“To friends!”
And to boyfriends.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Liam
“Ready for your surprise?”
Jenna’s eyes brightened, and she nodded eagerly, bouncing on the balls of her feet. She was fucking adorable, and I loved having her here in my house with me, so radiant. If she didn’t know it yet, she’d soon learn that I’d do anything to keep her this way.
Her happiness was a balm to my soul after the stress of the last few days. I hated being at work when she needed me. Luckily, she hadn’t put up too much resistance to Hayden joining her and the girls and then following her home after. She’d just laughed at me the next day when Conor, a game warden who was a friend of mine, just happened to show up at the library near closing to pick out a book for his daughter. I texted her before he arrived so she’d know he was there on my behalf, and she let him follow her home, too.
I was glad she hadn’t pushed back, but I was worried and furious too, because I knew the only reason she’d accept such protection was if she was nervous.
At least I’d been there today, and I’d loved seeing her at work. I was no expert on children’s libraries, but hers was amazing. Every detail was designed to engage the kids. Even with the construction, she’d rearranged things to keep the kids well away from that area. I’d barely seen or heard anything from the construction zone. She was great with the children, and it was obvious how much they loved and respected her.
I would’ve been content to just watch her all day if she hadn’t kept sneaking little looks at me. Looks that hinted at thoughts that were not work-appropriate. Looks that made me eagerly count down the minutes until we could finally get back here to my house where, hopefully, I could keep her just as happy and carefree as she looked now.
“Yeah?” I teased, pulling myself back into the moment. “You sure you want to see it?”
“Yes!”
My fingers traced the soft skin of her beautiful face, and I tilted her head up to look into her eyes. “Will you close your eyes and let me take you into the backyard?”
“Yes,” she answered softly.
Damn, her trust in me was everything. I gave her a slow, sweet kiss, and led her into the backyard I’d created with her in mind. With dreams of quiet evenings, laughter-filled days, and Thor chasing after our future kids.
“Open your eyes.” My voice came out husky and rough.
Jenna’s jaw dropped as she took it all in. I’d finished the redwood deck with a rich, natural stain and furnished it with a patio table and barbecue. To the left, a path led to a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs. Next to that, I’d built a pergola with a porch swing and draped fairy lights around it. Tothe right was a hot tub, glowing from the underwater light and the flameless candles I’d placed on the edge. But even with all that, Jenna’s gaze stopped on the three-foot-tall Connect Four game on the deck.
“You got me Connect Four,” she breathed.
My heart swelled, warmth spreading through my chest, and a low chuckle rumbled out. “And a porch swing and a hot tub.”
Her beautiful blue eyes were wide and sparkling. “For me?”
“Well, I didn’t get them so I could snuggle with Ryan.”
She threw her arms around me. “Liam, this is beautiful. I love it.”
“And you’ll snuggle with me on the porch swing and in the hot tub?”
“Every day!” Jenna’s cheeks blushed a beautiful pink. “Uh, I mean, I’d love to.”
“Every day sounds perfect. I can’t get enough of you, Firefly.”
She looked at the hot tub, an adorable pout on her lips. “I wish I had a bathing suit. I’ll bring one tomorrow.”
I grinned, one step ahead of her. “Actually, I have one for you. Juliette helped me. She wanted me to take one from your bedroom when I was there, but I refused. That’s your space, and I’d never violate your privacy like that, so she ordered you a new one. I hope it fits.”
“Liam. That’s the sweetest, most thoughtful thing ever.”
I pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. “Anything for you. How about some Connect Four while I start the barbecue?”
After we’d eaten grilled steak and asparagus on the deck and Jenna had beaten me four to one in a competitive best-of-seven series, I asked her what she’d like to do next. “Want to see if that bathing suit fits and we can go in the hot tub? Or we can make a fire and relax on the swing?” I kept my voice neutral, but I hoped she'd pick the hot tub. I’d been fantasizing about it all week.