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“Another time, Liam, okay? I’d love to catch up and see how your family is.” She smiles at him.
“Sure. I’d enjoy that.”
She pops her head back into the kitchen, leaving us alone again.
“I’ll walk you outside,” I say awkwardly, leading him to the front door and outside the house.
“Are you going home or back to the bakery?”
“Home,” he says. “But the bakery first, to get my car.”
I laugh. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I ate before I left work. I’ll grab a doughnut from Bake My Day.” When I glance at him, he sighs. “I know. I know.”
We laugh together until we reach the sidewalk. “Do you work every day?” I ask, letting my eyes linger on his strong jawline.
“Only during the week. I have Saturdays and Sundays off.” Liam stops and turns to me. “Are you off work tomorrow?”
I’m not. “Why?”
“I was going to see if you’d like to come to work with me,” he says easily. “See what it’s like. I’d love to show it to you.”
“Really?” My heart thrums with excitement.
“Yeah. You can meet the kids, experience what the camp is like, and how it works. It’ll be fun.”
“Of course, I know it will be fun.” A reluctant laugh drifts from my lips. “Will it be okay, though?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if it wouldn’t be, Penny. Patrick, the owner, is always looking for observers to give reports on what we do. He’ll welcome you with open arms.”
My heart beats so fast I think it will burst from my chest. I want to say yes, but I can’t. I’ve been off for two weeks.
“I can’t tomorrow, it’s my first day back to work.”
“Oh.” Disappointment evident in Liam’s voice. “When is your next day off?”
“I’m off next Tuesday. Can that work?”
“That works!” Liam’s eyes dance, and I find myself lost in his happiness.
“Great! I’m excited. What time should I expect you?”
“Be ready at seven-thirty sharp,” he says beaming at me.
“Seven-thirty sharp, next Tuesday, you got it.”
He hesitates for a moment and looks at me as if he’s thinking about something. His body is leaning toward me, and my heart races again at the thought that he may hug me.
Instead he turns, and starts walking backwards, a smile on his face. “See you next Tuesday.”
I wave and he turns away, walking down the street. I continue to watch him long after he disappears down the road before heading back into the house.
Chapter 17
Liam
I eye myself in the rearview mirror, and take a deep breath. “Don’t mess this up, Liam.” I catch a glimpse of Tex in the backseat with his head tilted, and the corner of my lips pull up. His mouth is closed, and his eyes are intently focused on me as if to say, yeah, Dad, don’t mess this up.
