The words hit me like a sweet wrecking ball.
I squeeze my eyes shut, clutching the front of his t-shirt.
Because in that sleepy, unguarded moment, I know.
This isn’t pretend anymore.
It’s real.
It’s terrifying.
And it’s already too late to stop it.
“Me too,” I whisper against his chest.
Liam shifts, pulling me even closer. There’s no space between us now. None. Not a breath, not a heartbeat, not a regret.
“I’m gonna call Teddy and cancel,” he murmurs, voice roughened with sleep and something heavier.
My head jerks up, just enough to look at him. “What? Why?”
His hand slides up and down my spine in slow, soothing strokes.
“Because you’re grieving, honey. Work can wait.”
Tears sting the backs of my eyes again, but I blink them away.
I shake my head against his chest. “Work is what I need. It's the only thing that'll keep me from falling apart right now.”
He lets out a long, low sigh, the kind that feels like it scrapes against his ribs.
“Fine,” he says, resigned. “But then I’m putting my foot down about one thing.”
I lift an eyebrow, curious.
“I demand we bring Sammi into the house,” he says firmly, like it's non-negotiable.
I blink, caught completely off guard. “But why?”
His hand stills at my back, splaying wide.
“Because you're living here now. And she’ll comfort you.”
My throat tightens so hard it hurts. He says it like it’s already decided. Like there’s no question about it. No expiration date. No awkward explanations needed.
My damn breath catches in my chest. For a second, I can't speak.
But somehow, I find my voice. “Fine,” I manage, barely above a whisper. “You can bring her inside.”
His body relaxes against mine, a soft, satisfied sound rumbling low in his chest. “Good.”
The quiet stretches between us, warm and thick, like a blanket.
And then, in a voice even rougher than before, Liam says, “You scared me last night.”
I stiffen slightly, but he doesn't let me pull away.
“When I heard you crying…” His fingers trail lightly up and down my spine again, like he can't stop touching me. “I didn’t know what to do. Didn’t know how to make it better.”
