I point at the coffee table and the cake. “It’s over there.”
“You went out?” Her voice trembles. “I thought we agreed that I’d go with you if you want to step out.”
She’s been hovering and I fucking love it. I know she’s worried but I’m getting stronger by the day.
We’re not that far out from the day I can take her to bed and ravish her.
I’m counting the goddamn hours until that happens.
Her eyes skim my face.
I took the step to rid myself of the beard and long hair the night I met Gareth. I’ve always known that the face under the beard didn’t look like my parents or siblings.
I walked into the barbershop across the street from Wild Lilac and requested a shave and a haircut. By the time I stepped out of the chair, I felt like a new man.
The face I see in the mirror finally is familiar to me.
“Tilly brought the cake.” I sigh. “Sebastian picked up your gift.”
“There’s a gift?” Her gaze drifts back to the table. “You didn’t have to get me a gift, Liam. The surgery was the gift.”
It sure as hell was.
I’m looking at years with her now. I can plan ahead, get married, have kids, live.
We’re going to work toward that.
I tug on the bottom of the navy T-shirt I’m wearing. “How could I not get the woman I love a gift? It was supposed to be in your hand on your birthday.”
“Do I have to wait until after dinner to have it?”
I huff out a laugh. “Fuck no. Come with me.”
Her hand drops in mine. I press my lips to her palm before I tug her toward the sofa.
EPILOGUE
7 monthslater
Athena
I gazein the mirror at the gold locket hanging around my neck. The etched lilac on the front catches the light and shimmers.
I haven’t taken the locket off since Liam put it around my neck the day he asked me to move in with him. It was almost two weeks after his surgery.
I ate a bite of chocolate cake before I opened the locket to find two pictures.
The one on the right is of me.
Liam must have taken it when I didn’t realize it. I’m looking forward in it, but my eyes were fixed on something to the left of the camera.
The image on the left is of Liam.
Short hair, a rugged jawline, and those beautiful blue eyes of his.
I’ve stared at the images for hours on end.
This is the locket that was always meant to hang around my neck. It will always stay there.
