Chapter 61

sixty-one

PAUL

I did the last button up on the floral shirt I was wearing.

"You look pretty," Amy said. "One day I want to have a flower shirt like yours."

"You're as cute as a button, even without a floral shirt." I'd chosen the colorful shirt because it made me feel confident. And, tonight, more than any other night, I wanted to look and feel my best.

Alex and Dylan were holding their engagement party at Alex's house. Yesterday, I'd taken Jonathon's advice and invited Liam to the party.

Amy looked through the bedroom window. "When will Liam be here?"

"He shouldn't be too much longer. Do you want me to braid your hair before we go?"

"No, thanks." Amy hugged Dolly to her chest. She hadn't let the rag doll out of her sight since she'd arrived home.

"Let's wait for Liam in the living room."

Amy didn't need any extra encouragement. She ran into the hallway and headed toward the front of the house .

Jonathon's home was perfect. And, best of all, it had a huge garage. When I had our lives a little more organized, I'd fly to Milwaukee and arrange to have some of our furniture and belongings shipped to Sunrise Bay. What didn't fit in the house could easily be stored in the garage.

"He's here!" Amy slid off the sofa and skipped into the entryway.

"Stay on the veranda," I warned. "The concrete path is slippery."

"Okay," Amy yelled from the front door.

While Amy waited for Liam, I tidied the living room. There wasn't too much mess, but it gave me something to do.

The squeal of delight coming from outside told me that Liam wasn't far away. All I had to do was act like a mature, sensible adult. Regardless of what Jonathon had said, I'd taken more than my fair share of risks. And tonight would be the biggest one yet.

I picked up my jacket and turned around.

Liam stood in the doorway.

I froze. He was wearing a suit. A charcoal gray suit with a white shirt and red tie. Even his shoes were polished and shiny.

He looked at his chest. "Have I spilled something?"

"No. I've only seen you in a suit once before. You're very handsome."

If I hadn't been paying attention to his clean-shaven face, I would have missed the blush spreading along his cheeks.

"Thanks. You look great, too."

Amy squeezed between Liam and the doorframe. "Are we going now? Uncle Alex said we're having ice cream sundaes for dessert. And Dylan bought a special chocolate sauce that crackles when you bite into it."

I smiled at Liam. "It sounds as though it'll be a night to remember."

He held out his arm to me and his hand to Amy. "With the prettiest girl and most handsome man in Colorado beside me, it can't be anything else."