Page 21 of Hooking Her Up

“I’m on my way.”

What do I do now? Am I really about to be homeless? After getting a few things into a bag, I stumble out of the house, maybe forever, and sob fresh tears. I’m a couple blocks away when Liam rolls to a stop across the quiet street. Jumping out, he pulls me into his arms, kissing my hair.

“Come on,” he says, leading me to his truck. I try to thank him and apologize for the inconvenience, but he cuts me off. “I was going to get you today anyway. I have something to show you.”

“You do?”

He dries my tears with the side of his hand and smiles mysteriously. “Just wait.”

Back at his cozy house, he settles me on the couch, and brings me a glass of orange juice and a bagel with cream cheese.

“Oh, you went shopping?” I ask.

“You have no idea,” he says.

Curious, I go to his bright, airy kitchen. It’s surprisingly like the one I wrote about in my journal, with yellow curtains and a spotlessly clean checkered tile floor. The fridge is full of eggs, butter, milk, and piles of fruit and vegetables, along with some steaks. The freezer has a tub of strawberry ice cream, my favorite. Liam opens the pantry door and it’s still mostly empty, but has brand new bags of flour and sugar, along with cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate chips and shredded coconut, and a tin of baking powder.

“What is all this?” I ask.

Looking uncharacteristically nervous, he pulls a plastic jack-o-lantern from behind his back, like the kind kids collect Halloween candy in. Slapping it down on the table, he says, “Make your wish, Kayla.”

I start to giggle and can’t stop. “What’s going on?”

“It was supposed to be a pumpkin,” he explains. “But apparently it’s impossible to get one this time of year, so…”

“Oh my God,” I whisper, realizing what he’s done. More tears spring to my eyes and I sit down, reaching for the plastic toy.

“Make a wish,” he repeats. “I’m going to make it come true.”

“You know what I really want,” I say, meeting his gaze as my heart twists. “But…” We both know it’s impossible. As much as I hate it, I can’t be a burden to him. I’ll have to return to school when summer is over.

He grins and sits down beside me, opening his laptop. A restaurant supply website is open to a picture of a big, expensive oven. He clicks through, showing me baker’s racks and a mixer that makes me drool.

“That’s all great,” I say. “But if I don’t go groveling back and promise to at least be nice to my dad’s business partner’s son, I’ll be homeless.”

“You’re not groveling, you’re never going to be homeless, and you’re damn well not being nice to any other guy,” he says, taking my face in his hands and kissing me hard. “You’re moving in with me. I’m going to put off buying that second truck and get whatever supplies you need to start right here. I’ve already got a guy coming to replace the countertops so you have more room.”

My heart clenches from his generosity and the love in his amber eyes. “You can’t,” I say. “I won’t let you give anything up for me.”

“I can, and you can’t stop me,” he says. Taking my hand, he pulls me out of his house, across the lawn and to the garage in front. Hauling me up a side stairway, he unlocks a door and leads me into a dingy, spiderweb laden apartment above his shop.

“Remember I said I wanted to get into real estate? I’ve been meaning to put this up for rent, but it needs so much work I can’t find the time. But it’ll bring in a good side income once it’s ready. You can be the building manager when you’re not baking.”

I still can’t believe this is real, but it’s clear he’s put a lot of thought into everything. He’s determined and just waiting for me to say yes.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I ask, my voice breaking with emotion.

“Come on, Kayla,” he says, giving my shoulders a small shake.

“Because you’re falling in love with me? Is that a good reason to turn your life upside down?”

Another shake, his eyes growing stern. “You are my life.”

This is real. Very real. And it’s everything I’ve ever wanted. In the middle of the dusty apartment, I throw my arms around him. “I love you so much, Liam,” I breathe into his neck. “And not just for making my pumpkin wishes come true.” Leaning back, I find him smiling down at me. “I love how sure you are of everything, how hard you work, how resilient you are.”

He stops me with a searing kiss, lifting me off my feet. When he puts me down, I take a deep breath, not sure my heart can stand so much happiness. Dust fills my throat, doubling me over in a coughing fit.

Liam picks me up around my knees and carries me out like a big bag of flour, and plops me down on his lawn, both of us giddy with the possibilities ahead of us. I realize he bought enough ingredients for me to whip up something delicious. The idea of a lazy afternoon baking for Liam, with plenty of kiss breaks, has me weak at the knees with happiness.

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