Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Jenna
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help?”
“Nope, I’m almost done. Your company is all I need.” Liam flashed me a warm smile as he chopped some fresh herbs.
To be honest, I was more than happy to sit there and admire Liam as he competently put the finishing touches on dinner.
Working gracefully in his beautiful kitchen, awash in the golden glow of the sunset streaming through the window, he looked calm and capable.
So strong and sexy. I was so impressed with him. So turned on by him.
Seeing how sure and steady he was settled the nerves that had been driving me crazy since our morning run.
Even spending the day with Juliette and Nicky didn’t help.
All day long, I’d had this hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I was standing on the edge of a cliff.
I had no idea if I was more excited or freaked out, or was this just how it felt to have your first crush?
Somehow, all that had vanished the moment Liam had opened his front door.
His eager smile as he held my face and looked into my eyes before he slowly kissed me…
it’s like he knew exactly how I felt. Like he was assuring me with his gentle touch and the way he tucked me into his side, that he’d take care of me.
And, also maybe most importantly, it looked like he was as happy to see me as I was to see him.
His house was beautiful. It had an open living room with a huge couch that was beckoning me to curl up against his side and sink into its softness with him.
Everything about it was warm and cozy like that.
Exposed wood beams, a big fireplace and a mantle with candles.
Woods and browns and beiges and grays that all worked together to create a soft, natural look.
His bedroom was so…him. A sturdy wooden bed frame, a fluffy tan and navy blanket. Strong and soft. I felt my face flush looking at it. Liam had chuckled gently and led me back out to continue the tour.
The yard was huge. The deck gleamed, and Liam had been proud to tell me how he’d built it. Other than the deck, it was an open field of grass, and it was all fenced in with trees surrounding it for privacy. Thor would love to run around here.
I liked seeing Liam in his house. It was a real house, a home. I was proud of how far I’d come in the last few years and how quickly I’d made up for lost time, but being here made it obvious that Liam was on a whole different level, and it was one I wanted to meet him on.
We talked easily while he cooked, and as he pulled the tray out of the oven, I asked again, “Now can I help with anything?”
“Yes, can you please bring the pitcher of lemonade in the fridge to the table?”
Aww, lemonade. I wanted to roll my eyes that he’d only asked me to do the simplest task after he’d done all the work, but I was too touched that he chose to serve lemonade when clearly wine would be more fitting for the fancy meal.
Liam plated our meals of salmon, roasted potatoes, and sautéed broccoli, finished with a caramelized honey miso drizzle and a fresh herb garnish—his words, not mine—and carried them to the table.
“This looks incredible. Thank you for cooking dinner.”
“It’s my pleasure. I love having you here.”
“I love being here, too.”
I took my first bite of the salmon and nearly moaned. “Oh my God, Liam. It’s delicious.”
He looked so proud, I loved it.
“Tell me about being a librarian. Do you enjoy it? What do your days look like?”
“I love it. My days are a mix of leading group activities, checking books in and out or restocking shelves, keeping an eye on the children and engaging with them, whether they’re playing or need help with a book or a project, and a lot of planning.”
“What kind of things do you need to plan?”
“Usually it’s upcoming themes and activities, new books to stock, that kind of thing. Right now, we’re preparing the summer reading program and finalizing the plans for the sensory room.”
“Sounds interesting. I see why you’d love it. How did you decide to be a librarian?”
I froze, a forkful of potato halfway to my mouth. How honestly should I answer? I wanted him to know everything, to know me, but if he did, would he look at me differently? I chewed the potato slowly to buy myself a moment. “Mm, this is good.”
Liam put his hand on mine and waited until I met his eyes again. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
“I do. I want to tell you everything.” Just please don’t be disgusted by me or blame me or think I’m too messed up.
His expression softened and he squeezed my hand, holding on tight.
“There was a library near my house. It was the only place my parents let me walk by myself, so it was where I escaped to. I loved reading, so no one questioned why I’d spend hours there.
I love that now I can give kids a safe space to go to.
I try to have a variety of activities so every kid can enjoy spending time there. ”
“How old were you?”
My stomach clenched. “They started letting me go when I was nine.”
“Fuck, Firefly.” The words were a tortured growl.
“I’m okay.” I smiled at him.
He didn’t smile back. “I know you are.”
He thinks I’m okay. My insides felt warm and squishy, and maybe even the fortress walls I hid behind were softening just the tiniest bit too.
“Thank you.” It was simple, but I hoped he could hear how much I truly meant it.
“Finish eating,” he said gently. “When we’re done, we’ll pick out a board game to play.”
“You have a lot of board games?”
“Yep. I love games. I’d considered opening a coffee shop with board games, but then I joined the department and there was no time for that.”
“I love places like that, where you feel comfortable just hanging out.”
“Me too. Creating an environment to bring people together is my favorite part of the restaurant culture.”
“Your parents should add it to their ice cream shop. They can call it…Scoop and Score. Or Ice and Dice!”
“Jenna, you’re a genius. How about Frosty Fun?”
“Scoops and Ladders!”
“That’s amazing. Would you mind if we call my parents? They’re going to love this.”
“Sure.” Did this count as meeting his parents? How would he introduce me?
Liam moved his chair closer to mine and called them on a video call. It rang twice, and then his mom’s face was on the screen. She was beautiful with tan skin, long, dark, wavy hair and Liam’s warm, brown eyes.
“Hi, Mom. This is Jenna.”
Liam covered my hand with his, and his mom’s eyes followed the movement, a huge smile overtaking her face.
“Hi, Jenna! It’s so nice to meet you. Hold on a second.” She touched the screen, obviously muting it because we watched her silently yell, and then his dad appeared. He was handsome, like a slightly heavier, more distinguished, less rugged version of Liam.
“Hi, Dad. This is Jenna. Jenna, these are my parents, Patty and Mike.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Lamonti, it’s so nice to meet you.”
“Stop with that nonsense. It’s Patty and Mike. What did my son cook for you? How was it?” his dad asked.
I laughed. Patty was still beaming at us and Mike was eyeing my plate on the bottom of the screen. I started answering, “Salmon with—” but Patty nudged Mike’s shoulder.
“Mike, cut it out. They didn’t call to report on dinner.”
“It was delicious, though,” I said.
“We called because Jenna had a great idea, and I couldn’t wait to tell you.”
Patty clapped her hands together and leaned toward the screen.
“Ready for this?” Liam said. “You name your ice cream shop...Scoops and Ladders.”
“Like Chutes and Ladders?” Patty looked intrigued.
“Ice cream and board games.” Liam said.
“We could have checkerboard tables,” Mike boomed.
“With checker and chess pieces,” Patty added.
“And all different games to play.”
I gasped as another idea came to me. “There’s that outdoor game called Ladder. If you have space outside, you can do that too.”
“Yes!”
“We can have that beanbag game too.”
“Cornhole, absolutely.”
They yelled out ideas, piggybacking off each other in beautiful chaos.
“Can you make some of the tabletops a Chutes and Ladders board?” Liam asked.
“That’s trademarked, but we can make our own inspired by it,” Mike said.
“With an ice cream theme to the board!” I added.
“Yes!”
“Okay guys,” Liam interrupted. “We’re going to go now.”
“Wait, we barely got to talk to Jenna,” Patty started.
“We’ll call again soon.”
“But—”
“Mom. We’ll call again. We’ll even visit soon. But we’re hanging up now so we can continue our date without my parents.”
“Fine. Enjoy the rest of your evening. And—”
“Bye, Mom and Dad,” Liam said over her.
“Bye, Patty and Mike!” I rushed out before Liam clicked it off.
“I love them!” I gushed. I’d never seen a family so enthusiastic and in sync. They shouted out ideas and interrupted each other, but in a good way, feeding off each other, not speaking over one another. Their energy was amazing.
“They love you too.” Liam stood, offering a hand to help me up, and once I was on my feet, he gently pulled me into a hug. His arms encircled me, the front of his body grazing mine. My heart stuttered, waiting for the feel of his erection, bracing for the barrage of emotions it would unleash.
I have to get through this to move forward with him. I want to move forward with him. Therefore, I have to want this.
Liam kissed the top of my head and smoothed a hand over my hair, holding me close. I closed my eyes and froze, waiting for it.
For his body to react.
For my body to react to his.
He tensed, pushing me back to arm’s length, then he slowly leaned in to kiss my forehead and moved away again.
I hung my head, eyes still squeezed closed. I couldn’t face him. Didn’t want to see what was in his eyes.
“Look at me, Jenna,” he said softly.
I shook my head.
“Please, Firefly. I need you to look at me.”
I couldn’t refuse that. “I’m sorry.” My breath caught when I met his eyes. They were so full of concern and sympathy and guilt.