Chapter 18

Emilia

Liam kissed me last night. Well my forehead, but my mind went wild. Between that action and him calling me his girl, all hope of me getting rid of this crush went out the window. There was also something about the action that made me wonder if this was truly platonic for him. Between the pizza, carrying me to bed and the press of his lips to my skin it just felt like he could also, maybe, potentially see something more with me too. I've been way too scared to risk his friendship to tell him anything and I still am so all I can do is wait and hope he makes a move. Which is incredibly childish of me, I'm aware, but having him as a friend has truly changed my life for the better and that's not something I'm quite ready to ruin.

Rolling over, I grab my phone to check the time, instead I'm greeted with a text from Liam saying he's going to be at my apartment in an hour and to be ready. I shoot out of bed taking the world"s fastest shower and then attempting to get ready. Getting ready when you don't know what for, turns out to be incredibly difficult. I manage to find an outfit that reads both casual and cute, a pair of light wash mom jeans paired with a brown belt and cream sweater. Just as I finish applying some mascara there's a knock at the door causing my heart to race. I take a few deep breaths, it's just Liam no need to freak out.

Opening the door my breath is nearly knocked out of me, maybe there is a reason to freak out. The outfit Liam has on is totally different from the athletic gear I usually see him in. As the months turned into fall his athletic shorts were replaced with sweatpants but the vibe remained the same. Today however, he's dressed in jeans, boots, a black top layered with a green shirt-jacket that makes his eyes pop. He's hands down the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on.

"I come bearing gifts." Liam holds up a box of pastries snapping me out of my haze.

"Come in." Moving out of the doorway and into the kitchen, he sets the box of pastries on the counter. "What's all this?" I'm already prying the box open, revealing a few different croissants and pastries.

"Fuel." He states simply, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. He pulls out a barstool for me to sit and then round the corner into the kitchen to grab some plates.

"Fuel for what exactly?"

"Apple picking." I don't miss the smirk that spreads across his face.

"What?" My head jerks up, eyes meeting his across the kitchen.

"You said you wanted to go apple picking. So, I want to take you apple picking."

"Liam…"

"Do I smell pastries?" I'm cut off by Rosie emerging from her room and sauntering over to the kitchen island.

"You do. Almond croissant just for you." He points to Rosie's favorite type of croissant in the box.

"I knew I liked you Liam." She ruffles his hair before grabbing her croissant from the box. I send him a questioning look wondering how he knew her favorite.

"I listen, Emi. You were telling me a few study sessions ago about how you think Ro's crazy because she always wants an almond croissant from The Blue Bean when chocolate is clearly superior."

"Hey." Rosie fake scoffs, between bites of her croissant. We all laugh, falling into comfortable conversation while we fuel up for the day.

∞∞∞

Liam

Seeing Emi's smile as we stroll through the apple orchard is worth everything. I may or may not have cut out of Sunday practice early, faking a family event. Coach wasn't pleased and I saw the questioning look on James' face as I left but I didn't reveal anything to them. Being here with her is better than any baseball practice could ever be.

After I left her apartment last night I couldn't sleep. ‘Fine' is how she described her date with James and that made me exceptionally happy as well as irrationally angry. She deserves better than fine. My mind has been like a ping pong ball recently. Deciding if the risk is worth it. It would be worth it, I know that, but only if she feels the same way. There's glimpses of times where I think she does but if I'm wrong and I lose her? I don't know if I want to live in a world where I don't at least have her friendship.

As we walk through the orchard, I carry the bag we bought at the entrance as she plucks different varieties of apples off the trees.

"I used to love apple picking. My grandparents would always take me and then we'd make all these different apple dishes." She places a few honey crisps into the bag. I love it when she shares these small details about her life with me. Learning about her, about how she grew up, why she is who she is, is my favorite hobby.

"We used to go every fall too but my mom always said the best apples were at the top."

"Really?" Emi looks up at me and then up at the trees. "How did she get them?"

"Like this." I bend down into a squat.

"What are you doing?"

"C'mon get on." I place the bag on the ground, patting my shoulders.

"You're crazy." A breathy laugh escapes her but she still slides one leg over my left shoulder, I grab it securely before helping her swing the right one. With a good grip I grab our bag and stand up which causes her to let out a little squeal, making me laugh. We walk down the tree lined aisles collecting as many different kinds of apples from as high as we can. Little kids wave up at her, looking thoroughly amused at two grown ups" antics. She waves back, tossing apples down to children with their hands out.

When our bag is overflowing I reluctantly crouch down to let Emi slide off. Hearing her giggles and feeling her excitement has made this the best afternoon I've had in a long time.