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“Anytime.”
I hang up, and surprisingly, the smile remains on my face. I stay in my happy little bubble until movement in the backseat catches my eye, and I turn to see Tex stretching tiredly.
“I’m doing this for her, bub,” I say like he’s aware of everything happening. “I’m doing this for Penny.”
Chapter 20
Penny
“Going on a date?”
I turn away from my reflection in the mirror to look at my sister, who’s leaning against the door frame, narrowing her eyes at me. “What makes you think I’m going on a date?”
Stacy rolls her eyes, walks into my room, and flops on my bed. “Seriously?” she says. “Come on. I’ve watched you do this any time you went out in high school. You have a date.”
I try to ignore her teasing, but I can’t stop my lips from lifting at the corners as I face the mirror again. Liam had said to dress casually, so I opted for a pair of blue jeans, a blue button-down with a white tank top underneath, and sneakers. I have no clue where Liam plans to take me, and honestly, I don’t mind. I’m just happy that he’s letting me in.
As I turn away from my reflection for the last time, I glance at my wrist and see it’s eleven thirty. I leave my sister on my bed and jog down the steps. To my exasperation, she follows me.
“Stacy, what do you want?”
“Details?” Stacy says in my ear, and I jump at her being so close. I try to ignore her, but she’s like a bee to honey and won’t leave me alone. “Tell me. Who are you going out with?”
“Stacy…” I groan. “Can you please stop?”
Suddenly, her eyes widen, and her mouth parts. “Wait. It’s Liam.”
I slap my hand over her mouth and quickly look toward the front door.
“Be quiet. I don’t want Mom to hear you.”
Stacy rolls her eyes. “You don’t want her to know?”
“No.” I glare at my sister while inching my bag up my shoulder. “I don’t.”
“Why not?”
“Umm…let’s see, a few weeks ago, I was set to marry someone else. I think that’s more than enough reason, don’t you?”
“Fine,” Stacy whispers, and then she asks again. “Is it Liam?”
“Yes.” I grit my teeth and head for the door.
“You look good,” Stacy shouts as I walk out the door, and the frown leaves my face.
“Thank you,” I call back to her with a smile on my face.
When I reach the swing, I have a feeling of deja vu. This is where I used to sit and wait for Liam. After he left, I shut down the part of me that would have those memories. Yet here I am today. Sitting in the same spot as if no time has passed.
The door opens, and I roll my eyes and crane my neck, expecting to see Stacy. My breath catches in my throat when I see my mother approaching me instead. I feel my stomach swirl and my heart race. When she sits next to me, my mouth gets dry.
She sits down but doesn’t say anything. The more time that passes without her saying a word, the faster my heart beats. I wipe my hands on my jeans and shift in my seat. Finally, she puts a hand on mine, and I turn to look at her.
“It’s Liam, isn’t it?” She asks as Liam pulls over to the curb. I don’t know what she means, but the answer is yes. Whatever it is, yes, it’s Liam.
“Yes, Mom,” I whisper. “It’s Liam.”
Before she can respond, the car door slams shut, and Liam walks toward us, a gentle smile on his face that makes my breath catch.
