“Will Flowers,” Liam says, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “He said he needs to talk to both of us. Wants us to meet him at Lura’s at two.”
He hesitates, glancing at me, something flickering in his eyes.
“Her body’s ready to view, too,” he adds softly. “If you want to go.”
The bubble of love and peace we’ve been wrapped in bursts all at once. Reality slams into me like a freight train. Lura’s gone. Really, truly gone. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I swallow hard, nodding.
“I do.”
Liam leans over, pressing a kiss to my temple, his touch warm and grounding.
“Let’s get ready, honey,” he murmurs. “See what Will wants.”
We shower together, but this time it’s different. It’s not about heat or hunger, but soft, grounding touches. A brush of fingers over my back. A kiss to my shoulder. The kind of wordless affection that says I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.
I dress in jeans and a plain black shirt, feeling the need to keep things simple and respectful.
Liam matches me without even discussing it. Black jeans and black shirt, his hand finding mine as we head out to the truck.
We drive into town in comfortable silence, the weight of the day pressing down on both of us.
Will is already waiting when we pull up in front of Lura’s Porch. He leans against his old truck, arms crossed, hat pulled low to shade his eyes. Even from a distance, I can tell he’s nervous.
“Afternoon, Liam. Olive,” he says as we approach.
Liam’s arm immediately goes around me, protective and steady.
“Everything okay, Will?” he asks, his voice low but edged with concern.
Will rubs the back of his neck, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but here.
“It seems Ms. Lura left the building to me,” he says. “Technically, she left it to my grandfather, who passed it to my father, and now, well, now it’s mine.”
He shakes his head, as if he can’t believe he’s inherited a building.
“Anyway,” he continues, “I guess that makes me the new owner.”
My heart stumbles, hope fluttering weakly in my chest.
I start, voice shaky, “Does that mean you’re going to let me keep my apartment?”
Beside me, Liam stiffens, his body going rigid. I know what he’s thinking. That if I stay here, it’s one more reason not to move in with him permanently. But before I can reassure him that home isn’t a place anymore, it’s him, Will cuts in.
“No, ma’am,” he says, voice full of regret. “I’m afraid I can’t let you stay here. Not for a while, at least.”
Pain lances through me sharper than I expect.
“The gas leak’s worse than we thought,” Will continues. “We’re lucky the whole place hasn’t gone up already. It’s going to take months to get everything squared away.”
I nod, forcing myself to stay composed, even though my heart feels like it’s cracking wide open.
“I understand. When can I get my things?” I add, because practicalities are easier to cling to than grief.
“The Chief’s sending over a team,” Will says. “We’ll start today. Shouldn’t take long.”
Liam’s hand tightens around mine. And even though I’m losing the place I called home I know I’m not losing everything. Because I have Liam. And he’s not going to let me face any of it alone.
Liam’s voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.
