saying guilty* I knew you were tired and wouldn’t want to cook.
Building emotion stung my nose and burned my eyes. I rubbed a hand over my face forcing the tears inside before texting him back.Me:That was very kind of you. Thank you.
I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to have Liam join me while I ate. We’d sit side by side, our legs touching from hip to knee. I’d hold my fork up to Liam, offering to feed him. Our eyes would lock. My heart would race in anticipation. I’d accidentally get barbeque sauce on his lips, which I’d generously kiss off his mouth. Our food would grow cold as our kiss extended.
My stomach clenched like someone had ripped my insides out. Nope. No good would come of such fantasies. I took my plate to the couch and turned onNorth & South. Right after I snuggled into my cozy blankets for the night, my phone pinged.
Liam:Did you see the sunset? It reminded me of the time we watched one together. The light hit your hair just right that night, making it look like gold weaved through it.
How had he noticed such a small detail? I remember that night like it happened yesterday. On our fourth date, we went to a sushi making class. Liam wore a fitted black tee paired with jeans that hugged his backside perfectly. The chef had to repeat his instructions multiple times because I couldn’t stop staring at the gorgeous man who kept purposely brushing his fingers against mine while we made dinner. My entire body was on fire with Liam being so close—flirting, smiling, touching. After we ate, Liam drove us to an overlook where we climbed onto the hood of his SUV and watched the sun lower in the sky. His brown eyes were rich, deep, and entirely hypnotic. He took a piece of my heart that night and we hadn’t even kissed yet.
Me:Unfortunately I missed it.
Liam:We’ll have to catch one together another time.
I had a confused head and wobbly heart. I wanted to give Liam another chance. But my head warned me of the dangers of trusting him again.
Seven
Liam:Working with a perfumery. They brought in samples of the products we’d be creating a campaign for. Not a single one smelled as good as you do.
Me:Itishard to beat the smell of baked sugar and bread.
Liam:You have NO idea.
Another few days of texts came and went before I finally agreed to a date. I held out as long as possible, but from the moment I met him, my soul connected with his. And despite our three-month hiatus, I never stopped liking him. No one had measured up since we dated. I quit fighting the battle and gave in. It did not mean I agreed to be exclusive with him. Or even considered anything past tonight. But I was willing to see where one evening took us.
“Are you sure I can pull off this outfit?” I asked Anna for the eighteenth time while I twirled in the full-length mirror. “I don’t look like a professor or something?”
“Good gracious woman, you are killing me,” she complained. “Yes! You look amazing. Liam won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.”
I asked Anna to help me get ready for my second first date with Liam. Hummingbirds had nested in my belly since he said he’d pick me up today at four. He refused to tell me what we were doing. His only instructions were to dress warmly. According to Anna, my dark jeans and striped sweater were too casual. Even if I wore a cocktail dress, she would find a fault. I switched my top out for a blouse paired with a black blazer.
I may have tackled her, asking for details of where we were going since Liam told Spencer and Spencer told Anna. But that woman was harder to crack than the CIA.
“I’m nervous,” I admitted.
After our first date, we texted all the time. Random tidbits about ourselves, memes we thought were funny, memories from our childhood. I knew his favorite song, book, movie, color, food, sport, vacation, and more. What would we talk about on our date? How did we pretend the last three months hadn’t happened while maintaining the newness of dating again?
“Look at me,” Anna directed. I met her determined, blue-eyed gaze. “Just like you, Liam never stopped liking you. Stop letting this,” she tapped my temple, “overrule this.” She touched my heart. “I know tonight might be weird at first, but try to let go of the negative and focus on the positive. Liam is not your aunt and uncle. Remember that, okay?”
Right, because that was ever so easy.
