CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
BIANCA
I groan loudly at the knocking, deciding whether to ignore or answer it.
Letting sleep be more important, I roll over, snuggling with my pillow.
The knocking seems to continue and I huff annoyance.
I rub my eyes as I hear another sound in my room: the bathroom door opening.
My eyes open a bit before I let out a small scream when I see him, scooting backward, landing on the floor with an oomph.
“Bianca! What’s wrong, honey?” My eyes home in on the locked door, and I think quickly about what to say.
“Sorry, Mom, just a spider.” The words slip out as casually as possible, staring at the six-foot spider in my room, who is currently half naked, an amused look on his stupidly handsome face.
“Okay. I wanted to let you know Josh bought breakfast.”
He whispers, “Are you okay, Freckles?” Sparks run through my body as he moves to lift me up, and I gasp at them.
Nodding, I breathe a sigh of relief as Mom’s footsteps get farther away.
I stay frozen as everything hits me all at once.
His face is still the picture of concern as I look at him, bewildered.
I trace the tattoo on his chest and he shivers a bit.
“I’m fine. I was startled.” I drag a finger along the letter B as he looks at me with adoration in his eyes. “I keep feeling this is fake,” I murmur, looking up at him, and red stains the tops of his ears. His hand reaches for the back of his neck in embarrassment.
“Well . . .” he starts as he places his hand over mine, “it isn’t.
” He looks at me, certain yet shy, and I have no idea how to process my feelings, so I push his shoulder.
“Good morning to you too.” I smile, but then see his state, and I look down.
A sexy, deep chuckle erupts from him, his hand curling around my chin, raising my head so that his eyes meet mine.
“Don’t tell me you’ve gone shy on me, Freckles. ”
His fresh, minty breath fans my face, and I curse out as mine is probably the complete opposite. I gulp, but he flashes his pearly whites at me, and my stomach does thousands of somersaults. “Well, I—” He rubs his thumb over my cheekbone, effectively shutting me up.
“Freckles?” He cups my face, bringing ours together, but stops just shy of my lips brushing his.
“Do I have permission to kiss you again?” Embarrassment courses through me, and he must see something because he backs away instantly, not wanting to crowd me.
“Got it. Don’t worry, I know that because we kissed yesterday doesn’t mean I have infinite permission. ”
My eyebrows dip before reaching out to him. “Liam, it’s not because of that.” I point to my mouth and he looks confused, but then realizes what I mean and rolls his eyes.
“That’s normal, Freckles. And I couldn’t care less, but if it bothers you .
. .” He scoops me up and I gasp. He takes me to the bathroom and I can barely focus as he hands over my toothbrush with toothpaste slathered on.
He leans against the doorway with his arms crossed in a sexy little stance, and waits like the gentleman he is before he comes over, his finger twirling a strand of my hair.
My heart is filled with so much love in this moment.
I rinse my mouth and reach around his neck to bring him down to kiss me.
A satisfied sound leaves him and my heart warms at that.
Our lips meet and my body becomes light at the feelings running through me.
We don’t talk much about what this is, but if he kisses me like this every time, I’m willing to do anything to keep him.
After a bit, we realize that it’s definitely time for him to go back home. Though, before he leaves, he gives me yet another one of those dizzying kisses, and I slide the back door closed. Feeling comfy in my pajamas, I walk into the hallway to start my day like always.
“I know, Liv. You’ll be back soon, though.”
I stop at the words, turning around the corner to see Olivia with suitcases next to her, and I can’t stop the smile that comes on my face.
“Hon, I’m glad you’re here. We’re about to leave to drop Olivia off, if you were wanting to . . .”
I force my lips into a frown, but it’s no use.
“I’m okay, don’t let me stop you. Olivia, have a nice flight.
” She smiles at me, and I send a fake one back for Mom’s sake.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes, and as much as I want to forgive Mom for how she’s been acting, she takes us right back to square one.
They all head out like the picture-perfect family, and as soon as the door closes, my shoulders lower.
I mean, how do you cope with the idea that your mom, your best friend in the entire world, is marrying an idiotic jerk who loathes you, and won’t stop until she one day loathes you as well?
What then? She’s all I have, and while I don’t want to compromise her happiness, I can’t help this feeling I have about him and his daughter. I used to consider my home a haven, but when Mom becomes Mrs. Callaway, this house will no longer be my home.
Then what?
Losing my appetite, I put down all notions of wanting to eat, and instead grab my phone to check the time.
As the phone lights up, I gasp, seeing my background changed.
It’s a montage of all the photos Liam and I have taken.
Our second more fun trip to McDonald’s, when we hung out at the park together, and one where he’s kissing my forehead as I cuddled with him last night.
I click on the screen and it changes to every single one individually. I smile.
Even when he isn’t here, he always knows how to cheer me up. As I continue tapping, the photo transitions to a screenshot of a note from my Notes app.
I’ve always wanted to do this for you, and I hope that you like it. I don’t think you’ll ever know how much happiness you bring me, Freckles. Now every time you’re feeling sad, you can see this, and maybe grace the world with your beautiful smile.
Never ever be sad, gorgeous.
P.S. I’m sorry for using your phone without your permission. I hope you still love me, though. <3
Tears threaten to come out of my eyes, but I smile through them.
Liam Jax Parker, I have never and will never stop loving you.
It was a shorter shift at the shelter today, but I still feel exhausted.
I was able to shadow our head vet, Penelope, and they weren’t kidding when others said she takes her job very seriously.
Liam didn’t volunteer today, but we did talk over my break.
He was playfully upset that I didn’t tell him I was volunteering today.
Now, I’m back home, scrolling through movies.
The doorbell rings and I’m too tired to move from the couch to open it for Mom .
I’m waiting for the familiar sound of her keys, but hear nothing.
Confused, I go to the door and open it. My jaw drops when I see the tall shadow of my man leaning on the doorway with grocery bags in hand.
Liam smiles when he sees me and sets down his things, engulfing me in a hug. I sigh, hugging him back. “You’re here,” I murmur, then pull away as he looks at me weirdly.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He reaches down, grabbing the bags with one hand and my hand with the other. I smile sheepishly, shrugging, trying to play it cool.
“I don’t know. I thought . . .” Liam looks at me knowingly as we enter the kitchen and sets the grocery bags on the counter. My favorite chips peek out.
“You must know by now that the only place I love to be is where you are.” I smile as he kisses my forehead softly. “Josh is gonna have to do a hell of a lot more to keep me from you, love.” He pulls me in, my grin growing wider.
“What about your ca—”
He interrupts, “Parked it at the little park.” I nod and he smiles. “I missed you,” he says as if we haven’t seen each other in forever.
I grin and hug him once more, whispering a small, “I missed you too.”
He then pulls back and our faces are close together, but I see hesitation in his expression. “Bianca, can—”
I don’t let him finish. I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his, and after a moment, he reciprocates, pulling me in closer by my waist. Our mouths move with ease as if they know they’re right where they belong. There are no awkward pauses, but a smooth and continuous rhythm.
I pull back, his lips slightly pink, color flushing my cheeks, a small smile coming onto his face.
“You are gorgeous, Bianca Harrison.” Not knowing what to say, I kiss his nose. He sneaks a chaste kiss once again. “Where’s Ms. Kate?”
“With Josh, dropping Olivia at the airport,” I respond, and he sighs almost in relief. I stifle a giggle. He starts taking out my favorite snacks and I look at him in surprise as he has that cute little smirk on his face.
“How about a chill Friday with a movie? Maybe our all-time favorite?” His eyebrows raise and I look at him, confused, but then understanding comes over me.
“Cinderella?”
He nods at that, and I smile at how, after all this time, he remembers my favorite movie.
“Yep. Years later, and I still hate the guy,” he confesses, and I slap his shoulder, giggling.
It’s been about an hour or so, and we’re in my room on my bed.
He’s lying behind me as I lean against his chest, his heart beating softly under me.
And like before, this is the time where Liam grumbles the most, while I’m fantasizing about Prince Charming.
Just like old times.
As Cinderella and Prince Charming sway to the music, he chuckles, sneaking a hand into the popcorn. “You’re such a hater,” I say, looking up as he looks down at me. He sticks his tongue out, making me return the gesture.