Pursing her lips, she bends down and does as I suggest, and I pull a paper out of my back pocket, carefully unfolding it. “Okay, I don’t wanna ruin the moment, but I have no idea what I’m looking at.”
Rolling my eyes at her with a smile, I hand her the paper. Our fingers brush together, and I marvel at the different emotions crossing her face until they all explode and land on excitement.
“You always said you wanted a star,” I mumble, and her head snaps up.
“You didn’t.”
“Of course I did,” I say.
Her eyes stop as they zone in on the date. “And you bought thisfive years agoon—” She hiccups slightly, her eyes widening in realization.
“On your birthday.”
I put my hand on her face and smile. Thankfully, she smiles right back at me. She takes a deep breath and I finally get to rub the tears from her cheeks while hugging her. She hugs me back, the paper crinkling as her hands wrap around my neck. The wind blows by andthe crickets chirp. Then, little fireflies come closer to the light the candles give off, making the place even more magical.
“Liam,” she starts, but I put a finger on her lips and she scrunches her nose. I let out a low chuckle at her cute expression, easing away some of the nervousness.
“Thatday, I was the most nervous I had ever been. I was yourbest friend, and for once in my life, I was stuck on what to give you for your birthday. I racked my brain that entire week, and leading up to my game, I got it.The most brilliant idea ... I would get you that star you were always looking at, and even named because you said it looked lonely.” She chuckles, shaking her head. “Bianca, I don’t know if you’ve realized that my entire life has revolved around you. As much as I wanted to believe it didn’t when we stopped talking, you’ve always been in my heart.You never left.” I roll my shoulders. “These past couple of days have been the best of my life. We both spent so much time building our walls against each other, but I’d like to think it was a matter of time before they were supposed to come down. So we could love each other.” I cup her face gently, wanting her to look me right in my eyes.
“I know I was cold at first, and you found out some things about my past. Freshman year of college was the worst. I still couldn’t fathom that I was living a life that you weren’t in anymore. I listened to some guys, and one thing led to another ...” I close my eyes in pain, but I open them back up. She deserves to know everything. “The night with Vanessa meantnothingto me, and I felt so disgusted afterward. Even though you weren’t in my life, and we weren’t dating, I felt like I betrayed you—betrayed myself.Betrayed us.I hate that she was my first ...” My voice catches at the idea that I so carelessly gave away my first time, and I close my eyes, hoping it doesn’t make Bianca look at me any differently. “I want you to be my last.” Pulling back, I raise her face, hoping she knows what she means to me.
What she’s always meant.
“Bianca, you’re the most radiant woman I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. You’re the one I’m irrevocably and patheticallyin love with. You’re the girl whom I’llalwayslove. I always have since I was eight years old. It’s always been you from the very beginning. So, I want to ask you one more question, and hopefully you say yes.” My nerves bubble up, but I push them down. “Would you do me the greatest honor of letting me be your boyfriend? Not because you need me, but because Idesperatelyneed you. I always have, and always will, Freckles.”
I stand there, heart in hand, waiting to see what she does with it. She looks up at me and I take a deep breath, sweat building up again. Then, she wraps her arms around my neck.
“Yes.”
A simple word, yet it explodes my whole world. She pushes her lips against mine and my heart thunders. My inner child jumps for joy and I wrap my arms around her waist, spinning her in a tight circle. She giggles, pulling back, and the reflection of light hits her from all angles.
Putting her down, I kiss her once more, the love pouring out between us. She smiles against my lips. “The signature Disney spin.”
“I told you I did my research, baby.” She blushes at the pet name and reaches up.
“I love you, Liam Parker.”
I sigh, those words being the sweetest harmony I’ve ever heard. I lean down, my lips brushing hers ever so slightly. “I love you more, Bianca Harrison.” I kiss her again. My arms bring her closer, the flickering lights casting the most beautiful glow all around us. I pull back and smile as she turns back to the telescope. I’ve been planning stargazing dates in my head for years, never believing they would actually happen. I mean, I’ve been waiting most of my life to be with my soulmate. Even if I hoped, I don’t think I ever believed that this girl who’s joyously looking at her star would finally become mine, and I hers.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
BIANCA
The bell over the front door of the animal shelter jingles, and I smile at the familiar doggy smell. I get some smiles my way, and then the bell jingles once more, and someone grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers. Looking up at Liam, he smiles down at me as we walk hand in hand for the first time toward the back to clock in for a shift.
As we walk into the break room, Rachel waves at us, then her eyes drift down. “And when did this happen?” She’s wearing a huge grin, and a blush spreads across my face when Liam moves to answer.
“Unofficially, ages ago. Officially, last night.”
She chuckles and nods. “Well, you guys look pretty cute.” At that, her radio rumbles and we look at her, knowing who it’s about. “This dog will be the death of me.” She sighs as Liam and I laugh. He gives me a sweet kiss as he heads to the kennels and I go to the vet room. I put on some paper scrubs, moving to wash up. I observe Penelope and the technicians helping Daisy, our momma dog, give birth. The heat of the moment causes sweat to drip down my back, a drop smudging my notes a bit. The fan above us does nothing butprovide a creaky sound every couple of seconds. Penelope mumbles something, and one of the techs hands her a tool in an instant, efficiency being of the utmost importance.
“You see, Bianca,” she acknowledges me, and I make a move to get closer. “The most rewarding thing I can do is save a dog’s life, but most importantly, it’s when I help our pups get from there to here, safe and sound.” At that, small whimpers fill the room and I smile when I see four little border collies, all whining as they settle next to their mother.
The vet techs begin to write their reports and I look down at the little puppies, joy filling my heart.
I lean against Liam’s side as Sam huffs and moves his head on my lap as I continue to pet him.
“So, Penelope told me you were in the room for the birth today.” Glancing up at him, he gives me a sweet smile when I raise an eyebrow. “Word spread really fast about you and me, hence her saying something.” He gives me a kiss on my forehead.
