Page 43 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

“Can you babysit again tomorrow? June and I are going to check out some venues for the wedding.”

A thought crosses my mind, and I see my chance. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll check out some venues.”

“Really?” Damon raises an eyebrow. “Em, I appreciate the offer, but…”

“No buts,” I interrupt with a determined smile. “I've got some free time tomorrow, and I know a few places that might be perfect. I’ll bring Liam with me. Two pairs of eyes are better than one, right?”

Damon hesitates, his gaze flitting between me and his sleeping son. I can practically see the wheels turning in his head. He opens his mouth to speak but then stops himself.

“What if he says no?

“He won’t.” I grin. Liam Miller is beholden to me right now, and I plan to take the best advantage of the most stubborn man I know.

“Alright,” he finally says, a slow smile creeping across his face. “You win. Just…be careful, alright? Liam can be a handful sometimes.”

“Don't worry,” I nod, my confidence growing with each passing second. “I can handle him.”

“Okay. I’ll go up to tuck Ethan in.”

I watch Damon go up the stairs. After he’s gone, I heave in a breath. I’m almost sure he won’t say no, but what do I do if he does say he can’t come? If he’s had enough of me after last night? Maybe that’s why he hasn’t texted me.

Or I’m overthinking again.

Feeling a mix of nerves and excitement, I grab my phone and compose a text to Liam.

| Hey, I have a favor to ask. Tomorrow, can you come with me to look at some wedding venues?

I hesitate for a moment before hitting send, my heart pounding in my chest. I sit back and try to focus on the show playing on the TV, but my mind is on Liam. I wonder what he’s doing right now. If he’s thinking about me as much as I’m thinking about him.

Minutes pass, and my phone buzzes. I quickly grab it, my pulse quickening.

| Sure, what time?

I smile and quickly type back.

| How about 10 AM? I’ll pick you up.

His response comes almost immediately.

| Sounds good. See you then.

I put my phone down, feeling a mixture of relief and anticipation. Tomorrow is going to be another great day, because at least I’ll be spending it with Liam. I just hope I can keep my feelings in check and not let him see how much he’s affecting me.

I hear footsteps down the stairs and look up to see Damon. “See? Done deal already.” I wave my phone at him.

He looks over at me, his eyes softening. “You’ve really held it down for us, Emma. I don’t know how to thank you.”

I smile, feeling a warmth spread through me. “We’re family. That’s what we do.”

He flops back onto the couch, and we sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching the rest of Ethan’s show in silence. I think about the future, about the wedding, and about Liam. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but for the first time in a long time, I just want to live in the moment.

13

LIAM

The greasy spoon diner buzzes with chatter that I assume must be its usual background noise. There’s a group of construction workers huddled in the corner, and they’re boisterously going about their dinner with loud talks and laughter.

The noise goes perfectly, along with the sounds of clattering cutlery and burgers sizzling on the grill. I take a large bite of my cheeseburger, the familiar salty tang definitely not agreeing with the nervous anticipation bubbling in my stomach.

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