And Summer. She’s lightning in a bottle. If looks could kill, she’d have a body count. I admire how graceful she is in her strength. She’s feminine and soft, but stands up, no questions asked, for those she loves.
I see why Liam loves them. I see why they’re so special to him. They’re like the sisters he never had, and hearing how they speak about him only makes my admiration for them grow.
There’s a text from Mia as I’m pulling into the parking garage. A reminder about Friendsgiving. I just hope Liam still wants me to come with him.
I quickly walk into the lobby, waving at Rob as I walk by in a hurry. I probably look like a crazy person right now, fuzzy socks with a pair of sneakers, leggings, and an old band shirt from at least ten years ago. But I don’t care as I rush through to the double doors, entering my code and heading toward the elevators.
The thought of texting Liam crossed my mind, but I ended up deciding against it. Showing up at his door feels better. I know he got in late last night with how the away game travel works, but he’s naturally an early riser. It’s just past ten so he should definitely be awake.
Swinging my door open, I drop my bag on the floor and head right back out the door to his apartment.
When I raise my hand to knock, I stop myself briefly. Giving my mind just a moment to relax. My body takes a moment to calm down and my heart seconds to stop racing.
My knuckles tap on the door as I stand just outside, arms hugging my body. I shift on my feet, feeling anxious and excited at the same time. I knock again, a little louder this time.
What the hell?
At this point, I may as well text him to make sure he’s home and not out somewhere. There’s no chance he went anywhere last night when he got home and stayed out. I don’t even let the thought linger.
I give it a couple of moments, but there’s no reply. And no answer at the door. But I refuse to lose this burst of energy I have. This adrenaline. The need to see him.
I contemplate texting Summer, but before I resort to that I sift through our moments together. He’s not home. But he’s not at the facility.
The roof.
I spin on my heel, forcing one foot in front of the other as I make my way down the hall and toward the stairwell to get to the roof. I feel like I’m in a romantic comedy—rushing like a mad woman to get to the man she loves so she can tell him.
I take the steps two at a time, feeling like I definitely should start taking spin classes as my thighs burn after two flights, and I see sunlight coming from the small window of the door that opens up to the roof.
Without hesitating, my hand latches onto the lever and I swing the door open, crashing through it like I’m on fire.
And he’s there.
Perfectly. Wholly. There.
“Dem,” he says, a low rasp in his voice when he turns to face me. “What are you doing up here?” He takes a few steps closer, giving me a soft smile as he does.
I exhale a deep breath as I smile. “I was in the neighborhood.”
He chuckles. A hearty sound coming from his chest as he stands just feet away from me. His beautiful hazel eyes admiring mine. A look I’ve seen on his face for years, but never gave a second thought to, is now the one look I long for. The way he sees me, wants me, craves me, is magnetic. I’m so drawn to him. So in love with him I can’t see straight.
“I texted you,” I say.
“Ah, sorry, my phone is on the charger. I just came up here to…sit.” He shrugs, and I take a step forward.
“You love me,” I say, sounding almost like a confirmation.
He runs a hand through his hair, pulling gently at the tips before he places his hands back in his pockets. The light gray T-shirt showing off every muscle on his chest and arms, dangerously close to distracting me.
He nods. “I do.” His hand reaches for mine and I let him take it. “Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Forever, Dem. Even if you never love me a day in your life, I love you.”
I feel his thumb caress the back of my hand, and I blink up at him.
“And if I do?”
There’s a glimmer in his eye as he tilts his head. “If you what?” He inches closer, our bodies now touching and I could sink into the heat coming off him.
“What if I love you?” I whisper. “What if I can’t stop thinking about all the ways you’ve loved me from a distance for years? What if when I can’t sleep at night all I’m thinking about is you and the way you look at me?” My inhale is shaky as I look down, but I feel his hand on my chin, tipping it up. “What if I’m so madly in love with you that it makes me questioneverything? Makes me want to riskeverything?”
