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“So which way is Trafalgar?” she asked.
He pointed to the street in the opposite direction of Big Ben. “That way. But don’t you want to see a better view of Big Ben first?”
Not realizing there was a better view, Claire instantly agreed. She didn’t think she could ever be tired of seeing the structure.
As they made their way back up along the Thames, Claire raised a finger. “Oh, let me know how much the sausage-bean-cheesy-melty thing was so I can pay you for it.”
He shook his head. “It’s no trouble.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, furrowing her brow.
He nodded, but Claire wasn’t about to agree. Instead, she pulled out one of the buns from her extra grocery bag and extended it to him. “Fine. Take this as payment then.”
He was about to protest when she thrusted it toward him. “I bought another one for me, too.”
Finally, he accepted the bun, and together, they removed their cupcakes from the wrappers and enjoyed them as they walked.
Claire took the nickel-sized Santa head ring off of the bun first, then took a bite through the red, white, and green sprinkles. Instantly, the sweetness infused her tastebuds, and she smiled.
“Alright,” she said after swallowing, “I’m officially a Greggs convert.”
“Glad to have you join.”
“Although I think they should definitely consider giving up selling those sandwiches.”
His eyes shone in response.
As they passed by more crowds of tourists and traversed down Westminster Bridge, Claire realized that once again, Liam was right. This view was better. They stopped midway across the bridge and turned around to see the Houses of Parliament stretched out behind the clock tower, Big Ben leading the way forward like a stalwart officer.
She pulled out her phone and snapped a few pictures before glancing to Liam, the wind biting at her exposed fingertips. Would he ever turn away long enough for her to take a quick selfie?
Instead of turning away, however, he faced her with an outstretched hand. “Alright, let’s see your phone.”
She eyed him. “Why?”
“Because I’ve seen you take about a hundred selfies today, and you deserve at least one photo with the whole of a building inside of it.”
Claire’s lips parted. Well, that was just great. So much for being sneaky—and so much for not embarrassing herself again.
He wiggled his fingers for her phone once more, and she awkwardly relented before taking a few steps back toward the wall of the bridge.
Liam backed up a few paces, as well, turning the phone on its side.
Claire wasn’t sure why she suddenly couldn’t remember how to smile naturally. Could it have something to do with the fact that Liam’s eyes were focused solely on her?
“There,” he said, looking at the phone. “That one ought to work.”
Claire took a step toward him, glad she’d gotten that over with before a short, middle-aged woman came up to Liam with a warm grin.
“Would you two like one together?” she asked, her knitted cap hanging halfway off her head.
Claire froze as Liam’s glance skirted from her back to the woman. “Oh, no thank you.”
But the woman held out her hand for the phone. “Come on, then. You’ll regret not having one together with such a lovely girlfriend.”
“Oh, she’s not my…” Liam stammered. “We’re not…”
Claire watched him become more and more flustered. Well, this was new.
