I flash a thumbs-up, then look at Kendall. There’s a dazed look in her eyes.
“I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Wait, let me drive you back to the pub so you can get your car.”
“I called a rideshare, they’ll be here in a couple of minutes.”
“Liam, I could have driven you. It’s the least I could do.”
I shake my head. “You stay here with your aunt. It’s okay, really.”
I head out the front door and walk to the end of the driveway so I don’t miss my ride.
“Liam, wait!” I spin around at the sound of Kendall’s voice
She jogs over to me. For a second, we stand there and look at each other.
And then she steps into my space, slides her arms around me, and hugs me.
I’m so surprised that it takes a second to process what’s happening. But when I do, I slide my arms around her and hug her back.
“Thank you,” she says, her voice soft.
“You don’t need to thank me, Kendall.”
She leans back to look at me. “Yes. I do. You were…” She’s quiet as she stares up at me. “You’re amazing.”
“Everyone would have done what I did. I was just trying to be helpful.”
She shakes her head. “Not everyone.” She glances off to the side. “My ex didn’t.” She presses her eyes shut. “I don’t mean to say that my aunt was his responsibility. That’s not how I feel. I’m the one who takes care of her, and I don’t expect anyone to take that on the way I do.” She pauses to swallow. “But he just didn’t want to be part of any of it. I’d invite him to come out with us, and he never wanted to. And when she was having a bad flare-up and I didn’t want to go out and leave her, I’d invite him over to visit and he’d never come.”
She blinks quickly, and that’s when I see the tears brimming in those deep mahogany eyes.
It feels like I’ve just been punched in the gut. I hate seeing Kendall in pain. I hate that her ex was an insensitive jerk who didn’t want to ever be around her aunt.
I gently cup her face in my hand and tilt her head up to me. Those big, beautiful eyes glisten. My entire body aches with the need to take away her pain.
“But you came,” she says softly. “You didn’t even hesitate.”
“Of course, I came. I’d do anything for you, Kendall.”
Her lips part open, and she blinks at me like she can’t believe what I just said.
It’s the truth. I’ve always felt this way about Kendall. Even when she hates me. Even when she can’t stand the sight of me. Even when she wants nothing to do with me.
Anything she wants, anything she needs, I’d do it.
The longer I stare at her, the faster my heart thuds in my chest. Her cheek is soft and hot in my hand. She’s still pressed against me, and I feel her breathing kick up.
Her gaze falls to my mouth. I hold my breath, aching to kiss her.
The sound of a car pulling up beside me kills the moment.
Kendall steps back and out of my embrace and glances at the car. “Your ride is here.”
I glance over at the rideshare that I just now remember ordering. Oh. Right.
Disappointment crashes through me. I’m coming off the high of touching and holding Kendall, of almost kissing her again.
