Page 39 of Anywhere with You
I laugh out loud while squirming away. “I’m just really happy,” I gasp between laughs.
Liam tightens his hold on me. “You aren’t going anywhere,” hesays as he flips over on top of me, resting his weight on his arms by my head. He’s looking at me with a huge grin on his face, the one he reserves for me.
“What’s got you so happy this morning?” I throw his words right back at him, still laughing from his onslaught of tickling.
“That’s the most beautiful sound, I love hearing you laugh.” He gives me a chaste kiss. “As for my happiness, let’s see; I made love for the first time to the most beautifully sexy woman I’ve ever met, I held her in my arms all night, and I wake up to her still in my arms and the sound of her delightful laughter. That, my beautiful girl, is the short list of why I’m so happy this morning.” He then kisses me with so much passion I’m ready to go another round. I lift my hips to his, letting him know what I want. Liam pulls away from our kiss breathing heavily. “Baby, it’s too soon. I know you’re sore, and I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m fine, I can deal with it. I want you,” I beg him.
Liam shakes his head. “We can’t, baby, I don’t want to hurt you.” He kisses my forehead. “Let’s get in the shower and grab some breakfast before we head home.”
I grumble my agreement and let him pull me off the bed. He’s right I am sore, but the pleasure of being with him is so worth any amount of pain.
The next several weeks are a whirlwind of happiness. I introduced Liam to Gran as my boyfriend. To say that she’s happy for us is an understatement. Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself to make sure that I’m not dreaming. Our relationship has evolved and I love him more every day. As soon as we both stopped fighting it, everything just fell into place. Liam and I spend as much time together as possible. I spend more time at his condo than the dorm rooms. Hailey is there as well. The four of us just kind of fit together as one big unit.
School is out for Thanksgiving break, so Liam and I spend a lot of time together. Thursday, Liam, Aiden, and I are having Thanksgiving dinner with Gran and Aiden’s parents. I alsoinvited Hailey to join us, since their parents are waiting until the next day to do their Thanksgiving dinner. So, here we are on Wednesday night driving to Gran’s. Liam’s going to stay at Aiden’s while Hailey stays with me and Gran. Gran didn’t say this needed to be the arrangement, but out of respect for her, we’ve decided this is the best way, even though we hate to sleep without each other.
As soon as Liam pulls into Gran’s driveway, I’m out the door and running to see Gran. It’s been three long weeks since I’ve seen her, and I miss her so much. I hear Aiden laughing behind me as they unload our bags for the night. I barrel through the door. “Gran, we’re here!” I yell for her.
“I’m in the den, Allie girl,” she calls back.
I reach the den and drop to my knees in front of her chair and engulf her in a hug, careful not to hurt her. Gran is the constant in my life, and I miss her. I pull away and kiss her on the cheek just as Aiden, Liam, and Hailey enter the room. Aiden walks over to Gran and hugs her. I hold my hand out to Liam while motioning for Hailey to come over as well.
Liam and Hailey say hello to Gran. They both give her a gentle hug and I can feel my chest expand with love for all three of my best friends.
“Thank you all for spending the holiday with me. I’m so glad my Allie girl has met such nice friends,” Gran says as she turns to face Aiden. “And you, it’s been way too long. I think I’m going to need another hug,” she tells him with a smile.
Aiden quickly obliges her as the rest of us take a seat. We sit and talk to Gran for a few hours until it’s obvious she’s completely worn out.
“Guys, I’ll be right back. I’m just going to help Gran get settled,” I tell them. I help Gran ease out of her chair and lead her down the hall to get ready for bed.
“You love him,” she says matter of fact.
“Yeah, I really do. He and Aiden have been best friends sinceAiden’s first year of college. He’s such a great guy, Gran.” I blush from my onslaught of gushing over Liam.
“He loves you too, you know,” she states. “He’s the color on your canvas.”
I feel tears prick my eyes at her referral to what she has told me since I was a little girl.Life is a giant canvas, Allie, and you should throw as much paint on it as you can. I nod my head to agree with her. “Yeah, I really think he does, and I think he is. He tells me every day how beautiful he thinks I am and how much I mean to him,” I tell her as I finish helping her into bed and kissing her cheek goodnight.
“Follow your heart, sweet girl. It will lead you to happiness.”
“Goodnight, Gran. I love you.” I kiss her cheek again.
“Goodnight, Allie girl.”
When I get back to the den everyone is exhausted from the long day, it’s after midnight. Hailey and I walk the guys out to the porch.
“So, dinner will be ready at one, so don’t be late,” I tell them.
Aiden laughs. “Mom will be here early to help cook. Do you really think we’re going to pass up a big home cooked meal?” he asks me, like it’s the craziest thing he has ever heard.
“Can I do anything to help you?” Liam asks me.
“Holy shit, you’re more whipped than I thought,” Aiden says, punching Liam in the arm and laughing.
Liam smiles. “You’re damn right I am, my girl comes first, always,” he says, kissing me softly. He pulls away and rests his forehead on mine. “Sweet dreams, beautiful girl.” Then he kisses me again, slow and sweet. I could stand here all night, but Aiden and Hailey clearing their throats brings me back to reality.
“Goodnight,” I whisper against his lips with one last chaste kiss.
