I clicked the button.
Liam braced his hands on the table on either side of me, caging me in, and kissed the top of my head. “So fucking proud.”
I savored it for a quick moment, then ran upstairs to pack. Thor raced up ahead and Liam followed behind. They settled on the bed, Liam looking like a model for a sexy firefighter calendar with our sweet, handsome dog next to him.
I stared into the closet, a mix of pants and skirts staring back at me.
“Choose whatever you want, Firefly.”
“Skirts because I’m not afraid to wear skirts? Or pants because I don’t need to prove that I’m not afraid?”
“What if it’s not about fear anymore? What if you just choose what you want to wear? Which would be more comfortable on the plane?”
It’s not about fear.Pants would be easier. I could move around in my seat without a skirt bunching or riding up. I put on a pair of loose black yoga pants and paired it with a pink T-shirt and a black zip-up because the plane could get cold. An outfit designed around my comfort, and nothing else. Then I grabbed a bunch of tops and a mix of skirts, leggings for underneath, sweatpants, and jeans, so every time I dressed, I’d have that choice. Because it wasmychoice.
Liam’s lips quirked, but he didn’t say anything.
He wasn’t wrong. I had enough clothes to change outfits every hour of the trip. But how else would I choose what I wanted to wear? I barely knew how I felt about it now. I had no idea how I’d feel later.
We rushed to finish getting ready, since I’d booked us the first flight we could realistically make, and dropped Liam’s spare key off with Nicky so she could take care of Thor. Now we were waiting at the airport, less than an hour from departure. Less than an hour from being on my way to say the things I’d dreaded saying for most of my life.
“I’ll be right back. I have to go to the bathroom.” I stood, but Liam grabbed my arm before I could take a single step.
He pulled me to stand between his legs, his other hand coming up to caress my face, careful to avoid my bruises. “I’m going with you,” he said, his eyes intense.
“Stay with our stuff. Listen for announcements. I’ll be right back.” I knew my voice didn’t sound as confident as I wanted it to, but this was the new me, right? I wasn’t afraid anymore.
“Firefly, I’m going to walk with you, and I’m going to wait outside the bathroom for you. It’s the gentlemanly thing to do. You don’t want to insult my chivalrous nature, do you?”
Once I was inside the stall, I listened as noises and voices blurred into an indecipherable din. So many people so close, and I couldn’t see them, couldn’t quite hear them. What if someone in here was planning something, or even working with someone else, informing him who was in the bathroom? If I got kidnapped and trafficked from an airport, I could end up anywhere in the world.
No, that was impossible. Well, not impossible, but unlikely. Still, I was glad Liam was waiting outside the bathroom. I finished up and squared my shoulders before opening the stall door. Just in case, I looked purposefully around the bathroom, noting the women walking in and out, the short line of people waiting, and the ones at the sinks. Aware of my surroundings.
I headed to the sink closest to the exit, closest to where Liam was. That’s what he’d say to do. I washed my hands, my heart pounding, and used the mirror to keep aware of what was around me. I let my attention drift briefly to my own reflection. I didn’t need to see the bruises to remember each one, but I looked anyway. They’d fade soon, but would this fear?
It’s only been a few days, I reminded myself.Give yourself grace.
My gaze was drawn to two girls about my age, fixing their hair and whispering furtively, their eyes flicking toward me. Myskin prickled, then rage took over as their words drifted to me. “...probably that big guy by the door…looked mean…”
How dare they! I glared at them, quickly drying my hands and hurrying out to defend Liam before they could get to him, but one girl grabbed the other’s arm and dragged her over to me.
“Wait,” she said. “Before you go?—”
I turned to fully face them and saw the moment they took in the full extent of my injuries. I held my ground. I didn’t have anything to hide, and I would not allow them to disparage Liam. “What?” I spit out.
“We just want to make sure you’re okay. Are you safe? Can we do anything to help?”
The pressure in my chest eased, everything in me softening. This is how it was supposed to be. “I’m good, thank you. The guy that did this is in jail, and that big, mean-looking guy waiting for me is the best there is. I’m safe.”
“Thank God,” one said.
“We’re glad you’re okay,” the other said.
“Me too. Thank you for asking.”
“Girls gotta stick together.”
“Sure do,” I agreed.