Page 46 of The Love Chase

Emma was faking her way through this wedding, and these photos, and I’m sure through the dancing at the reception that would follow because she wanted to make me happy, make Bridget happy.

But what about her? She deserved to be happy too. I was taking her away from her normal life, thrusting her into the chaos of mine, and taking her chance away to find real love—all so I could get ahead in my career.

Those beautiful hazel eyes met mine, and the clicking of the camera faded into the background. I didn’t know where the next year would bring us, whether this would destroy our friendship or bring us closer, but I did know one thing.

After everything Emma had sacrificed for me, I would stop at nothing to make her happy, to help her own dreams come true.

Because Emma deserved the world. And I would do my darndest to give it to her.

Emma

By the time the reception was done, my feet were throbbing in my heels and a headache hammered at my temples. After hours of loud music, lots of small talk, and forcing a smile on my face to pretend I was over the moon about marrying Liam, I was ready to be away from people for a while. My social battery was running on empty. There was only so much peopling and faking I could handle.

Maya and Oliver were slow dancing to an Ed Sheeran song, and Jameson was seated at one of the tables, rubbing Elsie’s foot in his lap. I imagined her feet hurt just as much as mine did. My throat was parched, like cotton was stuffed in my mouth, and I had just had the thought of getting a drink when a voice spoke behind me.

“Here.” I turned to find Liam handing me a plastic cup. “I thought you might be thirsty.”

He had shed his tux jacket, rolled up the sleeves, and unbuttoned the top buttons of his white shirt, giving me a glimpse at his tanned chest and that tattoo peeking out on his arm. When had he gotten that? We had talked as teenagers about getting tattoos when we were old enough, but I had always been too chicken since I didn’t have much of a pain tolerance. It seemed he had gone ahead with that idea without me.

I did not like the way that made me feel.

But that was stupid. It wasn’t like Liam owed me anything. If he’d wanted to get a tattoo in California, then good for him. I swallowed, shoving the thoughts away as I took the cup from him and said a quiet thank you.

Night had fallen, and tiki torches and string lights hung throughout the trees and gazebo set the farm ablaze in a way that I reluctantly admitted felt romantic. If there was one thing I had to hand to Bridget, she knew how to plan a party and make it beautiful.

The air had cooled down slightly now that the sun wasn’t infusing the atmosphere with heat, but my body felt hot to the touch. Maybe it was sunburn, maybe it was just exhaustion from the chaos of the day. I sipped at my water, wishing it would cool me down. Needless to say, I was ready to take a cold shower and crawl into bed for the night.

At the thought of bed…anxiety spilled through my veins, making my hands tremble and fingers tingle. My stomach twisted into knots.

I’d be going home to Liam’s townhouse tonight. Our townhouse.

The thought made me swallow wrong and I launched into a coughing fit. My eyes filled with tears, and Liam gently rubbed my back until I could breathe again.

“You okay?”

My face burned, and I avoided his watchful eyes as I took another careful sip. “I’m fine,” I croaked.

Liam studied me for a moment before getting to his feet. “I think we’ve been here long enough. Wanna get out of here and head home?”

Home. The word clanged through me.

I didn’t know if I would ever see our shared townhouse as home, but I was willing to give it a try if it meant getting out of these heels and this dress, finally putting my feet up, and sitting in silence for the first time all day.

“Yeah, let’s go.” I ignored the ache in my feet as I stood.

Without an ounce of hesitation, Liam took my hand in his and we snuck back around the house and across the field toward his truck. He stopped to hide us behind hay bales and the barn, glancing around before pulling me forward again.

“Should we tell Bridget we’re leaving?” I asked, glancing over my shoulder. She’d be upset if we left without saying anything.

“She’ll survive.” He threw a sly smile over his shoulder. “We’ve done what she asked. We’ve earned a reprieve.”

It felt like we were kids again, sneaking around on the farm and getting into mischief. For the first time since Liam had returned to Meridel, things felt normal between us again.

Liam helped me and the oodles of fabric my dress had into his old truck before leaping into his own seat. The sound of the truck starting sounded like a monster truck revving. I waited, expecting Bridget to appear out of nowhere and demand we come back to the reception, but Liam shifted into gear and blasted out of there before it could happen. All thoughts of Bridget disappeared as I slipped my heels off my aching feet with a sigh.

I closed my eyes, leaning my head against the seat, the familiar old leather scent of Liam’s truck setting my nerves at ease. Maybe I’d take a bubble bath instead of a cold shower. My muscles were screaming at me, and I couldn’t wait to get this dress off and throw on an oversized tee and sweats.

Liam looked over at me as he drove, his shoulders tense, but he didn’t say a word. Blessed silence after an entire day of noise filled the cab of the truck, and I settled back into the seat, content for the first time all day. My eyes were heavy, slipping closed against my will. Before I knew it, Liam was squeezing my arm.

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