Page 28 of My Knight Before Christmas
“I’m so sorry,” I cried out. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I’d totally misjudged him. I didn’t trust him and that had to change.Ihad to change if our second chance was going to work. Why didn’t I believe in myself or Liam more? “I thought you were cheating on me. I didn’t understand how you could be so sweet while two-timing me. My aunt and uncle have a horrible marriage and I’ve always been scared I’d pick the wrong guy. I jumped to the worst case scenario to save myself from being hurt again. I’m sorry. I will work on trusting you and asking you directly whenever I’m insecure instead of giving into my fears.”
Liam pulled me into him, wrapping his arm around me. “I would never cheat on you. I’m not that kind of guy. I’m a little hurt you would ever think that.”
“I know you wouldn’t,” I whimpered. “That’s what makes this so frustrating. Why can’t I let myself be happy?”
“It’s hard to let go of old fears, anxiety, and past hurts in order to trust someone enough to take care of your heart. I messed up earlier. You made a mistake this time. We’re going to do and say things that unintentionally hurt one another. It’s life. What will make our relationship strong is being open and honest. We have to learn to trust and forgive each other. I’m all in, Avery. Are you?”
A thousand percent, yes. My heart flooded with heat as I answered with the truth. “Yes, Liam. I’m all in.”
“Good.” He kissed the top of my head. “Now, put me to work.”
I pulled out of his embrace. “Do you even know how to bake?”
He grinned. “I can follow directions.”
If he didn’t know what he was doing, it would only complicate my job rather than lighten my load. “Can you cut brownies?”
“Yeah, I can handle that.”
I grabbed his hand in mine, tugging him to the kitchen. “Come on, let’s get your hands washed and find you an apron.” With Drew around our conversation would be limited. But having Liam,My Liam, here ready to help me, I knew exactly how much he cared for me.
Liam swiped the drinks he brought and carried them with him to the back.
“Drew,” I hollered.
He startled, sending me a confused look before taking an earbud out. I pointed to Liam. “This is Liam Knight. He’s going to help us this morning.”
Drew eyed Liam. “Have you worked at a bakery before?”
“Nope.” Liam passed over a cup. “I brought drinks, though.”
Drew took the cup, sipped it, nodded once, and then told Liam, “Welcome aboard.” He put his headphones back in and completely ignored us.
Alright then. Nice to know where Drew stood on welcoming new people into our kitchen. “I brought you hot chocolate.” Liam handed a cup to me. Of course, he knew I preferred that to coffee or tea.
“Thank you.” I wrapped greedy hands around the paper cup and took a small sip. Silky smooth chocolate, like drinking a melted gourmet candy bar, slid down my throat. “Mmmm. Is this Belgian Hot Chocolate?”
He grinned. “Only the best for My Avery.”
“Thank you.” I got Liam situated with a few tasks while I went back to mixing the cupcake batter. I kept accidentally bumping into him, not used to having an extra person in the kitchen. The fourth time my back-side hit Liam, he snaked an arm around my waist, trapping me to his side, and whispered in my ear. “If you wanted to touch me so bad, all you had to do was ask.”
Goosebumps formed on my arms, sending a shiver through me.
“Cold?” Liam whispered again, his breath teasing my neck once again.
Drew cleared his throat, staring at daggers at me. “No canoodling in the kitchen.”
My cheeks erupted in flames. I did not care for Drew to get a front-row seat to Liam’s flirting.
Liam smirked. “Canoodling?”
“You heard me.” Drew stood his ground. “Hands off or I’ll kick you out.”
A laugh burst out of me, which I quickly covered with a cough. Liam stood a good four-inches taller than Drew and had at least twenty pounds of muscle compared to Drew’s lean frame.
“First off,” I cut-in on the stare down happening between the two men. “As the acting boss, you’re not kicking anyone out,” I scolded Drew. “Second.” I turned to Liam and spoke in a kinder tone. “There’s no touching allowed. Meg’s rule since her ex—actually it doesn’t matter why the rules are in place. We need to follow them.”
Liam immediately let me go. “I respect that, Boss.” He winked.
