Page 24 of Liam

“Change. I will hold the blanket up for you so nobody can fucking see you.” He lifts the blanket, but not far enough so he can’t watch me change.

I arch an eyebrow, and he smiles and watches me strip out of my clothes. I pull my jeans down, and my phone hits the bottom of the boat.

“You’re lucky it’s water resistant,” I tell him, and I bend down to make sure that it’s okay and, luckily, it turns on just fine.

I see a text from Vanessa telling me she is nervous about her date tonight with Tyler. An idea forms, and I smile and delete the text so Liam doesn’t see it.

Tonight we are having date night.

* * *

I talked Liam into going to dinner with me. We are seated a few booths away from…what do you know! Vanessa and Tyler are on a date tonight.

Liam looks at them and at me, thoroughly amused. “I forgot they were meeting tonight.” I shrug while I sneak past Tyler. Vanessa isn’t here yet.

Tyler looks up and laughs when he sees us. I hide my face in Liam’s chest, trying to control my laughter. Liam pushes me into the booth and settles down beside me.

I notice that he chose the seat facing them; he is nosy too. “You’re worried about her.”

I look at Liam, nodding. I am worried about her. She doesn’t date and, honestly, she is kind of scared of men. She’s had a really rough go of it, and I want her to be happy.

“What happened?”

I look at the menu, saddened by thoughts of what she has dealt with in her life. “It’s not my story to tell, but she’s had a rough go of it. A really bad childhood.”

He shakes his head angrily.

“I just want her to be happy. I think Tyler would be perfect for her.”

He laughs and kisses the side of my head, and I lay my head against his shoulder. Vanessa walks into the restaurant. I told her his booth number, which is why he got there early.

They still don’t know what each other looks like. Vanessa has long dark brown hair that reaches her butt, beautiful brown eyes, and freckles covering her nose and the tops of her cheekbones. She stops staring at the back of Tyler’s head, and I can see that she wants to turn around and run back out. She clenches her hands together and walks over to the booth, stopping at the end of the table.

Tyler looks up at her and his mouth falls open, staring at her in awe.

I cover my mouth trying to stop my laughter. Liam presses his lips against my temple, trying to hide his laughter.

Tyler stands up and leans on the table like he can barely stand. He says something and helps her into her seat.

How cute.

I sigh and watch them. I am such a hopeless romantic.

“Come on, Baby, let’s sneak out and we can grab some burgers.”

I nod. I just wanted to make sure she is okay. We walk out of the restaurant, and I look through the window to see her grinning ear-to-ear. I want her to be happy; she has been my best friend for years.

Tyler is staring at her like she is a freaking goddess and he can’t believe she is sitting in front of him right now.

How cute is this!

“Paisley!” someone yells for me.

I turn around to see the very guy who asked me out a month before Liam got home. He works in the hospital as a security guard. Liam wraps his arm around my waist, his grip tight, on edge. I lay my hand on his chest.

The guy walks over, completely ignoring Liam. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you in a while.” He smiles happily, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He could be a good guy, but something about him just doesn’t sit right with me. Plus, even if he were the greatest guy in the world, it wouldn’t matter because he is not my Liam.

“I’ve been okay, been pretty busy,” I tell him. I rub Liam’s chest, hoping he will get the hint.

---