——————————–
As we pulled into the driveway, Liam stood on the front porch, looking down at his watch. Even from the car, his worried expression was obvious.
I climbed out, checking the time on my phone.
“We made it back right at curfew,” I said. “Please don’t ground me,” I teased.
“One minute past curfew, actually,” he said, a smile tugging at his mouth. “So yes, you are, in fact, grounded.”
“Are you gonna cuff me to the bed?” I winked, knowing everyone could hear us, and his cheeks turned pink.
He ignored me, just as I expected he would, and hopped off the porch to grab the grocery bags from Ellie’s trunk.
“Where’s the air mattress?” he asked, scanning our purchases.
“They were sold out,” I said, shrugging.
Ellie and Cassie glanced at me with matching smirks, knowing good and well the store had plenty in stock. I was a big, fat liar, and I could repent for my sins later… after I committed a couple more.
“Oh,” Liam said, the reality of what that meant showing on his face.
I walked off nonchalantly as if it didn’t mean anything at all.
As Liam set the grocery bags on the counter, everyone said their goodbyes and left. He pulled out the contents of one bag stuffed full of my pregnancy cravings.
“Pickles,” he said, holding up the jar. “Sour gummy worms, deli sushi, Oreos, and Hot Cheetos,” he continued, pulling each item out one by one.
“I have no self-control, and I’m willing to admit that,” I said, giving him a sheepish smile.
He shook his head, a small grin tugging at his lips. “You’re growing an entire human, Molls. I think you’re allowed to eat whatever you want.”
“I’m about to be in the third trimester in a few more weeks. I’ve heard that one’s the hardest of them all.”
“How so?”
“Back pain, getting up to pee twelve times a night, waddling everywhere I go—stuff like that.”
“Well,” Liam said, nonchalantly, “until we figure out who’s trying to get to you, I’ll be here to help with anything you need. And I don’t want you picking up any of these heavy boxes we moved in here today. If you need one moved to a specific room, just tell me and I’ll do it.”
His kindness only made everything between us more confusing.
Why did I kiss him goodnight? Why did he kiss me on the dance floor? Why did I lie about the air mattress?
Who was I kidding? I knew exactly why. I wanted a reason for the man standing in front of me to lie next to me at night, to pull me in and hold me close.
Actually, I wanted him to do way more than that.
But part of me felt like I was backing Liam into a corner—again. The last time I did, he froze like a deer in headlights and ran for the hills.
I was an overly hormonal pregnant woman who needed to get her urges under control—before they left her heartbroken all over again.
Our kisses meant nothing. They were just playful banter. I had to convince myself of that before I got my heart broken in both my old house and this one.
“So, about the sleeping arrangement,” Liam started, “I think it would be best if I slept on the couch tonight. I can handle it, I promise. I’ve slept on way worse during my time overseas. I can drive into Great Falls tomorrow and find a new air mattress—one that won’t pop as soon as I lie down on it,” he added with a laugh, clearly remembering yesterday.
Disappointment seeped through my body, but I couldn’t let it show.
“No, I agree. I think it’s what’s best,” I said, even though every bone in my body told me to disagree with him. “I’m gonna go shower and get ready for bed,” I said, making sure to grab a couple of the snacks I’d purchased so I could get a snack in before bedtime.
