27
After Liam went back to buy us tickets — only thirty this time, ten times fewer than he'd originally asked for — we wandered through the center, taking part in the various games and activities the kids had put together.
Despite our teasing, neither Liam or I got our faces painted. He did win me a small stuffed giraffe at the balloon dart game, and in return I won him a large stuffed polar bear. I'd played darts at Jessie's dive bar often enough to clean up nicely.
I wondered if Liam would turn disgruntled after I one-upped him at the game, but he accepted his prize with a delighted grin. All afternoon he pecked the bear's button nose to my lips and cheeks.
"If I can't kiss you directly, at least I can give you polar bear kisses," he said.
It was such a cute, childish gesture that it warmed my heart. For all that Liam called himself a sex-god rock star, he was also thoughtful and sweet.
I supposed I shouldn't have been surprised. Even from the start, when we'd first met behind those concert tents, he'd taken the time to reassure and encourage an insecure young woman, a complete stranger.
After we'd spent about an hour playing games, we stopped to buy some food from the bake sale. There were slices of cake and pie, lemon tarts and cookies, along with a host of other sugary treats. I was torn between a slice of blueberry or cherry pie when I saw something that made my mouth water.
"Oh my god, they have double chocolate fudge brownies," I moaned in one breath. I slammed a handful of bills on the table, picked up a large square and took a bite. I moaned again, closing my eyes at the burst of chocolate on my tongue.
"Do you need a moment with that brownie?" Liam asked. "Should I leave the two of you alone?"
I didn't answer, just swallowed and sank my teeth into the soft deliciousness again.
"I suppose it's useless to ask if I can have a bite," Liam said.
"No sharing," I said in between mouthfuls. "Get your own."
"So that's your weakness, is it? Chocolate fudge brownies?"
"Mm-hm," I mumbled.
"Good to know."
The wicked glint in his eyes had me wondering what he was going to do with that knowledge. I had visions of chocolate sauce and naked skin. I hoped that was where his mind was going, too.
I'd just finished the square and wiped my mouth and sticky fingers when a familiar deep voice spoke up from behind me.
"Should've known I'd find you here."
Morris appeared next to me with his girlfriend Natalie by his side. A little stab of pain shot through me, but it quickly passed. I gave the two of them a bright, genuine smile.
"It's good to see you guys," I said. "Are you here for fun or to volunteer?"
"I'm technically working." Natalie clung to Morris's beefy arm. Her long hair was pulled back in a sophisticated braid, which suited her classical, feminine features. Last I'd heard, she'd gotten a part-time job working at the center. "Morris is here for moral support."
Morris cocked his head. "How many brownies you eat so far?"
"Just the one," I said. "But give me time. I only found them thirty seconds ago."
We both went in for a hug at the same time. Natalie beamed, overjoyed that her scheme to reunite us had worked, and that we'd stayed in touch.
When we pulled back, Liam held his hand out to Morris. Morris took it with a careful nod, no doubt remembering Liam's curt behavior. I eyed their clasped hands to see if they either one of them squeezed too tightly in a show of aggressive dominance, but it was simply a firm handshake.
"Natalie, this is Liam," I introduced, knowing that she hadn't yet met him. "He's my new guitarist and—"
I paused there, wondering whether to say it.
Liam held his hand out to Natalie as well. "I'm her boyfriend," he completed for me.
I bit my lip to suppress a giddy smile from spreading ear to ear.
