Comfort Zone (Awkward Love 4)

“Are you okay?” I ask, planting a gentle kiss on his mouth.

He nods. “Yeah, I’m just feeling a little off. Maybe I have what you have?” he suggests.

God, I hope not.

He takes my hand and pulls me into his arms, kissing along my neck. I close my eyes and I breathe in his smell, because I’ll never get sick of being this close to him. I scored myself the best guy in the world, and I tell myself every day how lucky I am to have him.

He smiles and brushes my mouth with his, my lips tingling when he kisses me. I open my eyes so I can see the smile that I know is there. His blue eyes burn through me. My heart pounds.

This is it. My moment.

I just need to force those two little words out. I’m pregnant.

Just say it.

I open my mouth, then close it when my phone rings. I breathe fast and reach into my pocket for my phone, confused when I see it’s Liam’s mother. I show Liam, who shrugs.

Why is she calling me?

“Hello?” I say.

“Oh, thank God. I’ve been trying to call Liam, but his phone is off. Is he with you? I need you down here. It’s Grammy.”

“We’re on our way.”

My heart pounds as I look up at Liam, who waits expectantly for me to speak.

“Something is wrong with Grammy.”The moment we get off the elevator on Grammy’s floor, I can hear her yelling. I’m relieved, because yelling at least means she’s alive. I try to listen, but I can’t make out what she’s saying. I glance at Liam, who shrugs.

“Mom?” Liam calls out as we enter the room.

We stop in our tracks, taking in the sight of Grammy hurling abuse at a police officer.

“What’s she done now?” Liam asks his mom.

“She was robbed.”

Liam stares at her in shock. “Are you kidding me? Is she okay?”

“She’s okay, just shaken up.”

“This is my fault. I shouldn’t have left her alone,” Liam mumbles. “What did they take? Is she hurt?”

“She’s not hurt,” she assures us. “Just shaken up. I think it’s more the fact that her engagement ring is gone.” She glances at Liam and shakes her head.

“Her engagement ring?”

Liam’s mouth twitches. Is he smiling? I study him, not sure what to make of his odd reaction. He’s probably just in shock. I take his hand since he’s clearly not coping, then I nudge him, hard, until the smirk disappears.

He walks over to Grammy and crouches down next to her. She glares at him.

“Hey, Grammy.”

“What do you want?” she snaps. “I’ve already tipped the other bellboy. You’re not getting another cent out of me.”

“Grammy, it’s Liam. Your grandson.” He pauses. “I was in here before. Do you remember?”

“Can’t you see I’m in the middle of something?” she yells, frustrated.

“You were in here before?” The officer steps forward to address Liam in a low voice. “How was she?”

Grammy glares at him.

“She was fine.” Liam frowns. “We had a good talk...” He hesitates and then lowers his voice. “Can I speak to you outside for a moment?”

“Have you found it?” Grammy pleads. “I need it. It’s very important.”

She reaches out and grips my hand, pulling me down to eye level. My eyes widen, the strength in her surprising me.

“They’ll find it,” I soothe her. “I promise.”

I crouch down lower and wince, sighing when the most recent wave of nausea passes. I stand up before anyone says anything and look around. Liam walks back into the room and over to me, followed by his mom. She smiles at me. I smile back, noting how puffy and red her eyes are. She’s really upset. But why is she smiling, then? Liam shoots her a look and the smile goes. Okay, now I’m even more confused. He walks over to me and takes my hand. I’m about to ask if his mom is okay, when he speaks.

“Let’s go back to our room and think about what we can do. Then maybe we can go downstairs for some dinner? I booked us into a nice little place overlooking the park across the road, if you feel up to it.”

I want to say no, but he looks so hopeful that I can’t do it. Besides, this is the perfect opportunity to tell him. And he’s probably right about leaving this to the cops.

“Okay.” I smile at him.

On the way back to our room, we discuss Grammy and her ring.

“I mean it’s possible that she put it somewhere and doesn’t remember,” Liam reasons.

“But the whole story about someone taking it? I’m sure she told the cop it was a man. That’s a little extreme, even for Grammy.”

“Not when she’s having an episode,” he points out.

“Maybe.”

Walking into our room, I ignore the calls of the bed beckoning me to lie down, and I take a long shower instead. It’s been a while since Liam and I have been out anywhere together, so I go all out and put on a nice dress, do my makeup, and style my hair.