20. Liam

20

LIAM

W hen I went on my run this morning, I fully intended on working out the last bits of my desire for Marley but when I got five miles in I came to a complete stop as something Max said finally sunk in. This whole thing isn’t up to me. I need to find out what Marley wants, if anything, and try to understand at least how she feels.

I figured I’d make us dinner, we could talk a bit more, and see what happens—kissing, no kissing, more than kissing . I made a promise that I’d let her lead. But the second I saw her in the kitchen, all of that went out the window.

It felt like a magnet in my chest pulled me right to her and I still don’t remember making the decision to kiss her again. In fact, I don’t think anything could have stopped me short of a chasm opening up and swallowing us whole.

Once I had her in my hands again, my body singing from head to toe, her gorgeous peridot eyes blinking up at me, I knew the truth.

I’m already in too deep.

I sigh at my desk at work and run my hands down my face. The way my heart picks up pace at the thought of her smile, the way my thoughts turn to her every few minutes. I’ve felt it before though never this strong and it all means I’m in trouble.

There’s no stopping to find out if I should jump in or not. I’m already in. Neck deep in my infatuation with Marley. With her sassy comebacks, the confident way she sets out to an impossible job every morning, the sweet way she nuzzles Stephen’s forehead when they’re cuddling on the couch.

I’ve tried so hard to convince myself I didn’t care that now that I take stock of how I really feel, I realize how far behind my brain is behind my heart.

And that just leaves one thing. Dinner.

She loved the pasta dish I made a week ago, so I write out a shopping list for something similar but a little extra special.

“Whatchya doing?” Gus asks, scaring the absolute shit out of me.

I can tell by the lift of her brow and the crook of her smile that she knows she caught me doing something related to Marley.

“Just writing up a shopping list,” I lie, even though I know I’ll tell her the truth eventually. I could set a five-minute timer and Gus would get it out of me with time to spare.

She settles on the edge of the chair across from me and props her elbows on the desk. “No one smiles at a shopping list like that. Spill it.”

Figuring I could end the conversation earlier if I just get it out, I let out a heavy breath and sit back in my chair. “I’m making dinner for Marley tonight.”

Gus’ eyes flare with excitement and a tiny squeak comes out of her mouth. “Like a date?”

I lift a shoulder. “Kind-of. I just told her I was making dinner and I’d like her to join me. I left it kind of open.”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course you did. Word of advice: in the future, make it clear that it’s a date, or you’ll both just obsess about it all day. Not a fun place to be.”

I nod in concession. “I’m making my chicken alfredo.”

“Perfect,” Gus coos. “What else?”

“That’s where I’m stumped,” I admit. Usually, I’m a one-dish guy. No sides, no extra work. But I want this to be perfect for Marley.

“Easy,” Gus tosses out. “Some sort of fancy bread with an oil, parmesan, and herb dip. Some grilled seasoned vegetables. Dessert. And wine.”

I make a face on the wine part. I hate wine. Everyone knows it. I’m a beer guy through and through. “What about the cider? She liked that.”

Gus purses her lips but gives in. “Okay, but only because I know it would physically hurt you to buy wine.”

“Then what for dessert?”

“Something store-bought is fine. Look in the bakery at the grocery store for cheesecake. Maybe a caramel flavor to go with the cider.”

I jot all of her recommendations down as if she were a professor giving all the answers to an upcoming test.

“Grab some fresh flowers and Liam…”

I look up from my notes.

“Try to relax about the dishes once dinner is over, especially if the vibe is good. Everything can be cleaned up later. It will be cleaned up later. Okay?”

My gut takes a hit. Not because she’s wrong, but because she’s right. If I’m not careful, the part of me that sucks the fun right out of situations will take over and she’ll be heading to her room for the night while I’m elbow-deep in dish water. “I’ll try.”

Gus smiles. “Good. Try to relax. Have a good time. And make sure you grab some condoms, just in case.”

I blush. I actually fucking blush. I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I haven’t used any in so long that it’s already on my list or the fact that my future sister-in-law is mentally taking us to home base. “Covered that,” I answer awkwardly.

“Good.” She pushes up out of the chair. “All right. Have fun, don’t hang around here too long. And just relax. She’s put up with you for more than two weeks already. She knows about your quirks and habits. Don’t let any of it get in your head.”

I raise a brow at her expert summation of exactly where my mind would go. “Are you psychic?”

She smiles. “No, just observant. And I’ve spent my entire life as a member of the gender always required to suppress our more unique side. I learned from experience it goes nowhere but south.”

I nod and watch her leave my office, wondering at how lucky we are that she came into our brewery a week before it opened. Without her, I don’t know if Redpoint or Max would have made it past opening week.

And if I’m smart, I’ll take her advice.

Smart, it is.