Chapter 26 #2
Me: A permanent position. The board approved it. I'm officially part of the team now.
Liam: FUCK YES! I'm so proud of you.
Then another message: Does this mean you're stuck with me forever?
Me: Looks like it. Think you can handle that?
Liam: I can handle anything if it means keeping you.
My heart squeezes.
Liam: We should celebrate. Dinner tonight.
Me: Your place? I can pick up takeout on the way.
Liam: No. I want to take you out. A real restaurant. Somewhere nice.
I stare at the message, my pulse quickening. We don’t do public.
Liam: It's time, Avery. Time to show the world who's made me change. Who I've changed for.
My breath catches in my throat.
Liam: Unless you're not ready? I won't push. But I want people to know. I want to take you to dinner and hold your hand and not hide anymore.
My hands are shaking as I type.
Me: Okay.
Liam: Yeah?
Me: Yeah. Let's do it.
Liam: I'll pick you up at seven. Wear something that makes you feel beautiful. Though let's be honest, you'd look beautiful in a garbage bag.
Me: Smooth.
Liam: I try. See you tonight.
I set my phone down and take a deep breath.
This is happening. We're going public. After months of hiding, we're going to walk into a restaurant together like a normal couple.
The thought terrifies me.
But it also fills me with something that feels suspiciously like hope.
By the time seven o'clock rolls around, I've changed outfits four times and given myself three separate pep talks.
I'm on FaceTime with Sadie, who's watching me have a minor breakdown from her studio in Chicago.
“I can't do this,” I say, staring at my reflection. “This was a terrible idea.”
“You absolutely can do this.” Sadie's voice is firm through the phone. “And it's a great idea. Doesn't every woman want a man who's proud to be seen with her?”
“But what if—”
“What if nothing. Liam wants to take you to dinner. In public. Like a normal couple. This is good, Avery.”
I fidget with the neckline of my dress. “We've been doing fine, keeping things quiet. Why rock the boat?”
“Because you're not meant to be a secret.” Sadie leans closer to her camera. “Stand up. Let me see the dress.”
I step back so she can see the full outfit. It’s a red dress, hitting just above my knee. It’s elegant but sexy.
“Holy shit, Avery.” Sadie's eyes widen. “You look incredible. Liam's going to lose his mind.”
“You think?”
“I know. Now stop panicking. Put on your lipstick, grab your clutch, and go be a woman who's proud of her relationship instead of hiding it.”
My buzzer sounds before I can respond.
“He's here,” I say, panic rising again.
“Then go. And Avery?” Sadie's smile is warm. “I'm proud of you. For taking the risk. For letting yourself be happy.”
“Thanks, Sadie.” My voice catches. “Love you.”
“Love you, too. Now go get your man.”
I end the call and take one last look in the mirror. I look good. Even if I don't feel it.
I grab my clutch and head downstairs, my heart pounding with every step.
Liam is waiting outside my building, leaning against the car in a dark suit that should be illegal. His hair is styled, his beard trimmed, and when he sees me, his whole face lights up.
“Wow.” He straightens, eyes traveling over me slowly. “You look…wow.”
I smile, butterflies erupting in my stomach. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
He closes the distance between us and kisses me, right there on the sidewalk where anyone could see. His hand cups my face, his thumb brushing my cheek, and for a moment I forget to be nervous.
“Hi,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Hi.”
“Ready?”
“As I'll ever be.”
He opens the car door for me, and I slide into the back seat. He follows, immediately taking my hand and lacing our fingers together.
“Where are we going?” I ask as Hudson pulls into traffic.
“Le Nardin.”
My eyes widen. It’s one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city.
“I figured if we're doing this, we're doing it right.”
Where we'll definitely be seen. “Are you sure about this?”
“I'm sure.” He lifts our joined hands and kisses my knuckles. “I'm tired of hiding you, Avery.”
“People are going to have opinions.”
“Let them. I don't care what they think anymore.” His eyes are intense, serious. “The only opinion that matters to me is yours.”
My throat tightens with emotion. “You're really okay with this? With everyone knowing?”
“I'm more than okay with it. I want it.” He squeezes my hand. “Don't you?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “I do.”
Before I'm ready, Hudson is pulling up to the curb where a small crowd of photographers is already gathered.
Of course, there are photographers.
“Oh God,” I breathe.
“Hey.” Liam turns to face me fully. “We don't have to do this. If you're not ready, we can go somewhere else. Somewhere private. I won't be mad.”
I look at this man who has changed so much over the past few months. Who makes me laugh and challenges me and loves me in a way I never expected.
And I realize that I don't want to hide anymore either. “No.” I straighten my spine. “Let's do this.”
His smile could light up the entire city.
Hudson opens the door, and camera flashes immediately explode. Liam steps out first, then reaches back to help me out of the car, his hand firm and reassuring in mine.
The questions start immediately.
“Nova, who's your date?”
“Liam, is this official?”
“What's her name?”
He ignores them, keeping his focus on me.
We walk toward the restaurant entrance together, his hand at the small of my back, and more flashes pop. My heart is racing so fast I can barely breathe.
“Don't look so terrified,” Liam whispers in my ear. “It's just dinner. With me. Same as any other night.”
“Except with a dozen cameras.”
“Minor detail.” He squeezes my hand.
The hostess greets us warmly and leads us into the restaurant. The interior is elegant. We're seated at a corner table, partially secluded but still visible. Liam orders a bottle of wine without looking at the menu.
And then we're alone, facing each other across pristine white linen, and the reality of what we just did starts to sink in.
“That was terrifying.”
“But you did it anyway.” His hand finds mine across the table. “That's my brave girl.”
I glance around the restaurant. “I’m not feeling very brave right now.”
“You're here, aren't you? With me? Despite everything that could go wrong?” His thumb strokes across my knuckles. “That's the definition of brave.”
The server returns with our wine, and Liam goes through the tasting ritual with easy confidence. When he approves and our glasses are poured, he raises his in a toast.
“To you,” he says. “For your permanent position. For taking risks. For being the most incredible woman I've ever met.”
“To us,” I counter. “For whatever comes next.”
“To us.”
We clink glasses, and I take a sip of wine. It's delicious.
Like this moment.
Like him.
“How do you feel?” Liam asks. “Now that it's done?”
“Terrified,” I admit. “But also relieved? Is that weird?”
“Not weird at all.” He sets down his glass. “I feel the same way. Like we can finally breathe.”
The waiter comes to take our order, and Liam lets me choose first before ordering for himself. Then we're alone again, and he's looking at me with such open affection that my chest aches.
“I love you,” he says suddenly. “I don't think I've said that yet. But I do. I love you, Avery Carter.”
My world stops.
“You don't have to say it back. I just wanted you to know. I wanted you to know why I wanted to go public.”
Tears prick my eyes. “You love me.”
“I really do.” His smile is soft and vulnerable. “I probably have for months now. It just took me this long to figure out what it was.”
“I love you too,” I whisper. “God, Liam, I love you so much it terrifies me.”
“Good.” He brings my hand to his lips. “Let's be terrified together.”
And somehow, sitting in this restaurant with cameras flashing outside and our secret about to become very public knowledge, I've never felt safer in my life.
Because I'm with him.
And he loves me.
And whatever happens tomorrow, we'll face it together.