I’ve been preparing my confession, and I can’t wait to get him alone later.
* * *
I’m sitting with the other bridesmaids under the tent at Wild Ranch. We all clap and cheer as Hunter and Winter take their first dance as husband and wife. It’s a fast song that leads into a slow one, and the two of them laugh and have fun being the center of attention.
When the MC calls for the rest of the party to join in, I stand and look for Liam.
I don’t see him. Just as I’m starting to get nervous that he stepped out…
“May I have this dance, Ms. Laine?”
I turn around. Liam gives a half bow and extends his hand.
His green eyes lock with mine.
“Of course.” I take his hand.
He leads me onto the dance floor and circles his free arm around my waist. With my hand in his, we glide across the floor.
“I was looking for you,” I say.
“Oh yeah?” He smiles at me. “I guess I found you first. You look stunning, Haley.”
“Thank you.” I look down at the green bridesmaid dress Winter somehow managed to get altered at the last minute so that it fits perfectly. It’s sleeveless and falls to my knees with a cinched waist. I’m not a fancy girl, but I actually love this dress.
“You look so hot in that suit I was worried every woman here would want you.”
He throws back his head and laughs. “I appreciate the compliment.”
We’re still dancing across the floor, and I’m growing nervous.
It’s now or never, Haley.
“I want to say something.” I stop dancing and lean in closer so I can speak into his ear.
“Me too.” He brushes my cheek with his lips. “Haley, I love you.”
“So I’ve been thinking and…wait.”
What?!
I tilt my head to look up at him.
He swallows, and I know he’s serious as anything.
“I’ve fallen for you so hard,” he says to me. “I know I was supposed to teach you how to care less, so I was a shit instructor because I care about you so much I can’t lie to myself—or you—about it anymore. I know you don’t want serious, so I’m not here to ruin your plans, but…”
I loop both my arms around his neck. “You’re right. I didn’t want serious. Until I met you.” I whisper into his ear, “I love you too, Liam Storm.”
He lifts me up and carries me off the floor and out of the tent.
When we reach a private area of the lawn where no one is, Liam says to me, “I’m going to retire.”
I must look like a fish with how open my mouth is right now.
“I’ve thought about it a lot since Lulu was born,” he says. “And I always returned for another season. Playing in the city where my brothers and I grew up was a dream come true. But…”
“But…” I say, having no idea where this conversation is going.
