A familiar warmth blooms, and I can’t deny that this specific kind of ache has always been reserved for Liam. His unconditional,possessivelove lives in my marrow.
“Are we going to play, or do you want to pass the time staring at each other?” I tilt my head with a challenge.
“I don’t mind the view, my sweet girl.” Fighting a grin, he points at the white chess pieces sitting in front of me, waiting like little soldiers facing off in a war. “Ladies first.”
I keep my face neutral and let my fingers hover above one pawn, then another, before finally stopping above the knight. I know exactly which piece I’m opening with, but I want to keep him guessing.
My gaze flicks up to meet his, and we both bluff our way through the stare.
Without breaking eye contact, I change directions and slide a pawn forward. The same pawn he always starts with. His mouth twitches as he mirrors it.
We play in silence for several minutes, sizing each other up with furtive glances. Then I offer up a pawn for him to capture.
“I’ve been thinking about your birthday,” he says, taking the bait.
I consider whether to sacrifice another. “You and Oliver both.”
“He asked you to choose him?”
“Not exactly. He implied he’d like to celebrate with me.”
“I want you to choose me.”
Instead of a pawn, I advance a rook, buying time. “Do I actually get a choice?”
“Yes.”
“So if I choose Oliver, or anyone else…you’ll be okay with that?”
“Hell no.” Shaking his head, he laughs, dark and self-mocking. “But I’ll accept it.”
He steals my rook, and I’m not sure if he realizes that by doing so, he’s left his queen vulnerable in two moves.
I study my options, pretending to decide.
His knee finds mine under the table. A beat later, his fingers slip beneath my chin and lift. “I miss you.”
If I’m honest, I haven’t had room to miss him. My grief took up every corner of my mind this month, with Oliver as a close second. Needless to say, my head’s been crowded.
But a pang of realization echoes through me now. Liam’s a master at stirring me, and the way he needs me, openly and unashamedly, reaches something I’ve spent a long time pretending isn’t there.
I lower my eyes, unable to face him, scared he’ll see the truth through the fractures in my facade. “I’m glad you’re here, and…thank you for pulling me back.”
Without him, I wouldn’t be here, and as soon as Sebastian returns, Liam’s heart will break all over again.
I don’t want to hurt him.
I want to love him.
You do. Admit it.
Another turn passes, and then the board breathes between us.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” He reaches across the table and takes my hand. “On your birthday.”
“Can’t you tell me now?”
Slowly, he withdraws his touch, thumb grazing my knuckles as he retreats. “The library isn’t the place for this conversation.”