Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
She’s searching my eyes, and asks, “What does FM stand for?”
“Family meeting.”
“You’re meeting your family?”
I give her leg a little squeeze. “We are. As soon as we get home, we need to pack our bags and head out.”
“Where are we going?”
The emergency signal was sent, and the replies are trickling in. No one questions. They provide their ETAs because this is what we do. We never let one of our own fall, and Liv is one of us now. “Beacon.”
38
Noah
We rented an SUV, and I drove us back to Beacon. Since Loch and Tuesday, Lark and Harbor are flying in together, I thought it was best to get on the road instead of waiting for the helicopter to retrieve us. It also gave me time to think and sort through what just happened.
There were so many topics to cover with Liv that I almost didn’t know where to begin. I just want her safe.
At a gas station about an hour from my parents’ home, she was coming out of the store with Max wrapped around her front like a monkey and a bag in her hands. I left the vehicle and hurried to help her, happily taking that little monkey. Max clung to me the same. It’s been a long and busy day even though it’s only early afternoon.
Walking back, I say, “We need to talk about the meeting.”
“I wanted to ask but didn’t know if it was my business.”
I stop in front of the SUV, staring at her in disbelief. “You don’t get it, do you?”
“What? What are we talking about?”
“Us, Liv. We’re talking about us.” Rubbing Max’s back, I look into her hazel eyes that stirred more than my libido that night in the Hamptons. They woke me up entirely. I knew then that I’d never be the same after meeting her, and that’s come to fruition. “My business is your business, and I hope you feel the same. I have nothing to hide from you. You can check my phone. You can spy on me. You can riddle me with questions about my whereabouts, but you won’t find anything incriminating because I love you, and we’re in this together. To me, our lives have already become one.”
She opens her mouth and then closes it again, choosing to wrap her arms around us instead. I wasn’t planning on saying all that, but I’m glad it’s out there, and she knows how I truly feel about her. “I love you so much.”
I wrap a forearm around her, kiss her on the side of the head, and then whisper, “I should have saved that. It would have been a great proposal speech.”
Bursting out laughing, she steps back and nods. She wipes under her eyes as the tears breach her lids. “That would have been.” She’s still laughing when she says, “I’m glad you didn’t. I don’t want our proposal story to start with, ‘We started pumping the gas . . .’”
Chuckling, I say, “I wholeheartedly agree.”
We get back into the SUV, and once we settle in, she says, “You really meant that.”
I look at her as she stares out the window, seemingly deep in thought by her faraway gaze. She turns toward me and says, “Every man I’ve ever known has let me down, except for you. Not once have you questioned anything I’ve told you. You never even asked for a paternity test. You just stepped in and became Max’s dad.” She takes an unwavering breath. “You stepped into my life like we were made for each other. Your perseverance and dedication have been nothing less than incredible to witness and receive. I don’t know why you were in the Hamptons the night we met, but I’m so glad you were.” She leans over to kiss me, but I will always go the distance for her. Our lips meet, and though it’s short, it says so much more about her commitment to me.
Max squeals at the top of his lungs, startling us and causing us to both look back at him. I ask, “What is it, buddy?”
Kicking his feet, he laughs, looking back and forth between us. Liv says, “Oh, I know what he wants.” She reaches for the bag she bought and pulls out an applesauce pouch. She sets him up, and he’s fast to take it and to start sucking that goodness down. Glancing at Liv, we share the same amused smile—one of love and pride, joy and appreciation. Content in the moment.
Although I’m aware of the trouble ahead, I let her revel in the feeling for the time being. Whatever lies ahead, we’ll tackle it together.
“First, let me just say that I don’t think anyone can deny this kid is mine. Just look at how handsome he is.”
When she begins to laugh, I relish the sound. “No, there really is no denying it.”