14. Emma
14
EMMA
I park my car on the curb, glancing at my watch for the hundredth time. It’s 10:03, and Liam is late. The frustration bubbling inside me is becoming unbearable. Tapping my foot impatiently, I scan the street for Liam. It’s two minutes past ten.
“Seriously?” I mutter to myself, pulling out my phone for the umpteenth time. Should I call him?
My frustration simmers, a low burn fueled by a potent cocktail of nerves and excitement. This whole “fake relationship” charade with Liam is messing with my head. Here I am, a fiercely independent woman, waiting around like a lovesick teenager for a date who can't tell time.
Why am I even so anxious to see him? It’s not like there’s a possibility of anything extraordinary happening between us—we’re just having a casual fling, and we’ll both end things sooner or later. But even that thought doesn’t lessen the excitement of seeing him. I thought about him all day yesterday and had woken up very early to get ready for him this morning.
I even have my face made up, and I’m in my favorite jean that I know show off my hips and ass. Would he cancel on me? Every minute that ticks by makes my heart pound faster.
I get out of the car and start pacing around the sidewalk, trying to shake off the nerves. The early morning sun is warm, but it doesn’t do much to calm me down. My thoughts are a mess, tangled up with excitement and annoyance. Just as I’m about to recheck my watch, I see Liam’s tall frame approaching. Finally.
He jogs up and waves at me, a casual smile on his face. “Sorry I’m late,” he pips softly, but I can’t hear the sincerity in his voice.
“You’re four minutes late,” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest. “We agreed on 10:00 sharp.”
He raises an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by my tone. “It’s just a few minutes, Emma. You’re overreacting.”
I glare at him, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. “I’m not overreacting. You’re always trying to make it seem like everything’s my fault. You’re the one who’s late.”
Liam sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I got caught up with something.”
“You clearly don’t live in a world with basic respect for other people's time,” I shoot back, unable to resist a dig.
“Ouch,” he grumbles, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Look, I'm just five minutes late, tops. Can you not be such a snobbish Ms. Timekeeper? It’s not a big deal.”
“It is to me,” I retort, my voice sharper than I intend. “I have a lot riding on today, and I need things to go smoothly.”
He steps closer, his eyes softening as he looks at me. “Emma, calm down. We’re here now. Let’s just get on with it.”
I open my mouth to argue more, but before I can, he grabs my arm and pulls me toward him. His lips crash against mine, and for a moment, I’m too stunned to react. The kiss is intense, filled with all the pent-up frustration and longing we’ve been holding back.
He circles an arm around my waist as his tongue delves into my mouth. This is what I need. Every protest, every nerve, and my dissatisfaction with him being late melts away as Liam takes control, kissing away all these raging emotions.
He’s so damn good at this.
I feel his other hand gently graze my breast, his thumb sliding over my sensitive nipple, and I gasp into his mouth. His hands rove over my belly and my navel, every touch sending bursts of anticipation through my body as he travels down there… I am already needy and raw and ready for him. I can feel my resolve melting, my body responding to his touch.
I hear a car whip past us, and suddenly, I remember where we are. I push him away, glancing around to see if anyone noticed.
“We’re in public,” I hiss, trying to catch my breath.
Liam grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “When we kiss or touch, it’s like only you exist in my world.”
His words send a thrill through me, but I don’t let it show. I hide my happiness behind a mask of sternness and point to the car. “Get in. We have a lot to do.”
As we drive around town, the kiss lingers on my mind like a melody I can’t shake. Liam sits beside me, focused on the road, but I keep stealing glances at him, replaying that moment in my head. My lips still tingle from the intensity of it, and my heart races every time our eyes meet, even briefly.
His hand occasionally brushes against mine on the gear. I try to stay focused on the road, but it’s hard when he’s so close, his presence filling the car with a heady mix of excitement and warmth.
“Sorry about earlier,” he murmurs after a while. “I didn’t mean to make you upset.”
I glance at him, surprised by his sudden apology. “It’s fine. The kiss did make up for it.”
He nods, his expression amused. “Now I’m thinking of getting on your nerves a bit more.”
“Don’t you dare.” I laugh, and he joins in.
We lapse into a comfortable silence, the earlier argument forgotten. By the time we reach the first venue, I feel more at ease, ready to tackle the day ahead.
“So, what’s the first place on our list?” Liam raises a brow as he breaks the silence.
I clear my throat, trying to focus. “There’s this park on the outskirts of town. It has a beautiful garden and a gazebo that could be perfect for the ceremony.”
Liam nods, his eyes flicking over to me. “Sounds nice. Let’s check it out.”
As we drive through the winding roads, I point out various places from my childhood. “Over there is where my friends and I used to hang out after school,” I gesture toward a small, nondescript park. “And that old diner? It has the best milkshakes.”
Liam smiles, glancing at the diner as we pass. “Maybe we should stop by later for a taste test.”
I laugh, feeling some of the tension ease. “Maybe we should.”
We arrive at the park, and I guide Liam through the entrance. The garden is in full bloom, with vibrant flowers and lush greenery. The gazebo stands in the center, white and elegant, surrounded by rows of blooming roses.
“What do you think?” I ask, looking at Liam.
He walks around, taking in the surroundings. “It’s beautiful. I can see June and Damon here.”
I smile, relieved. “Me too. Let’s take some pictures for them.”
After snapping a few shots, we head back to the car and drive to the next location. I talk about the memories associated with each place, filling the car with stories and laughter. It feels good, sharing these moments with Liam. It feels right.
As we drive to our next destination, my stomach growls, reminding me that I haven’t eaten since early morning. “I’m starving,” I admit, glancing at Liam. “Can we stop somewhere for a bite?”
“Sure,” he mumbles, circling around and scanning the area. “How about that bagel shop over there?”
I follow his gaze to a small shop with a sign that reads ‘Solomon’s Corner.’ “Perfect.”
We pull up to the shop, and the smell of freshly baked bagels greets us as we walk in. An elderly man stands behind the counter, his face lighting up when he sees us.
“Well, if it isn’t Emma,” he exclaims, his eyes twinkling. “I’m so happy to see you.”
I rack my brain for his name, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Hi, uh?—”
“Solomon,” he supplies with a huge chuckle. “The father of Jay Solomon. Remember him?”
Recognition dawns, and I smile politely. “Oh, yes. We shared a seat in science class. How is Jay?”
Mr. Solomon’s grin widens. “He’s doing great, thanks for asking. You know, he used to talk about you all the time. Such a smart girl you were, always helping him with his homework. I always thought you two were dating.”
My eyes widen in surprise, and I open my mouth to correct him, but before I find my voice, Liam steps forward, his voice cold. “We’re in a bit of a hurry. Can we get our bagels and coffee to go, please?”
Mr. Solomon’s eyes flicker between us, noting Liam’s tone. “Of course, of course. Just a moment.” He hurries off to prepare our order.
I turn to Liam, noticing the frown etched on his face. “Are you jealous?” I ask, a teasing lilt in my voice.
He shoots me a look, his expression hard. “I don’t get jealous.”
I bite back a smile, watching as he strides over to the counter to grab our order. It’s amusing to see him so ruffled. As he walks back, balancing the bagels and coffee, I can’t help but chuckle.
“Thanks, Mr. Solomon,” I nod a few times, waving to the old man as we head out.
“Anytime, Emma! Come back soon,” he calls after us.
We reach the car, and Liam hands me my coffee before getting in. I take a sip, savoring the warmth. “You know, it’s nice to see you unnerved like this.” I can’t resist teasing him a bit more.
Liam grumbles something under his breath, and his jaw twitches. “Let’s just get on with the day.”
Guess that’s a touchy one. I say nothing else as we continue our search for the perfect venue, the atmosphere between us lightens. We visit a charming vineyard with rolling hills and a picturesque barn, a rustic lodge by the lake with stunning views, and a quaint chapel surrounded by ancient oaks. Each place has its own unique charm, and we take our time exploring and imagining the possibilities.
At the vineyard, I can’t help but twirl around in the open field, the sun warming my skin. “Can you picture it? June in a flowing dress, the guests seated here, the ceremony happening right there by the vines?”
Liam watches me, his eyes softening. “Yeah, I can. It’s perfect.”
I try to imagine the groom walking up to the bride right here, and instead of Damon’s face, it’s Liam in a black tuxedo and a bright smile that I picture instead. I immediately step back.
“Is anything wrong, Emma?”
Yeah. You’re seeping too deep into my mind, Liam Miller. I just smile and shake my head.
“Let’s take pictures and go to the next place.”
We take more pictures and make notes, then head to the lake lodge. The water glistens in the midday sun, and I imagine the peaceful sound of waves as a backdrop for the vows. “This place is serene. It has a calming energy.” I spread my hands, breathing in the fresh air.
Liam nods, snapping a few photos. “It’s definitely a contender.”
Finally, we visit the chapel. It’s small but filled with character, its wooden beams and stained-glass windows giving it a timeless feel. “It’s like stepping back in time,” I whisper, running my fingers over the weathered pews.
Liam stands beside me, taking it all in. “June and Damon would love this.”
As we leave the chapel, I feel a sense of accomplishment. We’ve found several great options, and I’m excited to share them with June. We drive back toward town, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the road.
“I think we did good today.” I smile as I glance at Liam.
He smiles, his eyes crinkling in the corners. But for some reason I feel like his eyes remain passive. Is there something going on in his mind?
“Yeah, we did. Thanks for dragging me along.”
I laugh, feeling a warm glow of satisfaction. “Anytime, Liam.”
We pull up to my house. It slowly dawns on me that we have to part ways soon, and I turn to him, a sudden pang of reluctance hitting me. “Do you want to come in for a bit? We still have some planning to do.”
Liam hesitates, then nods. “Sure. Just for a bit, though.”
My heart races as I climb out of the car. There’s a look in his eyes that I don’t understand.