“My sister-in-law did that too,” I added, hoping to smooth over the growing awkwardness. “It eventually worked. My nephew still loves going for walks, but in a stroller now.”
Mara chuckled. “I’m more than ready to use the stroller.”
Pete and Liam stared at each other for a beat and looked away, content to let Mara and me take over.
Eventually, I slipped my hand free of Liam’s and set it on his back. “We should go. Best of luck to you.”
“Thank you. Same to you both,” Mara enthused.
They moved on in the opposite direction. We didn’t speak. I wasn’t sure what to say, and I wasn’t sure what was going on in Liam’s head. He seemed…rattled.
“So, that’s your ex,” I said as we veered toward the boardwalk.
“Uh…yeah.”
“His wife seems nice.”
“Mmhmm. That was weird.” He shook his head in frustration and reached into his pocket for his car keys. He unlocked the door, pausing to meet my gaze over the hood of the car. “I’m sorry.”
I settled in the passenger seat and fastened my seat belt. “There’s no reason to apologize.”
He let out a full-body sigh as he checked the rearview mirror. “Yeah, there is. I called you my boyfriend and made things…awkward.”
“It wasn’t awkward for me,” I assured him, studying his profile for clues as he pulled out of the parking space and drove toward the exit.
Warning bells were ringing in my head, and I wasn’t sure why. Running into an ex with his new person was always strange. At first, anyway. Hell, I was the one who broke up with Elliot, and it had fucking killed me to see him kiss my replacement. In my heart and my head, I knew we were over, but something made me wonder if I’d been too hasty. Fuck…maybe Liam was mentally sifting through that old baggage now. Maybe he held my hand to prove something to his ex—not as a sign that I was his person…his future.
Holy crap. I was officially a head case.
As if he could read my mind, he said, “You know, I never held his hand. I’d never held a guy’s hand at all…till you.”
“Oh.” Silence. I let it build for a mile or two before I asked a question I wasn’t sure I wanted an answer to. “Was it hard for you to meet her? She’s pregnant and sweet and they’ve obviously built a life that he didn’t give you a shot at and—”
“Whoa!” Liam snorted as he turned into my apartment complex. “No, no, no. You misunderstood. I don’t care about Pete. I’m not sure I even like the guy anymore, but I wish him a good life. I hope they’re happy. Honestly.”
“Then why…?” I twirled my wrist, hoping actual words weren’t necessary. “Why are you sad?”
“I’m not sad. I’m…tired of hiding.”
My heart plummeted. I knew what he meant. I hated it too, but I didn’t know if it was fair to ask for more. Especially now.
“Me too. I’m not like him, Li. I’m not afraid to admit I want you.”
“I know. You’re just…careful.”
“Maybe a little, but I’m proud to be with you,” I insisted. “Very proud.”
Liam pulled in front of my building and tapped the clock in his dashboard. “Hey, let’s drop it. You have to go to work, and I’m meeting my friends. I might be too drunk to text tonight…but if I do and it sounds sappy, ignore me. I’ll see you tomorrow, baby.”
I kissed him, pressing my lips to his with more emphasis than usual. I felt like I was losing my grip on a thread-worn tether. I wasn’t ready to let go, but I might not have a choice.
“Bye,” I rasped as I climbed out of the car, closing the door.
“Hey…” He called, rolling down the passenger window. “Just so you know, I’m proud of you too. I was proud to hold your hand out there. I’d do it every day if you’d let me. Every day.”
I stared at him like an idiot, too surprised to reply.
And then he was gone.
Derek closed Bonne Terre an hour early the following evening. He mentioned his party plans before we opened the doors. According to him, it would be a low-key affair with light appetizers, wine, and beer. He told Jade to invite Liam’s friends to join the festivities, but to plan on getting kicked out by ten p.m.
“My man is strict,” Gabe commented, flashing an indulgent grin when Derek reminded him not to encourage the water polo boys to get too wild. “Babe, you can’t have a party and tell your guests not to have fun.”
Derek rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I’m suggesting. I just don’t want the police to get a call because we’re accidentally throwing a college rager. Some of these guys party hard.”
“Yeah, like the guest of honor,” Gabe snarked.
I glanced across the bistro at Liam, who was surrounded by a gaggle of friends and admirers. He looked happy and handsome as fuck in a navy button-down shirt and jeans. I hadn’t had an opportunity to really talk to him yet. I had things to say. Important things. This probably wasn’t the time, though, I mused, sipping my vodka cranberry as I tried to place faces with names.