Liam whispered in my ear, “If you want a drink, I can get you something directly from the bar. I’ll keep my eye on it.”
“No thanks.”
He nodded, but I knew he’d ask me about it later. The reason I didn’t drink when I was out was simple: I didn’t like feeling less in control of myself. It made me feel too exposed, too vulnerable.
The reason I’d wasted hundreds on barely touched drinks? That was more complicated. I didn’t want to drink, but part of me wanted to be the kind of person who did. The kind who wasn’t afraid.
I turned back to Juliette and Nicky to avoid more questions. “They’re going to start construction on the sensory room this week. Can you guys come to the library tomorrow to make sure there’s nothing else I need to add to the plans?”
“Sure. I’ll have plenty of time after work,” Juliette said with a sad smile, and Dylan kissed her forehead. So sweet.
“I have so many ideas,” Nicky said, almost as excited as me. “Will the room be dark enough to use a star projector?”
“Yes, there will be a lot of small, round windows, like on a space shuttle to stick with the theme. Those will be on the bottom half of the interior walls to provide easy visibility from the main children’s area for safety, and they said they can tint the windows, which should keep it dark enough to get the full effect.”
“Bubble tubes too?” Juliette said in her signature way of using just enough words to get her point across.
“Yes! I looked them up the other day, I love them.”
I was so excited. With Juliette and Nicky’s help this room would be a perfect space: a calming, engaging place for people with autism and sensory needs to enjoy. With their help, we were on our way to having the best sensory friendly library in the city.
Juliette, Nicky, and I kept talking about our plans for the library while the guys caught Dylan up with work and razzed him about picking up extra duties to make up for his time off. Throughout it all, I was constantly aware of the warmth of Liam’s leg against mine. I liked it. A lot. And I loved that he didn’t try to do anything more. Apparently, my leg and my core were directly linked, and even though Liam probably knew it with his spidey senses, he still didn’t do more.
“How’s the backyard coming along?” Dylan asked Liam.
“Good. It’ll be done pretty soon.”
“What did you—” Dylan cut off suddenly, and I looked up at Liam, realizing he’d not-so-subtly shushed him.
“What were you going to ask?” I coaxed Dylan, leaning in.
“What color he chose for the deck stain,” he deadpanned.
“No, you weren’t.”
Dylan looked at Liam, and Liam grinned at me, shrugging like he was so innocent.
“Fine, fine. I’ll wait patiently for my surprise.”
“Thank you, Firefly,” he said softly.
Juliette’s and Nicky’s jaws dropped in almost cartoonish expressions.
“Yeah, we’re definitely having a girls’ night tomorrow,” Nicky said. “We’ll meet you at the library, then we’re going out to talk.”
The food came, and we all continued talking about various plans, including a barbecue in Liam’s mysterious backyard.
Engrossed in our conversation, I was startled when I felt Liam stiffen. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure. Something’s going on with the cops.”
Sure enough, a lot of the men and a few women were on their phones, talking or texting. There was a buzz of energy around the room. Everyone at one of the tables, plus a few others scattered around the room dropped a few bills on the tables and left, distractedly saying goodbye on their way out.
“I’ll see what I can find out,” Liam said. Nicky stood to let him out, and he walked over to sit in one of the vacated seats. I shivered at the sudden coldness without him next to me.
A few minutes later, Liam returned looking furious. I was so used to him, I sometimes forgot how big he was, but seeing him now, there was no denying the formidable soldier he truly was. Nicky scooched closer to me to make room for him to sit, but he shook his head no, so Nicky got up to let him in, and he scooted in beside me, closer than before. Relief and dread warred inside me at his return. I’d never seen him so tense.
He held my gaze, worry in his eyes as he said, “A woman was attacked at Atteren Park.”