"You know what?” I say in a whisper. “Why don’t you go on in. I think I'll go sit by the fire for a minute.”
Lucy’s eyes double in size, and I swear she hides a gasp.
Please don’t embarrass me.
"Okay," she whispers sweetly and then kisses my cheek.
Relief floods me as I realize shedoesknow how to channel the chill factor after all. Yet just before she steps away, Lucy whispers one more thing very close to my ear.
“Yougo, Mom."
A rush of adrenaline blasts through me at the sentiment. I guess I’m actually doing this.
Lucy heads back into the tent while I bravely head to the firepit, nerves hot and prickly beneath my skin.
Liam drags a log closer to himself and gives the seat a good pat.
“So,” he says as I round the back of the log. “How’s the teen-parent gig going for you?"
The question earns an unexpected laugh, and just like that, my nerves give way to a blessed sense of camaraderie. All these years that separate seem to dissipate as we acknowledge a common experience. An experience I don't take lightly, and, judging by his obviously well-mannered son, I gather Liam doesn't take it lightly either.
The toes of my sneakers graze the empty log, but I don't sit down. Instead, I nod in the direction behind me. “Elijah was telling me about a lookout point up the hill from the parking lot.”
"Hmm, I knew there was a reason I didn’t like Elijah,” Liam teases. The grin on his lips owns the jealous remark, and I can't help but revel in it.
"Want to check it out so we can talk?Withoutour kids spying on us, I mean."
Liam comes to his feet and glances over each shoulder in turn. “I must've done something right in my life,” he mumbles as he shoves his hands in his pockets.
We head the way Lucy and I just came, and I decide to take the bait regarding his remark. "How do you figure?"
He rolls his shoulders back and leans in my direction. "Ashley Chen just invited me to Lookout Point."
I grin and stifle a laugh. "Don't get too excited, Sparky. Don't you watch mystery documentaries with your kids?"
"In fact, I do," he says.
"So you know that only one of two things happens at Lookout Point. Either a make out or take out—as inmurder." I drag the word out in a threatening, low growl.
Liam stops in his tracks and glances at me. “So my chances are fifty, fifty, huh? Those are pretty good odds."
My tummy tightens with warmth and delight. We’re not teenagers anymore, but it sure feels like I’ve stepped back into that territory with the building thrill of anticipation.
I consider the video clip that literally changed my mindset overnight. I still have a list of things to accomplish, but even if this was just it—getting this moment with Liam Wheaton under the stars—it’d be a win.
Of course, it’s not how things used to be when chemistry reigned, and reason went out the window. We’re both parents now, we both have complicated pasts, and there is no telling if the chemistry we once had will return full force or fade with the rising sun.
But even at that, I can’t wait to find out.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Liam
We don't talk a lot on our way to the lookout, but once we get to the far edge overlooking the city and the ocean stretched out beyond, I break the silence.
“Should've brought a blanket," I say, looking down at the patchy ground.
Ashley, who's in a pair of light pajama pants and a sweatshirt, simply shrugs. “I don't mind getting these dirty.” She’s about to sit down to prove it, when I stop her. The PJs won’t stand up to the dirt the way my Levi’s will.
