Chapter Thirty-Two
Evie
A knock at the door sent my heart into a frenzy. I glanced at the mirror in the hallway, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. It had been a long day, but I couldn’t deny the flutter of excitement coursing through me. The sight that greeted me nearly stole my breath when I opened the door.
Liam was standing on the porch, holding a bag of food in one hand and a bouquet of sunflowers in the other. His grin was wide, warm, and just a little bit cocky, and I couldn’t help but smile back. He somehow looked both rugged and adorable, a combination that had me biting the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning like an idiot.
“Thought I’d bring a little sunshine with dinner,” he said, holding out the flowers. “And Happy Valentine’s Day.”
How did I forget it was Valentine’s Day?
Hayden barreled past me before I could reply.
“Liam!” he shouted, throwing his arms around Liam’s waist in a quick hug before darting back inside toward the couch.
Liam laughed, his eyes lighting up. “Well, that was fast.”
I chuckled, stepping aside to let him in. “That’s Hayden for you. It’s all about speed and chaos.”
He walked in, the scent of whatever he’d brought wafting past me, and I couldn’t help but notice how the space seemed smaller with him in it. Not in a bad way—more like he filled it with something just right.
Valentine’s Day.
I looked up at him and smiled. “You knew if you brought up Valentine’s Day, I’d say no.”
“Just a hunch. And it worked.”
“Well, thank you…” My voice trailed off. “It means more than you know.”
He swept a kiss on my cheek and smiled.
As I closed the door behind him, movement caught my attention from the corner of my eye. The same car from earlier was creeping down the street again, its engine barely audible as it rolled past the house.
My stomach tightened.
I froze for a moment with my hand still on the doorknob.
Liam noticed immediately. His brow furrowed as he turned to follow my gaze. “What is it?”
“That car,” I said quietly, nodding toward the street. “It’s been by here before. Slowed down earlier, too.”
He stepped closer to the window, his jaw tightening as he looked out. The navy sedan passed the house, the driver obscured by the reflection of the streetlights this time.
Then, just like before, it sped up and disappeared down the road.
“That’s the second time today?” Liam asked, his voice low.
I nodded, suddenly feeling the weight of the moment. “Yeah. Earlier, it did the same thing. Slowed down, like they were watching.”
Liam’s expression darkened, a mix of concern and protectiveness flashing across his face. “Do you recognize it? The car or the driver?”
“No,” I admitted, crossing my arms. “It’s not familiar, but something about it feels... off. I couldn’t see inside either time.”
Liam placed the bag of food on the counter and set the flowers down, his focus entirely on me now. “Do you want me to stick around for a bit after dinner? Maybe see if they come back?”
I hesitated.
On one hand, the thought of him staying made me feel safer. On the other, I didn’t want to make a big deal out of something that might be nothing.
“Let’s just keep an eye out,” I said, forcing a small smile. “I don’t want to overreact.”
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. But if it happens again when I’m not here, you call me. No hesitation, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed, grateful for his steadiness.
Hayden’s voice called out from the living room. “Are we eating or what?”
Liam’s face softened, the tension easing just enough for his smile to return. “Guess that’s my cue.”
Liam opened the bag to reveal roasted chicken and garlic mashed potatoes
“Smells divine,” I said, rubbing his shoulder. “You didn’t have to go all out.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Have you met me? I don’t do halfway.”
I laughed, grabbing plates from the cabinet. “True.”
Hayden set the table without asking, and my heart filled with joy.
He was such a good kid.
The car still lingered in the back of my mind, but I grabbed a vase and filled it with water for the flowers, which was a nice distraction.
“Sunflowers were a nice touch,” I said, nodding toward the bouquet on the counter. “Did you know they’re my favorite?”
“Lucky guess,” he said, leaning against the counter. “Or maybe I’ve been paying attention.”
“Well, they’re beautiful. Thank you.”
“Anything to see you smile.”
“Guys,” Hayden groaned, and we chuckled.
As we sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily. Liam had a knack for making Hayden laugh, and watching them interact was like seeing a piece of something I hadn’t realized was missing.
Still, I occasionally glanced toward the window, half expecting to see the car again. But it didn’t reappear, and for now, I let myself enjoy the joy of the moment, the sound of laughter filling the room, and the way Liam’s presence seemed to make everything feel right.
Hayden was already halfway through his chicken leg, his cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk.
“Liam, did you really bring all this food?”
Liam laughed. “Your mom caught the zebra again today. Did she tell you that?”
Hayden shook his head. “She didn’t tell me she caught her. Just that she went missing.”
“Your mom is pretty cool.”
“Yeah, she is.”
“You two are making me blush,” I said, laughing.
Hayden nodded enthusiastically, then turned to Liam with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Do you know what Mom eats when I’m at school?”
Liam’s eyes widened as he glanced at me. “Do tell.”
“Peanut butter straight from the jar,” Hayden declared, giggling.
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. “Traitor.”
Liam laughed so hard he nearly tipped his chair back. “Is that true, Evie? Are you secretly living off peanut butter and air?”
“I’m efficient!” I protested, my face warming. “Why dirty a plate when you can just grab a spoon and go?”
“Efficient. That’s one way to put it,” he teased, grinning. “You’re a mystery, Evie. Classy on the outside, peanut butter gremlin on the inside.”
Hayden laughed so hard he snorted, and I couldn’t help but join in.
“Well, since we’re airing dirty laundry,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Liam, “what’s your guilty food habit?”
“Me?” He pointed to himself, feigning innocence. “I’m an open book.”
Hayden wasn’t buying it. “Come on, you have to eat something weird.”
Liam rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Okay, fine. When I’m by myself, I eat those little cocktail sausages straight out of the can.”
Hayden’s jaw dropped. “Ew! You don’t cook them?”
“Oh, sure, peanut butter by the spoon is sophisticated, but canned sausages are where you draw the line?” I teased.
“See? I’m not perfect.”
I couldn’t stop laughing.
Liam’s eyes twinkled as he looked at me. “Truce?”
“Truce,” I said, holding up my fork like a peace offering.
Hayden, not to be left out, added, “Truce. But only if I get another roll.”
Liam grabbed the breadbasket and handed it to Hayden with a flourish. “Your wish is my command, kid.”
“Hey, no spoiling him,” I warned, but my smile gave me away.
“He’s hard to resist,” Liam replied, grinning at Hayden.
My chest tightened as I watched them. I wanted this so badly. This little bubble of happiness felt fragile, yet I wanted to hold onto it with everything I had.
“You okay?” Liam asked softly, catching my gaze.
“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “This is nice.”
His expression softened, and for a second, the world's noise seemed to fall away. Then Hayden broke the spell.
“Liam, guess what?”
“What’s that?” Liam asked, leaning forward like he was about to hear the most important secret in the world.
“I can burp the alphabet,” Hayden announced proudly.
“Hayden!” I said, horrified and laughing at the same time.
Liam’s face lit up with mock seriousness. “This, I’ve got to see.”
“No, you don’t!” I said, shaking my head and trying to suppress my laughter. “Hayden, I swear, if you—”
Too late.
Hayden launched into a series of exaggerated burps, and Liam clapped like he’d just witnessed a Broadway performance.
“Bravo!” Liam said, holding up his hands. “You’re a true artist.”
“You’re encouraging him.”
Liam shrugged. “What can I say? The kid’s got talent.”
“Unbelievable talent.”
“You should see what else I can do,” Hayden boasted as I laughed, hugging him into me.
“Let’s save some for another time.”
“Ah, Mom.” He laughed and dashed out of the room.
As we cleared the table together, Liam kept sneaking glances at me, and I felt a blush creeping up my neck. He was so natural with Hayden, so easy to be around, and it scared me how much I wanted to hold onto this feeling.
“Thanks for letting me crash dinner tonight.”
“Crash? You brought all the food,” I pointed out.
“Details. Seriously, though. I had a great time.”
“Me too,” I admitted, and I meant it.
“Good. Because I was thinking... maybe we could do this at my place next time?”
“Next time?” I echoed, my stomach doing a little flip.
“Yeah,” he said, his grin softening into something more genuine. “Next time.”
I didn’t answer immediately, but the way he looked at me made it hard to say no. The thought of a next time, of more nights like this, sent a thrill through me that I couldn’t quite ignore.
Finally, I smiled and said, “We’ll see.”
Liam’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I’ll take it.”
As he leaned back against the counter, I realized that for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t just surviving. I was living. And Liam... well, Liam had a way of making everything feel like it was possible.