The man chuckled.
“Indeed. Not my favorite aspect of these things either.”
I watched as Liam pulled something from the inside pocket of his jacket.
“Of course, I still want to make sure my donation is made. Would you mind making sure it gets into the right hands? Your research is so important, and I know you will put all the money to good use.”
Dr. Wilcox beamed.
“It will be my pleasure, son. Thank you so much for your generosity. Your family has always been my biggest supporters.”
Liam offered the man a bright smile.
“Thank you so much. Please excuse us now. I would hate to be late to such an important meeting.”
Before I knew what was happening, Liam had slipped his hand in mine and was rushing me out of the museum. I looked at him, baffled. He had made me buy this expensive dress, prepped me for an encounter with Cassidy and a possible encounter with his parents, and then seemed to chicken out at the last minute. As he hurried me into the car, I met his gaze and forced him to stop for a moment.
“Is everything okay?”
Liam took a deep breath and nodded.
“Yes. I just… I just couldn’t do it. I’m so sorry. As soon as we walked toward the auction, it felt like my past was trying to cave in on me. It was making it hard to breathe. It brought up all the things about me that I’m trying to forget. I don’t want to be that spoiled trust fund guy that goes to a charity event to be seen and not to actually support the charity.”
My heart ached for him. The pain in his eyes would have broken my heart if Marco hadn’t already smashed it to pieces. Reaching out, I touched his cheek. I wanted to say the right thing, but it was hard to determine what that would be. I decided what he needed was something lighthearted.
“Well, since I’m in a dress that feels like it’s actually made out of clouds, what do you say about getting some heavenly coffee to go with it?”
The negative emotions that had been floating through his eyes were suddenly gone, and I finally saw the sparkle of amusement I had come to adore.
“I thought my coffee shop didn’t meet your high standards.”
I sank into the passenger seat and waited for him to hurry around and slip into the driver’s side.
“Well, you know what they say in Italy. When in Rome…”
Liam burst out laughing but started the car. As he pulled away, his hand found mine, and he brought mine to his lips.
“In case I don’t say it enough, I really don’t know how I would survive without you.”
Smiling brightly at him, I rested my head against his arm.
“Luckily for you, you don’t have to. You’re stuck with me for life, Liam Covington. Think of me as your daily dollop of joy.”
He laughed again, a sound I would never get tired of hearing.
“You’re more than that. You’re my heart of gold forever.”
I sighed happily as we headed toward the café, but I couldn’t help but wonder why it was that my heart of gold still seemed to be broken when everything I could possibly want was sitting right next to me. We only had two months left. Time seemed to be flying by.
Chapter 17
Week5–Sunday
Isabella
I had downplayed the momentousness of this dinner. Although Liam and my father had bonded all day during the races, dinner was an entirely different event. Liam really had no idea how important it was that my father invited him for dinner.
Honestly, the more my father liked him, the more pressure I felt. I never intended for our fake dating life to become such a big part of my family. If Liam and I never found our spark, it was going to break my father’s heart to find out we “broke up.”
