Chapter Sixteen – Liam
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Liam
Mallory and I headed back to Chicago early the next day and checked into The Drake.
I loved seeing her eyes light up at the beautiful historical hotel.
We drove around, then did some touristy things, including a river cruise, went up to the Skydeck, did the hop-on hop-off bus tour, and were currently sitting on the steps of the famous Chicago Bean. Nothing had sparked her memory.
“Josh has a flight plan for tomorrow, and we have approval to leave at ten in the morning,” I said, popping some more of the Garrett popcorn we’d bought earlier into my mouth.
She let out a deep breath and rested her head on my shoulder. “I’m sorry we didn’t learn anything new.”
“We did learn some new things.”
“I suppose so. You know, you really should call your friend who lives here. If that was me, I would be hurt knowing you were here and didn’t call to at least say hello.”
I laughed. “You think so?”
She looked at me and smiled, and my heart tumbled around in my chest.
“Okay, I’ll give her a call.”
I stood and put a few steps between us as I pulled out my phone and dialed Georgia’s number. It only rang twice before she answered. “Hello?” The sounds of kids yelling in the background made me laugh.
“I see your kids take after their mother.”
“Liam? Is it really you?”
Smiling, I said, “It’s really me. I’m in Chicago, but only for this evening.”
“Shut up! Do you have plans for tonight? It’s date night for us, and I’d love to see you!”
“No real plans, but I’m with someone.”
“Oh really? Do tell.”
“It’s a long story.”
Huffing, she asked, “Tell me one thing, have you kissed her?”
“Yes. More than once, and I hope things keep progressing. But we’re taking it slow. There are a lot of complications.”
She laughed. “That’s all I need to know. Listen, I’m trying to feed the kids. Where are you staying? The Drake?”
I glanced back at Mallory. “Am I that predictable?”
She laughed. “Yes, you are. Would you like to meet up for drinks at the hotel?”
“That sounds great. What time works for you guys?”
Georgia muffled her voice briefly. “I’m sorry. I had to tell the kids to stop throwing food at each other. How does eight sound?”
“Perfect,” I replied. “See you at Coq d’Or at eight.”
I hung up and turned to see Mallory talking to two little kids. She laughed, and a strange sensation filled my chest. I lifted my hand and rubbed around the vicinity of my heart as I watched her interact with the children.
“Oh man,” I whispered, realizing I was falling hard for Mallory.
Making my way back to the steps, I smiled at the kids and Mallory as I sat down. “What’s going on?”
“Just making new friends,” she said as she winked at the two littles.
I laughed. “One can never have too many friends, that’s for sure.”
“This is Peter, my brother, and I’m June. That’s our mom right there.”
Following the direction of where June was pointing, I saw her mother sitting not far from us. She smiled warmly at me.
“It’s very nice to meet you, June and Peter.”
“Are you tourists? Mom said they’re everywhere down here.”
“June!” the mother protested as Mallory and I both laughed. “That isn’t very nice. And don’t repeat what I say!”
Mallory leaned forward to see the other woman. “Your kids are very charming.”
The mother rolled her eyes but grinned. “That’s one word to describe them.” She stood. “Come on, kids, let’s get going.”
June and Peter said their goodbyes and followed their mother dutifully.
“I wonder if I wanted kids?” Mallory said, breaking the silence between us.
“Do you want them now?”
She nodded. “Well, not right this second, but yes, I would love kids. What about you?”
Nodding, I replied, “I love kids and would like to have them someday.”
Suddenly, Mallory asked, “Do you think I was a recluse?”
I laughed. “Hardly. Just because you kept to yourself doesn’t mean you’re a recluse. Besides, your old boss said you went out with the other employees, so I highly doubt it.”
“That’s true. What did your friend say?”
“Georgia and Sheila are going to meet us at the hotel bar. We might want to do a bit of shopping for you.”
“Why?” she asked.
“You could wear jeans and a shirt at the bar, but I’m pretty sure they have a business casual dress code.”
Mallory looked down at her clothes. “Oh. I hate you having to spend all your money on me. I wish I could at least remember what bank I used.”
I chuckled and stood, reaching my hand down for her to take. She did, and we stood facing one another. “I know you don’t need to be rescued, Mallory, but I really like rescuing you. A lot.”
She lifted her hand and placed it on my chest. “I don’t know,” she said with a sparkle in her eyes. “I kind of like you rescuing me.”
I raised a brow. “Really?”
Chewing on her lower lip, she nodded.
“You need to stop looking at me like you’re undressing me with your eyes.” When she blinked rapidly and gave me an innocent look, I drew her to me and kissed her quickly, but thoroughly. “Let’s go dress shopping,” I said, laughing at my own words.
Mallory asked, “What’s so funny?”
“I just never thought I’d hear myself say those words.”
Mallory joined in on the laughter as we made our way back to the bus stop to catch the tour bus.
When we reached the hotel, the concierge recommended a women’s boutique just a couple of blocks away.
Mallory told the saleslady what she was looking for, and twenty minutes later, she came out of the store holding two bags.
I’d left her with my credit card while I made a few business calls outside.
I was stilling thinking about Chad’s phone call from yesterday. After two years of silence from him and he wants to talk to me about the baby he and Krista were having. Or rather, ask me something. I highly doubted it was to be the child’s godfather.
Shaking thoughts of my brother away, I pulled up an email from Larson.
Spirit, one of our mares, looked like she was about to foal early.
I prayed she held off until I got back to the ranch.
There was nothing more beautiful than watching a new life come into the world.
Plus, I was positive Mallory would love to see it as well.
“That was quick,” I said, standing as Mallory approached me.
“The saleslady really knows what she’s doing. I told her nothing too fancy, but something that would fit in with where we’re going. I had to get shoes as well. I swear I’ll pay you back, although that’s a pretty pricey store, so it might take me a while.”
I kissed her on the forehead. “You’re not paying me back, so stop thinking about it.”
Back to the hotel, I took a shower first and then changed into dress slacks and a button-down shirt. I was glad I’d brought them, something I only did out of habit.
Mallory walked out of the bathroom, and I forgot how to speak or breathe.
She wore an off-the-shoulder black dress that hugged her curves in all the right ways.
It was shorter in the front and fell mid-thigh, while the back of the dress hit just behind her knees.
Mallory’s hair was swept up on the sides.
The back was left down, showcasing her curls.
“Wow,” I said, letting my eyes take in every bit of her.
“Do you like it? The saleslady said every woman needs a little black dress.”
I tried to say more than one word, but I’d apparently lost the ability to do so. “Wow.”
Mallory giggled. “Is it too much?”
“No, it’s perfect. You’re perfect. You look beautiful, Mallory.”
Her cheeks turned a soft shade of pink, and she looked down at the floor. “I feel beautiful,” she said.
Making my way to her, I placed my finger under her chin and tilted her head so I could look into her eyes. “I’ve never met a woman as beautiful as you are.”
Her mouth opened, then shut just as quickly. She swallowed hard and whispered, “Thank you.”
“We should probably get going, Georgia texted to let me know she and Sheila are already at the bar.”
The entire time we rode down the elevator, I had to keep myself from pulling her to me and kissing her. I wanted to bury my fingers in her hair and see if it was as soft as it looked.
Another couple rode down in the elevator with us, and when the woman smiled at Mallory, she returned the gesture.
“What brings you to town?” she asked us.
“Research,” Mallory stated, as she looked at me and winked. My heart felt like it tripped over itself.
Once the doors opened, I took her hand in mine, and we made our way through the hotel lobby and into the bar.
What happened next was something neither of us could have ever predicted.