Nicky turned from where she was standing on the sidewalk with the guys from Liam’s station, and her eyes nearly bugged out of her head as they bounced between Liam and me and our clasped hands. She ran over to meet us, practically vibrating with excitement. I’d talked to her and Juliette, of course, but this was the first time we’d seen each other since I’d been with him.
She wrapped her arms around me and held on tight, forcing Liam and me to release hands. “You’re happy,” she said.
“So happy,” I responded, even though it wasn’t a question.
“And you’re together.”
“Yes.”
Liam chuckled under his breath and continued the remaining few steps to his buddies, leaving me with Nicky.
She let out a squeak and hugged me tighter. “I’m so happy for you!”
“I’m happy, too. Really happy.”
“You need to tell me everything!”
“I will, but not here. Girls’ night tomorrow?” Liam was working, and it would be Juliette’s first night with Dylan back at work.
“Absolutely!”
I caught Liam watching me just like he said he would. He held my gaze as Nicky and I walked over to where he was standing with Ryan, Brady, Ethan, and Cole.
He put his arm around my shoulder, but just rested it gently there and didn’t tuck me against his side the way I’d already grown accustomed to. The way I loved. So I did it. I grabbed his fingers and wrapped my arm around him, closing the distance until my cheek rested on that perfect little nook where his chest met his shoulder. I looked up to see the sweetest smile on his lips. He tightened his arm around me and searched my face, a question in his eyes before he touched his lips to mine, a mere brush, but it spoke volumes. It spoke of affection andclaiming and caring and consent and boundaries and want and understanding, and God, he was amazing.
From the comfort of Liam’s side, I greeted the rest of the crew.
“Happy for you two,” Ethan said, and the rest echoed the sentiment.
“Hey, guys,” Moose said as he and the rest of the men and women from Station 7 came over. I said hi to the guys and hugged the girls. I’d gotten to know them all in the hospital when Dylan was injured and Juliette went missing. Their station was near Liam’s so they all worked together a lot, and they were the ones Juliette went to when Dylan was in the fire. Penelope and the other women had been so supportive of Juliette after that mess, which endeared them to me as well. Nicky and I did our best, but we couldn’t empathize with the worries of being with a firefighter the way they could.
A chill went through me. Would I be able to handle Liam being in danger? I hated it, but it didn’t lessen my interest in him.
“You good?” he whispered near my ear.
“Yes.” I smiled, and his eyes softened as he smiled back.
He wrapped his arm around me again. This time he tucked me into his side, and I knew it was because I’d given him the okay last time. I melted into him a little more.
“Is Beth here?” I asked Sledge, one of the firefighters from Station 7.
“No, she’s home, probably hacking into some secret files. This would be a lot for her.”
“I don’t blame her. It is a lot.” His wife, Beth, had agoraphobia. From what I’d heard, she’d come a long way, and while I knew it was still hard for her, I was impressed with how well she handled it, including knowing and respecting her limits. She was also a computer genius and had used her skills to helpJuliette and Dylan, so she’d always be special to me. “Tell her I said hello.”
A cheer went up from the crowd, and I turned to see Juliette and Dylan walking through the parking lot. I laughed as Juliette practically skipped over to us, dragging Dylan with her. Liam released me into Juliette’s arms, and she hugged me and squealed.
“Shh,” I whispered.
“I knew it. He’s perfect for you,” she whispered back.
“It’s barely been a week. Chill.”
“You know I’m right,” Juliette said, undeterred.
“Go celebrate your man.” I gently pushed her toward Dylan and smiled as they worked their way around to greet everyone. Juliette hugged most people and shook hands with a few. It made me so happy to see the way she was thriving with Dylan. Just a year ago, she would’ve dreaded this. I knew she was still uneasy, but she handled it like a champ now.
Liam tipped his head down and whispered, his breath tickling my ear, sending tendrils of heat through my body. “I agree with Juliette.”