“We heard he broke it off with Gina and then, when Giovanni said you were bringing your new boyfriend here, I thought there may be trouble.”
A slow grin came to Giovanni’s lips.
“Liam seemed to be holding his own, though, really. I knew I liked him.”
My eyes widened.
“You were watching?”
Before he could answer, Liam returned with the ice and gently held it to my head. He really would make an incredible boyfriend, and after tonight, I knew that I was nearly over Marco. Sinking into a chair, I sighed. My head was starting to pound.
“You two should probably get back to the restaurant. Liam will take me home. I just need to sit for a minute or two.”
They looked hesitant, but Liam assured them he would make sure I got home safely and that we would leave as soon as I was ready. My brothers finally left, and Liam wrapped his arm around me. I rested my head against his chest.
“I am so sorry.”
Liam smiled.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
He was still pressing ice to my head, but I sighed.
“I do. You were in such a good mood and then you had to deal with all of this. My drama.”
Lifting the ice to see how my bruise was doing, he whispered, “Bella, it was inevitable. He knows what he lost. Whether it was tonight here or somewhere else another day, this was going to happen. Just… just at least tell me you aren’t thinking about getting back together with him.”
The ice was back on my head, but I tilted it to make sure I was looking him in the eyes. Before I met Liam, all I thought about was getting back together with Marco. And now, apparently, Marco was back up for grabs. It was surprising how sure I was of my answer.
“Never, Liam. I may not have completely gotten over him yet, although after tonight I should be, but I’m not looking back anymore.”
He looked at me curiously.
“Are you looking forward?”
I tilted my head.
“Almost, Liam. I’m sorry. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but I promise, I’m almost there. Maybe one more Taylor Swift song.”
Liam laughed softly and inspected my injury.
“You know, I’m starting to see a trend here.”
I smiled.
“You always having to ice my injuries?”
Nodding, he sighed.
“I wouldn’t mind so much if the reason you needed the ice was because you were so overwhelmed by my hotness, but really, we need to break this habit otherwise.”
Shaking my head, which turned out to be a big mistake, I laughed weakly.
“If it helps at all, the first time I fell in the restaurant, it was absolutely because of your hotness.”
He looked at me, surprised.
“What? Wait, you think I’m hot?”
