And I do.
“Walk me to the elevator?”
I back away from him and take his hand because if I stand here like this any longer, I might not let go.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says with one last kiss.
“Bye.” I lift my hand as the door closes, then touch my mouth.
This feels like the beginning of something real.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-EIGHT
Liam
I didn’t think it was possible to feel so much in such a short period of time. But over the last few weeks, something shifted. It wasn’t dramatic or even all at once. But it’s becoming something … steady. Like puzzle pieces finally coming together that should have been there the whole time.
We’re building our own routine. Pancake breakfasts. Midweek park visits. And bedtime stories when I can make it.
Alie and I are falling into an easy rhythm too. We see each other at the complex, eat lunch with Sera, and text when we’re not together. And we linger long after Sera is sleeping. Being inside of Alie is becoming a favorite part of my day, but I haven’t spent the night yet.
But then she invites me to go to her parents’ house in the Hamptons, just the three of us. This means I get to stay with my girls overnight. For two whole nights.
The house is like something you see in a magazine. White siding, big wraparound porch, flowers everywhere, a pool, and tennis courts. And I can see the beach when we pull into thecircular driveway. The ocean air blowing into the car windows is salty and a little cool in the summer heat.
Sera practically vibrates in her seat the minute she sees the water.
“Beach!” she shrieks.
I get out of the car first and open the back door, and Sera’s little arms are up, waiting for me to get her out.
Alie laughs as I unbuckle her. “Be careful!”
I scoop Sera into my arms, and she points to the shoreline. “Go, Daddy!”
I can’t help but laugh as I run toward the beach with my daughter in my arms, giggling.
Alie follows behind us, shaking her head but smiling.
The ocean is restless and loud, waves crashing against the shore in a steady rhythm.
Sera insists on being set down so she can run toward the water.
“Wait—” Alie starts.
But I’ve already got her hand.
“We’ll stay in the shallow area,” I promise.
Sera squeals when the cold water hits her toes.
“Cold!”
“Yeah.” I laugh. “That’s the Atlantic for you.”
I take both of her hands and lift her when bigger waves reach us. She throws her head back and laughs every time I lift her.
