I grabbed the monitor and my notebook and walked through the foyer to greet an exhausted-looking Bridget. “Hard night?”
She gave me a look that told me she didn’t want to talk about it then lifted the monitor from my grasp. “Still asleep?”
“Yes, but probably not for much longer.” I smiled, feeling sympathetic toward the hardworking nurse and mom of three. “Do you need me to stay?”
Bridget smiled with appreciation. “I’ll be fine. Simon should be home soon too. I’ll scoop the girls up and put them in bed with me. Just be back tonight at five. We have a charity event downtown. We should only be gone for a few hours. Go enjoy your day.”
And that was exactly what I intended to do. After taking my laptop to the pool and writing a couple thousand words, I went inside, showered, and dressed for a walk down to my parents’ tearoom.
It felt like a normal day except I couldn’t get Liam off my mind—how he’d helped the girls to bed last night just so I wouldn’t have to wake up, the way he’d sat with me after I’d asked him to stay, the way he hadn’t held back answering questions—and somehow, I’d trusted that he would answer anything I asked, which was one of the reasons I’d stopped.
If Liam was willing to tell me the truth, then he definitely had nothing to hide. And from everything he had told me, it sounded like he’d gotten wrapped in a reality of the show’s making, not his own. Of course the producers were mad at him for leaving. He’d walked away from their show. The audience had become invested in the lives of these people and this love story that was never meant to last, but all the audience knew was that Liam had walked away and broken three women’s hearts in the process.
I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my notebook from my bed. I always loved stopping in the park and finding a tree to jot notes under before grabbing my tea. As I walked toward my front door, a fluttering sound caught my attention. I looked down to find a folded piece of paper floating to the floor.
That’s odd. I didn’t remember sticking anything in my notebook.
Bending over, I picked up the piece of paper and unfolded it. At first glance, I saw that it was a letter, then I saw the name, and my heart rate picked up instantly.
I didn’t even read the signature at the bottom before I knew exactly who had written the letter. As my eyes scanned the words, I squinted, wondering if I was going crazy or if Liam had just penned a proposition letter.
Dear Chelsea,
I know what you must think of me now that my secret is out, and I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I bloody loved that you saw me as someone other than the bloke my entire country has deemed unworthy of love. Maybe I am, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting you as desperately as I do.
Before you toss this letter in the rubbish bin, just hear me out.
Soon, I’ll need to return home to face the critics—the harsh reminder of the man they all believe me to be, the Forever Bachelor—and you’ll continue to live out your dreams here while nannying the twins. Simon and Bridget are so very lucky to have you.
All I ask is for one night with you, one night to remove the facade we’ve exhibited for the past two weeks to mask our true feelings.
Because I want you, Chelsea Banks, more than I’ve wanted any woman in my entire life, and I dare to imagine that you might just want me too. Even if just for one night.
Liam
By the time I walked back over to the manor to watch the kids, I had reread Liam’s letter a few dozen times. I told myself that my second shower of the day had nothing to do with wanting to smell fresh and clean for Liam and everything to do with the fact that I’d sweated a little from doing yoga earlier. The light makeup I wore was purely for the fact that I hadn’t worn any in weeks, and it felt good to brighten up a little. Also, the jean shorts and white tank top I’d thrown on had nothing to do with the outfits we’d both worn in downtown Providence the night of our kiss, the night I never should have let him walk out my door.
Simon was with the toddlers in the living room when I walked in the house. The girls were wrestling with their father while Bridget and Brendan laughed from the couch. It almost felt like I was interrupting when Bridget spotted me and waved me over.
“Come in,” she said. “We’re just about to go to dinner.”
I smiled and sat on the couch opposite her while I watched the twins squeal with laughter. “They’re the happiest two girls I’ve ever known.”
Bridget threw me a small smile. “I don’t know how we’d do any of it without you, but thank you. I like to think we all work pretty well together.”
The twins and I walked their parents to the door, where they received one last squeeze, while Brendan sat back on the couch with his Switch.
The moment the door shut, the girls turned to me and jumped. “Hide-and-seek, hide-and-seek.”
It was their favorite game, and I always hesitated to play with them without Brendan’s assist. I looked over my shoulder, catching his raised brows and understanding stare. He sighed and set his video game down. “Okay, fine, but only a couple of rounds. I told my friends I’d join ’em for a game later.”
I grinned, knowing he would cave. He would do anything for his sisters. “Thank you, Brendan. Okay, who’s first?”
We played the first round with me on the hunt and the twins hiding with Brendan. I ended up finding them all hiding in the kitchen pantry after a few minutes.
“Too easy,” I teased.
They hid again. This time, I found them under the guest bed down the corridor.
“Your turn, Chelsea,” the twins squealed.
I laughed and waited until they turned around so I could find the perfect hiding spot. I came to the end of the hallway as the pitter-patter of little and big feet grew louder. I reached for the door of a guest bedroom and pulled myself inside before shutting it quietly behind me. Looking around, I realized I’d never been inside the room before, but I didn’t have time to give myself a tour. I was running out of time.
I darted to a closed door in the room, assuming it was the closet, and dashed inside. As I shut it behind me, I realized the room wasn’t a closet at all. It was a bathroom, and as I turned around, I noticed something else. Steam was billowing in the air.
Panic rushed through me. Before I could make a mad dash to leave, a figure walked through the fog like a mirage. The next thing I knew, Liam was approaching me wearing nothing but a towel. Water dripped over his tattoos, and his eyes were bright and mesmerizing. I felt rooted in place as he leaned in, his arm lifting until his palm lay flat against the door.
Then he smiled. “Well, hello. Fancy meeting you here.”
My heart crashed against my rib cage. “What are you doing here?” I hissed, well aware that I was the one the children were supposed to find. The Hogue kids certainly couldn’t find me like this.
Liam’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “The basement guest room doesn’t have a shower, so I use this one. But I should be asking you that question, love. Is there a reason you decided to join me in the loo?”