She let out a laugh at that. “Why am I not surprised? You and those favors.”
Hope. That was what Liam felt swelling in his chest, growing by the hour, as Tessa flashed her illuminating smile. The way her eyes dazzled in the sunlight made him feel anything was possible. And today, maybe it was.
Chapter Twelve
Tessa
Tessa fiddled with the sleeve of her jacket as they waited for a table. A bush plane coming in for a landing buzzed overhead. In the couple of hours they spent chasing down the radiator and a few other spare parts, the lakeside restaurant had exploded with a lunch crowd.
She wasn’t nervous around Liam anymore, and that seemed to be the problem. It had taken less than three days to feel comfortable, as though he was a regular part of her life.I’m in trouble.Their brief time running errands left her yearning to return to Anchorage to explore and enjoy—with him.
Outside of airport trips, Tessa had only been to Anchorage once before. She’d taken a rare trip with Aunt Patty to pick out new linens for some of the guest rooms. Only the finest bedding and towels would do for her guests.Give them the best night of sleep they’ve ever had, and they’ll always come back. But now Tessa yearned for date nights and walks downtown.
She dug in her purse to check her phone, hoping the gesture would ground her back in reality. But no word from anyone. Not even her sisters, much less the show.
“When’s the last time you cooked with fresh Alaskan salmon?” Liam asked her, brushing away a stray hair from her neck, forcing her to abandon her purse rummaging. Would she always shiver at his featherlight touch?
“Never,” Tessa admitted. She’d cooked with fresh salmon, but not the Alaskan variety. She added it to her list of things to try before she left.Because I am leaving. She’d been reminding herself of that little detail all day.
“They have the best here. You should try it.” Liam’s smirk warned her he was set on riling her up.
She saw right through that trap. He remembered what appealing to her competitive side did, it seemed. “You just want me to cook for you.”
“If I had Alaskan salmon twice in the same week, I wouldn’t complain.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t.” He stood much too close, but Tessa couldn’t seem to take even a single step back. The magnetic pull between them was impossible to fight. Her gaze dropped to his lips, remembering the first time he kissed her that summer, beneath the waterfall. He was her very first kiss. Back then, Tessa was certain he’d also be her last.
“Idohave some salmon in my parents’ chest freezer.”
“Why at your—”
“Davies, party of two?” the host called before Tessa could pry. She wanted to know why it was at his parents’ house, and more importantly, why he’d give up a place to live—and his own freezer—before the next one was ready. It would cost him a small fortune living at the lodge for several months.
“We’re up.” He reached for her hand, probably hoping to rattle her nerves and make her forget her questions. But Tessa wriggled free and walked forward.
His parents had upsized. Tessa had caught two more guest rooms in that basement besides the one with the crib, and April could only be using one of them. Liam never did anything without a purpose. She just hadn’t figured out what this was about.
He followed close enough behind her that a wave of heat danced between them. It might be the sun; someone at the auto parts store told them Anchorage hadn’t seen a bit of rain since early morning.
Are we on a date? Tessa wondered as she took a seat. The tables and chairs were cast iron, but thick maroon cushions made her comfortable with little effort.
“Your server will be with you shortly to grab your drink order,” the host said once they were both situated and goblets were filled with ice water. “I recommend the salmon today. It’s extra good.”
“See,” Liam said.
Tessa felt the urge to stick her tongue out at him, just to be silly. But with so many other diners around them, she refrained. It seemed strange to be on the other side of the kitchen. She could appreciate a good meal as much as the next person, but Tessa couldn’t recall the last time she’d dined at any restaurant.
Had it been lack of time or pickiness? She wasn’t sure.
“Relax,” Liam told her after they ordered beverages. “All you have to do is enjoy yourself.”
“I’m trying,” admitted Tessa, feeling more vulnerable than usual. Her guard was dropping, her feet sinking into that quicksand, and there was nothing she could do about it. The gentle breeze brought the scent of Liam’s aftershave to her, and she nearly melted in her chair.
“Have you thought about—” Whatever Liam had been about to say was interrupted by a buzzing in his pocket. He pulled out his phone, and his expression changed to apologetic. “Sorry, I have to take this. It’ll be quick.”
“Sure.”
“Order me the salmon.” He winked at her as he stood and headed toward a gate. “We’re not ready to talk about tile yet,” she heard him say before he walked too far out of hearing range.
