Page 9 of My Knight Before Christmas
Unlike last time, Liam chased me. “Avery, stop,” he yelled.
I urged my legs to pump faster. My heart and breath were choppy. It was useless against Liam, his long legs easily caught up to me. He tugged my arm, stopping me.
Our chests heaved in unison as we caught our breath. I hunched over, resting my hands on my knees.
“Stop running from me,” he huffed out.
“I’m too scared not to.” My words came out breathy and stilted—partly from running, but mostly from the emotions stuck in my throat. “I don’t want to be like my aunt and uncle. They continuously hurt one another and I refuse to let that be me.” By allowing Liam back in my life, I repeated the same pattern I watched my entire life. I loved myself too much to be treated that way.
“I’m sorry.” He shoved both hands in his hair, fisting his fingers. “I wish I handled it better. I wish my family wasn’t so broken. I wish I leaned on you. Most of all, I wish you would give me another chance. Will youpleaseforgive me?”
I too wished he’d done things differently. Regardless, I couldn’t stay mad at him. Not when he already had too big of a burden with his family. In his place, I might have behaved the same. Withholding forgiveness would only hurt me more than it already had. “Yes,” I whispered. “I forgive you.”
He pulled me into him. When both of his arms came around my back, my chest melted like gooey caramel. The rest of me said,I’ve missed this. I relaxed into his embrace, allowing the moment of stillness to set my heart and mind at peace in offering him forgiveness. But nothing more.
“I promise to never do anything like that again.” He pulled back to look me in the eyes. “You’ve been the best part of the last year for me.”
I waited for the panic to set in. For the need to drown my feelings in sugar. It never came. Forgiving Liam was easy. The hard part was risking my heart again. Something I wasn’t willing to do.
“You were the best part for me as well. But I can’t dive back in.” I learned some lessons from this fiasco. Ones I didn’t intend to repeat.
He took my chin between his fingers, tilting my face toward his. “I’ll wait. As long as you need.” He placed a light kiss on my cheek, then stepped away. “That doesn’t mean ignoring you, either. From now on, prepare to be bombarded with communication from me.”
My skin tingled as if pop rocks exploded where he kissed me. A cool breeze contrasted the warmth Liam offered me, inside and out. I allowed myself to dream for the slightest moment what our future would be. Sundays watching basketball and football games while cuddling on the couch. Strolls along the beach. Nights cooking dinner together. I wound every thought like thread on a spool, then threw it in the trash.
It didn’t matter what Liam and I could be. I couldn’t trust him to not shut me out again.
Six
Aspromised,Liamcontactedme every day. I was in the kitchen at Frostings piping custard into eclair shells when my phone buzzed. Peeling my gloves off, I pulled my cell out of my pants pocket.
Liam:Listened toLove Sickby Maroon 5 on the way to work today. It made me think of you.
Of course I had to look up the lyrics. I was part flattered, part annoyed. Even if Liam felt that way about me, I couldn’t trust him to not hurt me again. I shoved my phone back in my jeans pocket without responding. The next day, he texted again.
Liam:Mornin’ beautiful. Sleep well? I’ve been keeping a list of everything I’ve missed the last few months. Here goes:
1. The beach.
2. Avery’s laugh.
3. Fresh seafood.
4. Avery’s smile.
5. My bed.
6. Avery’s silky hair.
7. Watching whatever I want on TV without my sister’s interference.
8. Avery wrapped in my arms.
9. Basketball.
10. Avery’s humor.
11. Avery’s open heart.
