19. Marley

19

MARLEY

I sway slightly as I pour my coffee into my mug the next morning. I’m exhausted from work, yes, but mostly from staring at the ceiling all night waiting to hear Liam come in the front door. And then, after that, I fantasize about him coming into my room and running those strong hands of his all over my body.

“Shit,” I mutter as my fantasy takes ahold again, and I spill coffee on the counter. I’m already running late and I don’t want Fin waiting on the sidewalk in her Gucci shoes.

Just as I’m wiping up the mess, the front door opens and I see Liam with my own eyes for the first time in days.

My breath catches. Even after what I imagine is a punishing run, he looks incredible. His hair is a mess, and his cheeks are red from the cold air. It makes his blue eyes feel like lasers when then land on me with a little bit of surprise. “Marley.” Is all he says.

“Running behind,” I say, screwing the cap onto my travel mug with the intention of scooting around him and making myself scarce as soon as possible so he doesn’t have to be troubled by my presence.

But when I try, he reaches out and catches me by the hip. My breath stops along with the rest of the world as his fingers seem to grip me like he’s afraid of losing me. He doesn’t pull me close—I imagine because he’s covered in sweat—but his eyes sweep my face in a way that makes my stomach tighten. I can feel the need in him, the same need I’ve been fighting for the last three days and I nearly drop my coffee mug when he spreads the fingers of his other hand against my cheek.

He gazes at me for a moment, his eyes falling to my lips, and just as I’m about to say something—I don’t know what—he kisses me. Deep and desperate, but quick and when he pulls away, I have to grip the counter to keep from losing my balance. My breath is so shallow, I feel like I’m the one who just ran a marathon.

He flashes a small, sexy smile and I think I might have stood there for an eternity gazing at him if he didn’t tuck my hair behind my ear and say, “You should go to work.”

I nod but don’t move. I’m afraid this moment will end and I’ll go another three days without seeing him.

“I uh,” he runs a hand through his hair. “I’m thinking of making dinner tonight if you’d want to join me.”

I feel my mouth open in surprise or disbelief, I’m not sure. Is this like a date? Is this meaningful? It feels meaningful… “Uh yeah,” I manage to get out after far too long. “That would be nice.”

He grins and steps to the side. “You really should get to work.”

“Right,” I answer, still not moving. My brain feels empty yet electrified all at the same time—as if all my synapses are firing at the same time, overloading the motherboard. “Work.”

Eventually the wires connect and I remember that I was in a hurry. “See you tonight.”

Still grinning, he nods. “See you tonight, Marley.”

I leave the apartment feeling weightless.

I groan when I see Fin waiting patiently for me at the door of the Post. This was what I was trying to avoid, but I do notice that she’s toned down the height of her heels. Instead of the knee-length dress she had on the day before, she’s wearing a gorgeous pair of wool slacks that look impossibly chic and much better suited to a day of sorting old paper on a printing room floor.

She brightens when she sees me and gives a little wave. “Good morning, Marley.”

I can’t help but smile back, even though my brain is probably only working, at best, on fifteen-percent power. Liam’s second kiss seems to have permanently crossed some wires. “Good morning, Fin. How are you?”

“Ready to work,” she says, shifting her purse—this time a rich navy velvet that matches her slacks—to her other hand. “I found some of the most interesting old articles about Paintbrush yesterday,” she gushes as I turn the key in the lock. “I was wondering if I could start to make a collection, maybe we could do a section in the paper each week highlighting the town’s history.”

My mind starts to fire up immediately. “I think that would be perfect,” I answer honestly.

“Really?” She asks as we shuffle inside.

“Absolutely. Pull anything you think might make a good feature and make a file. It can be your baby.”

Fin’s eyes brighten and I can see that she really feels passionate about this project. All the worries I had about having to babysit her vanish into thin air and I learn a little lesson about not judging a book by its designer cover. “Thank you. I really appreciate the opportunity.”

“Well, it’s a great idea,” I assure her. “So, thank you .”

She grins and takes off her waist-length peacoat before scanning me with her eyes. “You look different this morning,” she mentions, narrowing her eyes as if it will help her see the change. “Your skin is all glowy.” She leans in with a conspiratorial gleam in her eye. “Want to tell me about it?”

I can feel the heat climb my neck and settle into my cheeks. “I don’t know what you mean,” I lie as my flesh settles into a happy burn. Just the thought of Liam kissing me brings a smile to my lips and Fin squeals.

“You little liar.” She puts her hands on her hips. “Well, whoever put that red in your cheeks, I’m happy for you both. And you can talk to me about it if you ever want to.”

I can’t help but smile now. “Thank you.” And even though Fin is ten-plus years my junior, I almost spill the fact that I think we have a date tonight. Or dinner. Or just a typical night at home. But the point is, Liam made it clear that this time, we were going to see each other.

And that is enough to keep the smile on my face for the rest of the day.