Page 89 of Just Between Us

Mind reeling,my emotions run the gamut from sad to anger to disgust. How could someone be so cruel? I stand by what I said, that it was his grief talking, but still.

No wonder Liam has hurt so badly all this time. Each time that haunted expression, thousand-yard stare crossed his face, he was hearing those words.

“Liam…have you ever told anyone that?”

With my forehead still pressed to his, I feel his head move side to side. “Not about her dad. No.”

I lean back just enough to meet his eyes, which are red-rimmed and glassy. I wonder what it cost him to tear those boards off the windows of his soul. To finally face the storm raging inside.

“What made you decide to tell me?”

Liam’s shoulders rise and fall on an exhale and he leans back, head tipped toward the night sky. He’s quiet so long I think he won’t answer. But then he lifts his head, eyes tracing my face.

“Since Julie died, I’ve fucked around a lot. I’m ashamed of how much. I despise the man I became.” His mouth twists in a grimace. “But I never allowed feelings to get involved. Never kept anyone around long enough.” His eyes burn into mine. “Then, out of nowhere, you dropped into my life. From the moment I saw you, I couldn’t look away. I did everything to convince myself it was nothing. Just me being a good friend, helping you through a rough time. But the more I got of you the more I wanted. Every second spent with you was never enough.” His eyes lower to linger on my lips before jumping back up. “I want more with you, angel, a hell of a lot more.”

My chest coils tight. He’s never told anyone, and it’s me he’s chosen to break the silence with. Me he wants more with.

The therapist in me knows what this means. This level of vulnerability. The admission that he wants more. It’s not something Liam would say lightly. Not after everything he’s just revealed.

But the words Sam spoke to me that day at the diner come slithering in, twisting their way into my mind.Liam will break your heart. You can’t fix him.

Sam was certainly right about one thing. I can’t fix Liam. That’s not my job nor place, and the urge to try has me feeling like I’ve been cleaved clear through. But no. He has to choose his own healing.

But the rest of it? Sam’s certainty that Liam would break my heart?

I look at him now, cheeks tear dampened, anguish etched into his face. This doesn’t feel like a man who’s careless with hearts. This feels like someone who is terrified of hurting people, so much so he’s built a fortress around his own heart to avoid feeling or causing pain again.

“You have feelings for me?”

“I do,” he states simply. Two little words that feel monumental. And oh, the feelings I’ve had for him.

“I’m not alone in this, right? There’s something here? Between you and me.” He waves a hand between us.

Swallowing hard, I nod. I absolutely feel it. This boundless impossible thing. “Something pretty big,” I risk on a whisper.

“But I still need you to be patient with me,” Liam adds. “Canyou do that? I know I’ve asked that of you so much now, but you honestly can’t imagine how confusing this all is for me.”

Pressing my palm to his cheek, I let my thumb graze the rough shadow of stubble growing there and admire this beautiful man in front of me. Once more, tears prick the backs of my eyes at just how much he’s come to mean to me. “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

Liam takes my hand into his to press a tender kiss into my open palm, then weaves our fingers together.

“One more thing,” he says after a beat. “I’m ready to make that appointment.”

My heart swells with pride, and I’d give anything to throw my hands around his neck and press kisses on every inch of his face. Instead, the biggest grin breaks through the heaviness of the moment.

“Can we at least go inside for that? It’s fucking cold out here.”

Liam lowers the flame on the fire pit, and the two of us make our way into his house, settling on his couch with Mutt curled up at my feet.

“I did a Google search the other day, and found that guy, the therapist Austin told me about. Thought I’d have to call but you can book straight from his website.”

Liam pulls up the therapists website, thumb hovering over a blueMake An Appointmentbutton. He squeezes his eyes shut and in a quick movement clicks the button. A calendar pops up and within two minutes Liam has his first therapy appointment for next Monday.

On a slow exhale, he sets his phone back on the coffee table. Mission accomplished. I’m watching his profile, the way his body relaxes, when I catch it. A scent that doesn’t quite belong.

“Do you smell that?” I ask.

Liam goes from peaceful to panicked in half a second, color draining from his face. “Shit. The cake.”