Page 51 of Had To Be You

The doorman to the Seaside New York greets us as we step into the opulent lobby of one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever seen. It’s a wonder there is any marble left in the world, because it looks like they’ve used every square inch of it in this hotel. A Verona black-and-gold stone fireplace stretches to the top of the vaulted ceiling on my left and a grand white-and-gold veined staircase is to my right. It leads from the lobby to a mezzanine overlooking a swanky bar called The Gold Room. There are pretty pastries on tiered displays sitting on top of a long marble waterfall island in the center of the room that my stomach is itching to sample, with three giant crystal chandeliers hovering over top. Looking around me in awe, I can’t help but feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Minus the prostitute part, of course.

“Liam, this is beyond incredible. It’s so beautiful,” I gush, overwhelmed by the opulence of the place. I take in the sheer beauty of Liam’s family’s hotel and can’t help but feel proud to be here with him.

“You like it?”

“I love it,” I tell him, finding it difficult to focus on any one thing.

“The look on your face is priceless,” he laughs. “Come on. Let’s check in. I have a feeling you are going to like the room they have reserved for us just as much as the lobby.”

Liam clasps my hand in his and pulls me towards the front desk.

“Mr. Bennett. It’s good to see you.”

“Please, call me Liam, and thank you. We are excited to be here.”

The man at the desk looks to be in his forties and according to his name tag, his name is Andrew. He seems well-acquainted with the Bennett family, greeting Liam with a wide smile.

“How’s Parker doing? We all really miss having him around.”

Looking around the lobby again, I can see why Parker liked living in this hotel while he managed it for eight years. That was before he reconnected with Olivia and they moved to Cape May. Who could blame him? Someone cleaning up after him, those mini-fridges no doubt stocked with all the best snacks. If I lived here, I would order French fries every day just so I could get those little personal ketchup bottles. I freaking love those miniature jars.

“You’re all set. If you are in need of anything during your stay, please don’t hesitate to ask. We are excited to have you and-“

Liam slides a glance my way before squeezing my hand in his. “Thank you. We look forward to it too. This is Ellie Reeves, my girlfriend,” Liam says with a slow smile, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I blink and my heart threatens to burst right out of my chest. We stare at each other for longer than we should before turning our attention back to Andrew behind the desk. He’s said something to us, but I haven’t heard a single word. Not after Liam referred to me as his girlfriend. I’m surprised at my reaction. First because I liked it, and second because this thing between the two of us is starting to feel normal.

“Ellie, should we check out our room?” Liam asks, shaking me from my thoughts. He is already handing our suitcases off to a bellman.

“Yes, of course.”

Liam leads us to an elevator that takes us up to the Grand Penthouse. “You ready?” he asks, opening the door and gesturing for me to lead the way. I nod, crossing the threshold into the most luxurious suite I have ever seen. My hand flies to my mouth as I take in the large living room decorated in gold and taupe. There is a bar in the far corner and a dining table large enough to seat twelve. Sliding accordion-style doors lead from the living room to a terrace where I notice a fireplace and a hot tub, and beyond that a view of the Hudson. My eyes travel upwards to a stone staircase to the left. Liam catches my eye. “That’s where the bedrooms are,” he says, a coy smile tugging at his lips.

“Bedrooms? As in plural? As in more than one?” I ask.

He chuckles, his smile reaching his eyes. “Yes, plural. But we will only be needing one of them.”

Oh my god, I mouth to Liam, who just shakes his head and grins. I admit I’ve sometimes wondered how the rich vacation. Now I know.

There’s a knock at the door and the bellman announces that he is here with our luggage. Liam strides through the foyer, digging his wallet from his back pocket, while I take off my shoes and slip outside to the terrace. I take in the stunning view, the turquoise blue of the sky dissolving into the deeper, sparkling blue of the Hudson River. I tip my face to the sun, soaking in its warmth.

For the second time today, Liam has blown me away. I can’t believe the man I thought was surly and testy and only into himself has done all of this for me. Me. A completely selfless gesture, after I just told him it was a bucket list dream of mine to come to New York City. I’m falling for this new Liam; the one who holds my hand, who tells me I’m beautiful, who really listens to me when we talk. He’s not the man I thought he was. He’s proving to be so much more.

Liam has opened himself up to me in ways I never expected. He’s been honest and vulnerable, and it kills me knowing that I haven’t done the same for him. I want to let him in, but there are still things about my life he doesn’t know, walls I haven’t been ready to tear down. I know that I need to tell Liam about Mason. And I want to, but fear keeps stopping me from telling my story.

I can feel Liam’s presence behind me on the patio. His hands drag my hair over my left shoulder, and his lips gently press a kiss to the back of my neck. I shiver.

“The view is pretty spectacular,” he says softly, his arms wrapping around me as I turn in his embrace to face him. I run my hand through his thick dark hair. He closes his eyes, leaning into my touch, and murmurs, “Mmm, I love it when you do that.”

I continue to drag my fingertips back and forth through his hair, enjoying the calm that has settled over us. He closes his eyes, leaning into my touch like a cat who is enjoying a massage.

“So, girlfriend, huh?” I ask with a grin, wanting to know where we stand.

He slowly opens his eyes and the way he smiles at me knocks me off balance. “I told you Ells, I want it to be just us. I’m serious. Unless you’d prefer a different label, girlfriend is what I’m going with.”

My knees wobble ever so slightly and I’m completely lost in this moment with this man who destroys me. I’m not sure how I got so lucky to have Liam to want me. To choose me. He’s standing here in front me, vulnerable, and I can’t stand the thought of losing him. I need tonight with him.

“I’d like that,” I tell him in a voice thick with emotion. He reaches for my cheek, brushing the back of his knuckles across my skin.

“Yeah?” he asks with a soft chuckle. His hands pull my body into his.

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