Chapter Thirty-Three
We stepped out of the art gallery two hours later. The sun decided to stick around, warm on my face. The square in front of the art gallery was basking in the warm sunlight that peeked through the trees.
The tour with Olivia was incredible. We had the whole gallery to ourselves as we walked through each section, Olivia explaining the collection and some of her favourite pieces.
The art gallery was beautiful – all parquet floors and glass skylights.
They had a huge Lowry and Pre-Raphaelite collection.
Liam’s face split into a grin as we walked into a gallery full of women with flaming red hair.
He snapped a photo of me looking, my curly red hair matching the painting.
I watched him smile at his screen and set it as his lock screen.
‘That bloke would have loved you, Red,’ Liam whispered as Olivia ushered us into the next gallery.
‘Hey,’ I said, pulling Liam towards me on the steps of the gallery. ‘Thank you. I loved it. I can’t wait to go back. There was so much I didn’t see, even in two hours.’
Olivia had mentioned a huge textile collection, and I was itching for some design inspiration. If I did enrol in that interior design course, I wanted to do my dissertation on those fabrics.
‘It was worth it. To see you like that.’ Liam smiled. ‘You looked so happy.’
I grinned. ‘What’s next, tour guide?’
Liam grabbed my hand and led me across the square, which had trams running through it.
‘Well, you said you liked London for the art galleries,’ Liam mimicked, ticking a list. ‘Next, food.’
My stomach rumbled at the mention, and Liam threw me a grin. We walked past a huge dome building.
‘That’s the library, and behind it is the Town Hall. That’s where we have the lights turned on at Christmas. It’s packed, and we usually get a major A-list celebrity to turn them on.’
I raised an eyebrow. ‘Big Brother contestant from 2005?’
Liam barked a laugh, then gave me a serious look. ‘That’s their career highlight, Red. It’s Abi’s favourite day. That and Pride in August. It takes over the whole city. It’s a lot of fun.’
‘Oh my god. Do you dress up?’
Liam shrugged. ‘Abigail might get the glitter out, yeah.’
I laughed, imagining Liam sitting at the kitchen table, Abigail covering Liam’s face in glitter.
‘I’d love to see that.’
‘Maybe you will.’
Our eyes met, and I could see the hope glimmering in his – the hope that I’d be here long enough for milestones written in Sharpie onto a shared calendar.
We passed a grand hotel called The Midland, and Liam nodded. ‘That’s where Posh and Becks had their first date.’
My mouth fell open. ‘Oh my god. Royalty.’
Liam laughed. ‘Yep.’
We stopped in front of The Vine he glanced over to the bar.
‘Yes.’ Ren said.
‘She’ll have a pint.’
Ren’s eyebrows scrunched together. ‘Are you sure—’
‘Are you sure, Red?’ Liam glanced at me.
I grimaced. ‘Yeah. I mean, I’m not really a huge fan of cocktails. Willa used to order me her favourite – French 75 – when we went to the bar by our office.’
Ren grinned. ‘A Guinness with a side of French 75. Genius.’
Before I could protest, Ren had dipped behind the bar, pulling down the Guinness tap.
‘Were you telling the truth’ – Liam’s voice was thick – ‘or were you just trying to get him off our backs?’
My eyes met his and softened. Why was I putting him through this? He was holding so much of himself back, holding half of his heart back. I could see it in his eyes.
‘I’m staying, Liam.’ My eyes stung.
Liam exhaled hard. ‘You’re not pulling my leg?’
I laughed. ‘No.’
Liam launched out of his seat, grasped my neck and pressed his lips against mine. He poured everything into that kiss – relief, happiness and hope. Vaguely, I could hear Ren, Frank, and the kitchen staff whooping and hollering behind us.
Liam pulled back and pressed his forehead against mine.
‘I would have followed you anywhere if I could. But I can’t.
So this is my chance to ask you properly.
Stay. But stay because you love it here.
Stay because you want to. But most importantly, stay because I love you.
’ I took a sharp intake of breath. ‘You don’t have to say it back. Just tell me you’re staying again.’
‘I’m staying, Liam.’