Page 29 of My Knight Before Christmas
My lips tried to smile, but I tucked them in between my teeth instead. “Thank you.”
The rest of the morning went by fast. Turned out Liam picked up baking quite easily. Having an extra set of hands to help box up customers’ orders allowed me to clean the kitchen and start round two’s baking earlier than usual.
When my lunch-break rolled around, I thought for sure Liam would ditch out. He’d stayed way longer than I expected. I updated Drew on where I left things in the kitchen, and went out front to snag Liam for a quick bite to eat. Except, I stood at the door between the kitchen and counter staring at him.
He was deeply engaged in conversation with a woman debating the merits of a brownie, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, and eclair. From the way the woman fluttered her lashes and touched her long-hair, she was lapping up his attention.
Hands off, lady, he’smine. I strode over to Liam. “Liam?” I tapped his shoulder.
His shoulders jolted. “Oh, hey. Are you joining me out here for a change?” His eyes sparkled at the prospect.
“No. Actually, it’s lunchtime. Want to join me?”
He lifted his apron above his head. “Gladly. I’m starving.”
“The cafe across the street has really yummy sandwiches. Does that sound good? If not, we can go somewhere else. I just need to be back as soon as possible to give the other two a break.”
“I’ll follow wherever you lead.”
I hung my apron by the back door, then snatched my purse from Meg’s office before guiding Liam across the street. We stayed quiet until we ordered. Liam pulled my chair out for me before sitting across from me.
“Thank you for your help today,” I said. “I didn’t expect you to stay so long, especially since we haven’t really had time to be together. Or even talk.”
He reached a hand across the table, signaling he wanted me to place mine in his. “It’s more interaction than we’ve had all week. And I can see why you’ve been so exhausted.”
I placed my fingers in his. “You can go home if you want.”
“Not a chance.”
My brows furrowed. “For real? You want to stay longer? I’m not even paying you.”
He squeezed my palm. “There’s no place I’d rather be than where you are.”
My chest warmed like when I drank the hot chocolate he brought me earlier today. “I was trying to prove I could do it all on my own. Thank you for saving me from myself.”
“Anytime.” He smiled. “How about when Meg’s back we take a day and go on that hike?”
“As long as we spend the rest of the night lounging around. I’ve never been so tired in my life.”
“Yes. I’ll even rub your feet.”
How had I ever thought this man would cheat on me?
A waiter dropped off our sandwiches. Famished, I picked mine up and devoured half of it before I noticed Liam staring at me with an amused expression.
“What?” I looked at my shirt and lap to see if I’d dripped mustard down my front. Seeing nothing, I stared at Liam. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m admiring how you don’t hold back in front of me.”
I picked up the second-half of my sandwich. “What do you mean?”
“You’re not afraid to be who you are around me, and I appreciate that. I don’t want a fake, half, or walled-up girlfriend. I want to experience every side of you. And this.” he waved at my face, “is exactly what makes me like you so much.”
“That I’m stuffing my face?”
He laughed. “Yep.”
I dropped my sandwich back in the basket it came in. “Well, if we’re continuing our honesty, there’s another story I’d like to share with you about why I did what I did with Olivia. And before I start, I just want to apologize again for misjudging you.”
