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Liam clenched his jaw. Garrett had never revealed any hesitation about leaving his family during any holiday or celebration. The man was a workhorse.

But Liam…he wasn’t.

Turning to Claire, he held up a finger to signify that he wouldn’t be much longer, but she wasn’t there. He frowned, looking down the park as her pink coat retreated into the darkness.

He winced. Had she simply lost patience? Or was she walking away because she’d lost the heart to fight for a relationship?

Without caring if his boss overheard, Liam moved his phone away from his lips and sped toward her. “Claire, wait!”

She turned to face him, though she continued her retreat backwards with a shake of her head.

“Please,” he said, “I just need one minute.”

“Liam?” Garrett questioned.

Claire gave him a wary look, but she remained where she stood.

“Liam!”

“I’m here,” he finally responded.

“Well you shouldn’t be there. You should be on your way already.”

Liam stared down at Claire, the light from the nearby streetlamp cascading down her blonde waves, her blue eyes averted from his once again.

He couldn’t leave her right now. They needed to finish this conversation. He needed to finish the conversation.

“I can make it in a few hours,” he responded.

Garrett scoffed across the line. “No, you need to be here now.”

Liam gritted his teeth. If the choice was between going to work that evening and putting Claire first—apparently the only person in her life to do so—he already knew what he was going to do. “I’m sorry. But I can’t do that tonight, Garrett.”

Claire’s eyes whipped toward Liam, wide with shock, pouring fuel on his courage.

“You can’t?” Garrett stated incredulously.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Liam’s heart raced, heat flushing through his body despite the cold, winter air.

“Well I’m sorry to hear that,” Garrett said, though not an ounce of sorrow painted his tone. “Because either you make it in the next half hour, or we will find someone else to fill your position.”

Shock jolted through Liam’s body, an icy chill replacing the heat and sliding down his spine. Garrett had threatened him in this way before, and Liam had always buckled under the pressure for fear of losing his job.

But now, as he stared down at Claire, her eyes connecting with his, his fear melted away and a clarity he’d never before known settled in his mind. If he went into work that night, he would be allowing his life to be run by someone who didn’t value him—who didn’t want him to be happy.

On the other hand, if he remained home, yes, he would lose that job, but how much more would he be gaining in return? A life? A chance at freedom? An opportunity to pursue photography professionally?

Claire?

“Liam, I need your answer now,” Garrett barked across the line.

With a stalwart gaze, Liam stared down at Claire. “I’m sorry, Garrett. But I will not be coming in today.”

Claire stared up at him, unmoving as shock flashed across her features.

“You’re telling me that you’re seriously going to consider throwing away the last eight years of your life?” Garrett asked.