Page 111 of Fix Them Up
‘She’ll have a pint.’
Ren’s eyebrows scrunched together. ‘Are you sure—’
‘Are you sure, Red?’ Liam glanced at me.
I grimaced. ‘Yeah. I mean, I’m not really a huge fan of cocktails. Willa used to order me her favourite – French 75 – when we went to the bar by our office.’
Ren grinned. ‘A Guinness with a side of French 75. Genius.’
Before I could protest, Ren had dipped behind the bar, pulling down the Guinness tap.
‘Were you telling the truth’ – Liam’s voice was thick – ‘or were you just trying to get him off our backs?’
My eyes met his and softened. Why was I putting him through this? He was holding so much of himself back, holding half of his heart back. I could see it in his eyes.
‘I’m staying, Liam.’ My eyes stung.
Liam exhaled hard. ‘You’re not pulling my leg?’
I laughed. ‘No.’
Liam launched out of his seat, grasped my neck and pressed his lips against mine. He poured everything into that kiss – relief,happiness and hope. Vaguely, I could hear Ren, Frank, and the kitchen staff whooping and hollering behind us.
Liam pulled back and pressed his forehead against mine. ‘I would have followed you anywhere if I could. But I can’t. So this is my chance to ask you properly. Stay. But stay because you love it here. Stay because you want to. But most importantly, stay because I love you.’ I took a sharp intake of breath. ‘You don’t have to say it back. Just tell me you’re staying again.’
‘I’m staying, Liam.’
Chapter Thirty-Four
We ran across the square, ducking under the canopy of the library. Our dash across had only felt like two seconds, but we were completely soaked. My hair had begun to frizz up already. I laughed at how ridiculous we looked. Rain covered my face and dress. Liam’s face was covered too, rain running down his cheeks, his hair flattening on his forehead. He tried to push it back, but it was no use.
The rain hit harder, pelting on the pavements.
‘Does it always rain this bad?’ I shouted. It was a downpour – April showers.
‘You’ll have to get used to it.’ He grinned and pulled me closer. ‘Are you cold?’
I smiled back. His smile was infectious. ‘No, I’m fine.’
Liam opened his coat. ‘You’re cold. You look cold.’
‘Okay.’ I smiled as Liam pulled me into his chest, his head resting on the top of mine.
I looked up at him, seeing raindrops on his dark eyelashes.
‘What’s next, boss?’
‘Don’t call me that,’ he rumbled.
‘What’s wrong with boss?’ I asked, grinning. I knew exactly what was wrong with calling him boss.
‘I’d stop now, or you’ll find out,’ he said as he pulled me closer. I couldfeelhow much it had affected him. It had affected him big time.
He leaned into my hair. ‘You smell so good. It used to drive me mad when we were working on the house. I could smell your perfume in whatever room you’d been meddling in.’
‘I didn’t meddle!’
‘Hmmm. Sure.’ He smelt my neck, planting a kiss there. We were basically mounting each other in the middle of a city. I looked around. St Peter’s Square was quiet. It looked like everyone else had the same idea – duck under something to keep dry until the worst of the rain was over.
