Now, most girls would melt at this. Not that it didn’t melt me, but what it really did was confuse me even more. I frowned.
“So… all this time, you’ve been attracted to me?”
Liam sighed.
“Yes, Bella. Why do you think it’s so frustrating that, for some reason, even though I’m attracted to you in every way, whenever we touch, there seems to be nothing there? That’s why I thought maybe it was because of the Marco thing…”
My whole world felt like it was crumbling. If it wasn’t the physical attraction thing, and it wasn’t an emotional thing, then maybe it really wasn’t meant to be between me and Liam. Because I really was over Marco.
“Why do you look like I just killed a puppy?”
We did flicker, though… right?
“Because…. it’s not the Marco thing. I’m over Marco. He doesn’t have my heart anymore. So, if both our hearts are okay, and we are physically attracted to each other… I… I don’t know what else to try.”
Liam looked at me wide-eyed.
“You’re over Marco?”
I pressed my head to his chest.
“Yes. I was going to tell you tonight. I… I have a surprise for you too. I was going to give it to you after I told you about Marco.”
His chest rose as he took a deep breath, and then he released me and slipped his hand into mine.
“Can I still have it?”
Smiling, I nodded.
“Of course.”
I started to lead him inside; we made our way to the guest room I had gotten dressed in. He locked the door so we wouldn’t get interrupted.
I smiled.
“Don’t get too excited. I wanted to do something special for you, but I’m not as well funded.”
Liam laughed.
“I will love it no matter what.”
Walking toward the closet where I had hidden it, I sighed.
“Well, it occurred to me the other night that you don’t have anything in your room that is you. Like… no photos, no mementos. So, I realized that when you decided to become this new person you keep reminding me you are, you must have decided to get rid of the things that reminded you of that old life.”
I must not have been wrong because he nodded. Pulling my gift out of the closet, I laid it on the bed. Liam walked over as I started to explain.
“I made you a memory board. For us. Reminders of things we have done together.”
There was a picture of us at Homecoming, a napkin from the coffee shop, envelopes from our lunch notes.
“I know there isn’t much on it right now, but we have plenty of time to add to it.”
Liam looked at me; I grew insecure.
“You don’t have to use it. I know it’s not like… a manly thing, although I did use all darker tones.”
He pulled me against him and almost crushed me.
