Page 49 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

As we leave the chapel, I feel a sense of accomplishment. We’ve found several great options, and I’m excited to share them with June. We drive back toward town, the afternoon sun casting long shadows on the road.

“I think we did good today.” I smile as I glance at Liam.

He smiles, his eyes crinkling in the corners. But for some reason I feel like his eyes remain passive. Is there something going on in his mind?

“Yeah, we did. Thanks for dragging me along.”

I laugh, feeling a warm glow of satisfaction. “Anytime, Liam.”

We pull up to my house. It slowly dawns on me that we have to part ways soon, and I turn to him, a sudden pang of reluctance hitting me. “Do you want to come in for a bit? We still have some planning to do.”

Liam hesitates, then nods. “Sure. Just for a bit, though.”

My heart races as I climb out of the car. There’s a look in his eyes that I don’t understand.

15

LIAM

I climb out of the car to stand beside Emma in front of the house.

She chatters on about how excited June will be to see the pictures. I barely say a word. My thoughts are still tangled with the day’s events, and the kiss lingers on my mind like a stubborn melody.

I follow her inside. The air thrums with the house’s usual boisterous energy. I used to love it, but at this moment, I think I need some quiet solitude. Damon is in the living room, his booming laugh filling the space as June swats him playfully on the arm. Ethan sees us and launches himself at me the moment I cross the threshold, wrapping his small arms around my waist in a hug.

“Uncle Liam,” he exclaims, his voice filled with childish enthusiasm.

I pat his back, flashing a small smile as I crouch to bring us face-to-face. “Hey, buddy,” I offer my palm, and he slaps it in a high-five, then I ruffle his hair.

Damon and June stand up from the couch where they’re sorting through a pile of papers.

“Liam, good to see you,” Damon booms, clapping me on the back with a force that nearly knocks the wind out of me. “Thanks for helping out today. We really appreciate it.”

“No problem, man,” I reply, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Just doing my part as your best man.”

“Thank you so much.” June echoes her husband-to-be’s sentiment. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

It’s amazing how in sync they both seem to be as if they have a telepathic understanding between them. If only this lasted, then I could dare to hope that… I steal a glance at Emma who’s standing in the corner with Ethan, laughing as she shows him pictures. No, I shake my head. I know this doesn’t work. It never does.

I nod at June, trying to muster some enthusiasm. “No problem. Glad to help.”

“Wow! That’s so beautiful!” Ethan’s voice pulls all our attention to the duo.

“What’s beautiful, Ethan?” June mutters with a smile, heading over to the boy.

“The potential venues,” Emma smiles. “I’ll print some of them out so we can see them together.”

Emma, June, and Ethan head off to another room to print out the pictures we took today.

“Seeing those three like that gladdens my heart.” Damon mutters, his eyes following them.

“I know, man.” I clap his shoulder. I should seize the opportunity to excuse myself, wanting to escape the thickening air. “I should go, man.”

“Now?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “I’ve got business.”

But just as I turn to leave, Damon calls out to Emma from inside the house. “Emma, could you come here for a second? Liam’s leaving.”

---