25
Liam
This has been one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time. After we lost Lace and Nick, the holidays always brought on an especially somber mood. But this year, I’m spending it with a fucking gorgeous woman who I am getting far too attached to. I’m addicted to her sexy laugh, the way her smile lights up the room, that long, dark, wild hair of hers, her strong, incredible body, and her ridiculous sense of humor. I can’t stop. I’m starting to get this horrible feeling that she may break my heart by the end of this though. I wonder if it’s a bad idea to let Jackson get attached, but it might be a little too late now. I’m already catching feelings, and I want to spend as much time with her as I can before she leaves, learn as much as I can about her. Maybe I can even convince her to come back. I’ve put Jackson’s needs before any of my own these last few years—and I have no regrets about that—but there’s something I finally want for myself now.
Layla and I are stretched out on my couch watching a romance movie , which was her choice, not mine. I don’t hate it. Just before the movie, we devoured the breakfast feast I made, and I swear I’ve never eaten so many sweets in my life in the span of just a few days. I love baking and cooking, but it’s usually only on special occasions that I bake desserts. I guess this is one of those times, though. I made cinnamon rolls this morning, and they were damn good. Almost as delicious as this girl.
Layla’s phone rings as the couple on the screen is having a big fight, and she looks at me, eyes questioning, like she’s asking if I mind that she answers it. I pause the movie and nod my head in encouragement. She sits up, adjusting herself and pulling a little bit farther away from me.
“Hey,” she says, answering the video call. I peek over and see a brunette girl on the screen.
“Biiitch,” her friend screeches back at her. I wince.
“Oh my gosh, how drunk are you right now?” Layla questions, laughing.
“Not.”
“Oh, okay. Right. Is that your mom’s living room in the background?” Layla chuckles.
“Yes. Now where’s Mr. Teenage Dream?” her friend asks.
Layla flushes and looks at me, shrugging her shoulders in apology. I laugh.
“He’s right here, Daniela. So put a little filter on, will you?” she chastises her friend with a laugh. She points the camera at me, and I wave.
“Hi, Daniela,” I say awkwardly, but laughing along with them.
“Oh my gosh, stop. He sure grew up, didn’t he? I guess he’s not Mr. Teenage Dream anymore.”
Layla palms her forehead.
“What?” Daniela asks.
“He can hear you, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah. Hey, did she tell you about the time we went to visit there and walked along the shore where you first met every day, hoping we’d run into you? I tried to make her go knock on your door, but she was a chicken. I tried, Liam. I really did.” Daniela shrugs.
I smile to myself, hearing that little tidbit. There was a time when I thought she didn’t want to find me, so hearing her best friend confirm that she was, in fact, looking for me too, makes me happy. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self who agonized over it some days.
“I appreciate the effort, Daniela. Thanks for looking out,” Liam responds to her.
“No worries,” she responds.
“Okay. Um, Daniela, I’m going to let you go, but have fun! And drink some water! And get lots of sleep. Love you,” Layla spits out.
“Love ya. Be good to my girl!”
Layla looks over at me, laughing and blushing a little.
“Wow. Sorry about that,” she laughs. “She can be very outspoken. But she was definitely hammered.”
I laugh. “It’s okay. She was funny,” I pause and then side-eye her. “So, every day huh? You were waiting for me?”
“Not every day. She’s clearly not a reliable source. It was only like…less than a handful of times.”
I hold her gaze as I slowly lean in and taste her sweet lips on mine, gently exploring her tongue with mine as I pull on her wild, thick hair. Cinnamon rolls and coffee. I think the taste might be my new favorite.