Beth and Paige walked in, seeing our wrestling and hearing our conversation.
“Well, this I gotta hear,” Paige said with a grin.
I released Ronan with a smirk. “Happy to fill you in.”
Ronan groaned, and Beth slipped her arm around his waist, laughing.
“Can’t wait to hear it either.”
I grinned. He’d think twice about interrupting me again.
Chapter Five
Paige
I stepped from the shower, wiping the condensation off the mirror. I studied my face as I brushed my teeth, wondering what had attracted Liam.
I wasn’t ugly. I wasn’t beautiful either. I was just—me. Dark hair, blue eyes, nothing special. I was taller than Beth, but below average in height. I leaned toward the healthier side of curvy rather than skinny. I had a scar above my right eyebrow from falling and hitting my head when I was a child. My ears were lopsided, so I usually wore my hair down, although Beth laughed when I told her that and said the only one who ever noticed was me. She was probably right, but still, I did it.
I padded into my bedroom, noting it was still early. The kids wouldn’t be up for another hour or so, and Liam wasn’t arriving until nine.
Liam.
Despite the teasing with Beth about a single brother for me, he was unexpected. Larger-than-life. The moment I’d opened the door and our eyes met, something had shifted in my world. When his hand touched mine, I felt grounded—steady. Safe. His sheer size was enough to boggle my mind. He towered over me, filled the doorway, and crowded me as he went past. Yet, somehow, I wanted closer. He told me that his size often frightened people, but I hadn’t been scared at all. In fact, if anyone took the time to look closer, to look into his eyes, they would know they had nothing to fear. His gaze was warm and gentle. His voice low and kind. And when he looked at me? I felt a tingle simply recalling the flare of desire I had felt and the way his expression returned it.
He was amazing with the kids. Lucy adored him as much as she adored Ronan. Maybe more, as if sensing a different sort of relationship with him. It was astonishing how much she resembled him with her coloring. The dark hair and hazel eyes matched his. I had always thought she looked like me with her facial features. I had searched more than once, seeing only echoes of Alan in her. The turn of her mouth when displeased, the small ears that hugged her head and were perfectly symmetrical. But he had sandy-colored hair and hazel eyes—although his had been flat, not vibrant like Lucy’s. He was tall and slim. She had none of those similarities, and thank God, none of his exacting, critical personality. She was my little sunshine, loved everyone, and woke with a smile every day. She was the thing that had kept me going since Alan walked away. She gave me the strength to push forward.
Everything about Liam was the direct opposite of Alan. He exuded warmth and care. He was open with his feelings and expressed them easily. He made no secret of his feelings toward me.
Last night, after pizza, the kids crashed early after their full day. Liam and Ronan had left with promises of returning in the morning not long after the kids fell asleep. We said our goodbyes in separate rooms for privacy. Liam had pulled me into his arms.
“Go to bed and get some rest,” he murmured. “Don’t be sitting up all night talking to Beth about how amazing I am,” he teased.
I slapped his chest. “I was going to tell her you were bossy. High-handed.”
He chuckled. “When it comes to you, I am.” He pressed a kiss to my mouth that was far too short for my liking. I tried to lengthen it, but he shook his head. “None of that, Sweet Pea, or I won’t be leaving.”
“Sweet Pea?”
He smiled and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. “You smell like a garden of flowers. There’s one note stronger than the others. It reminds me of one of my favorite flowers.”
“Sweet peas?” I guessed.
He nodded. “You got it. And it suits you.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a nickname before.”
He kissed me again, this time a little longer and a little harder. “You’ll find lots of firsts with me. I promise you that.”
Then he left, and, surprisingly, Beth and I did go to bed. We were both exhausted.
I shook my head to clear my musings and dressed with care. Meeting his family today, even as Beth’s friend, was nerve-racking. I picked a pretty sundress I got on sale last year, sliding it over my head. It was summery and light, scattered with flowers on a soft blue background, and I rarely had an opportunity to wear it. I added a short-sleeved sweater in case I got chilly and headed to the kitchen to get coffee. I was going to need it today.
Liam arrived before Ronan, bringing with him his smile and calmness. He poured himself a cup of coffee, bounced Lucy on his knee, and listened to Evan talk about an idea he had for a Lego building.
“I think my mom was going to pull out all the kits she had of ours. Maybe we can build something while we’re there,” he told Evan, who grinned widely.
“Awesome.” He stood and headed to his room to get ready.
Beth stood, looking pretty in a soft green dress. Her hair was a mass of corkscrew curls around her face, and she smiled, although I knew she was nervous. She held out her hand to Lucy.
“Come on, Lucy-loo. I’ll help you get dressed.”
“I want to wear my pink dress.”
Beth met my gaze with a wink. “Which one?”
“With the flowers.”
“Okay. One pink dress with the flowers, as soon as you brush your teeth.”
Lucy looked up at Liam. “You stay, right?”
He nodded. “I’ll be right here.”
She slid from his lap and took Beth’s hand. “Otay!”
“You want me to find her swimsuit?” Beth asked.
“I packed it and Evan’s in a bag.”
“You girls should bring yours too. The pool is great at the Hub. Warm.”
“Maybe next time,” Beth murmured. “We’ll watch the kids today.”
She left, and Liam shifted closer, closing his hand over mine on the table. “Hey.”
I smiled at him. “Hi.”
He leaned in, brushing his mouth over my lips. “Hi.” He ran his nose over mine affectionately. “There’s no need to be nervous. My family is great.”
“I know. It’s a big deal for Beth today. I want it to go well for her. She adores Ronan, so she wants to make a good impression. Me too, I guess, so they think we’re okay.”
“Hey.” He slid his hand under my chin, making me look at him. “You’re more than okay. You’re perfect. They’re going to love you, and Lucy, too.”
My nerves got the better of me. “It’s not as important, though, but I don’t want to embarrass you or Beth.”
He stood, frowning, and tugged my hand, leading me to my bedroom. He shut the door behind us and turned to look at me.
“Today is just as important for me.” He drew in a deep breath. “I know you’re going as Beth’s friend, Paige, but you’re also going as my date. I’m introducing you and Lucy to my family as mine. Both of you.”
I felt my eyes widen. “Wh-what?”