26. Emma
26
EMMA
Liam stares out at the darkened orchard, his brow furrowed in thought. Ever since his phone call, a veil of worry has settled over him. I bite my lip, resisting the urge to pry. There will be a time for it, but not right now.
With a final flourish, I hang the last lantern on the swaying branch. It casts a warm glow on Liam's face, highlighting the worry lines etched around his eyes. “There,” I say with a sigh of satisfaction, stepping back to admire our handiwork. Fairy lights twinkle like constellations, casting an ethereal glow over the blossoming trees. The dance floor, crafted from reclaimed wood, reflects the soft light, promising a night of celebration.
“It's beautiful,” Liam says softly, his voice tinged with a distant echo.
“It is, isn't it?” I agree, a smile playing on my lips. “June and Damon are going to love it.”
We stand in comfortable silence for a moment, the only sound the chirping crickets serenading the night. Glancing at my watch, I gasp. “Oh my gosh, it's almost midnight! Where did the time go?”
Liam shrugs. “Lost in the fairy lights, I guess.”
A chuckle escapes my lips. “Well, we did manage to get everything done.” I survey the transformed orchard, a sense of accomplishment washing over me. “You know what? I'm beat. How about you? You up for driving all the way back to town at this hour?”
He hesitates, then shakes his head. “Honestly, I don't think so. That drive back in the dark wouldn't be very relaxing.”
A mischievous glint flashes in my eyes. “There's always another option.”
Raising an eyebrow in question, he follows my gaze as I point across the orchard toward a small, charming cottage nestled amongst the trees. A warm yellow glow emanates from the windows, creating a picture of welcoming comfort.
“June rented out a guest cottage for whoever's helping with the last-minute details,” I explain. “Technically, it's for anyone who needs a place to stay.”
“Really?” he asks, surprise lacing his voice.
“Really,” I confirm with a wink. “So, what do you say? Crash here for the night and save yourself the drive?”
He considers it for a moment, then nods slowly. “Alright, why not? Sounds better than battling the highway after all this work.”
Following a meandering path bathed in moonlight, we reach the cottage. It is a picture-perfect fairytale dwelling, complete with a weathered wooden door and a climbing rose clinging to the side. Opening the door, I usher Liam inside.
Warm light from a crackling fire bathes the room in a cozy glow. A plush sofa sits invitingly in front of the fireplace, and a basket filled with firewood sits next to it. The air is heavy with the inviting scent of pine and cinnamon.
Liam walks further into the room, his eyes taking in the details. “This is nice,” he says, a soft smile gracing his lips.
“It is, isn't it?” I reply, pleased with his reaction. “June has a knack for finding these hidden gems.”
I motion for him to make himself at home while I go to get some glasses. A moment later, I return with two crystal wine goblets and a bottle of red wine.
“I figured we could celebrate our accomplishment,” I say, uncorking the bottle. “What do you say?”
He extends his glass, and I pour a generous amount of wine. “Cheers,” he says, his gaze meeting mine. “To a successful setup, and a beautiful wedding.”
“Cheers,” I echo, clinking my glass against his.
We take a sip of the wine, a comfortable silence settling between us once again. We sit by the fireplace, the gentle crackle of the fire filling the quiet space. The moon casts a bright glow through the window, bathing the room in an ethereal light.
“It's hard to believe,” I muse, swirling the wine in my glass, “that a few months ago, we were practically enemies who hated each other.”
Liam chuckles. “Yeah, those were some…interesting times,” he says, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
“Interesting is one way to put it,” I reply with a playful smile. “I was this close to kicking you off the wedding train.”
“And I was this close to questioning your sanity,” he counters, his eyes twinkling. “But hey, at least it makes for a good story now, right?”
“The best,” I agree, raising my glass to him in a toast.
We share a smile, the playful banter charged with a spark of something more. “What are you thinking about?”
I grin, reaching out to flick out a strand of Liam’s hair off his face. I stare at his face, and all I can think about is having those lips on me, kissing me, sucking on my nipple, buried between my legs…just before he sinks his cock inside me.
Fuck, this man makes me crazy.
“You know damn well what I’m thinking about.”
His pull is too strong. I can’t escape it. I don’t even want to. I lean upward to let our lips meet. I can’t do without him, I’m already addicted. With a low groan, I welcome his tongue into my mouth, lust ripping through me, making me rub my thighs together.
I grab the front of his shirt, hungry with need. As we kiss, my hands travel lower until they brush against the thick hard proof that he wants me as much as I want him. I grip his cock, and he hisses. I unfasten his pants, lower the zipper, and he pops into my hand.
“Holy shit,” I groan as I look up at him.
He shrugs and smiles down at me. “Decided to go commando today.”
I bat my lashes at him and drag my tongue over my lips. “Now I love myself a prepared man.”
I lift my waist and lower my own jeans. His hands join me, pulling both my panties and jeans down. I’m fucking ready for him to take me right here. Heat is boiling in my veins, and I can feel the warmth of my wetness between my legs.
He reaches for his wallet for a condom but comes up short. I grab him, holding his stiff length at the base.
“C’mon, Liam,” I roll my eyes. “We’ve done this without a condom before.”
Liam pulls back slightly, breathing heavily. “I guess you have an IUD or are you on the pill?”
I shake my head, catching my breath. “No, I don’t. I only use after-pills since I don’t have sex often.”
The spark in his eyes dims, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. “Seriously, Emma?” he asks, his voice laced with frustration. “You don't use any birth control?”
The playful atmosphere evaporates like a mist. My stomach clenches, and a wave of heat flushes my cheeks. “It's not like I have sex all the time, Liam,” I stammer, my voice defensive. “I just… I usually use the morning-after pill if something unexpected happens.”
His jaw clenches, and his frustration morphs into something akin to anger. “Unexpected? Emma, this isn't unexpected! We're not teenagers sneaking around behind a movie theater. This is… This is different. We’ve been constantly having sex for weeks now.”
His words sting. Maybe a part of me has been clinging to that carefree feeling, the stolen kiss under the fairy lights. But Liam is right. This is different. This is…real. And the reality of the situation, the potential consequences, comes crashing down on me.
“Look,” I say, my voice trembling slightly, “I'm responsible. I always take care of things.”
He throws his hands up in exasperation. “Responsible? Emma, you could be putting your health at risk, not to mention mine! And what about a child? Are you seriously telling me you'd be okay with an accidental pregnancy?”
Tears prick my eyes, blurring my vision. “Of course not!” I cry. “But it's not like we planned on this, Liam. It just…happened.”
“Exactly!” he exclaims, his voice rising slightly. “And that's why we need to be careful. We can't just throw caution to the wind. I’m not ready to have a child accidentally and ruin our lives.”
I blink in shock, his words hitting me like a slap. “Liam, I’m not like you. I don’t have sex for fun. And Ethan doesn’t seem like a problem to June and Damon, does he? You only say that because you lack the ability to love.”
I push him back and get to my feet. “You should leave, Liam. I can’t continue this.”
The accusation hangs heavy in the air. His expression softens, a flicker of regret crossing his features. “Emma, I…” he begins, reaching out a hand toward me.
I flinch back, my body recoiling from his touch. “Don't,” I choke out, my voice thick with emotion. “You know what, Liam? Maybe this was a mistake.”
Tension immediately replaces the playful atmosphere of just moments ago. This isn't how I'd envisioned the night ending. This isn't how I'd envisioned us.
“Emma, wait?—”
“Just go,” I say, my voice breaking. “Please.”
He stares at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. He hesitates for a moment, his eyes lingering on me. Then, without another word, he turns and walks out of the cottage, leaving me alone with the dying embers of the fire and the deafening silence of a broken connection.
Collapsing onto the sofa, I wrap my arms around myself, tears streaming down my face. The door closes behind him, and I bury my head in my hands, tears streaming down my face.
The night that started so beautifully has ended in heartbreak, and I’m left wondering how things went so wrong. I stare up at the sky, the stars blurry through my tears, and feel a deep, aching sadness settle in my chest. It all feels like a cruel joke now. We've gotten so close, only to be ripped apart by the harsh reality of the situation.
As the minutes tick by, the initial anger gives way to a crushing sense of loneliness. The cozy cottage, once a haven of warmth and comfort, now feels like a prison, a stark reminder of the connection I'd so desperately wanted, and so abruptly lost.
Picking up my glass of wine, I take a long, shaky sip. The acidic taste echoes the bitterness in my heart. Maybe this has all been a mistake. Maybe it is time to face the reality that sometimes, even the brightest sparks fizzle out, leaving behind nothing but ashes and regret.