Page 76 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

Slowly, I begin to relax. Something about being in his arms, about the way he effortlessly moves his body to the music, feels strangely reassuring. His touch on my hand is light yet firm, leading me with a quiet confidence that I find myself mirroring. We move in sync, the initial awkwardness dissolving into a comfortable rhythm.

As the music swells, Liam spins me around, his grip around my waist surprisingly strong. For a fleeting moment, the world around us seems to fade away. There’s only the music, the feel of his hand on my back, the warmth of his gaze as he catches my eye. In that moment, it feels…real. Like we’re dancing, not for show, but for some unspoken connection that simmers just beneath the surface.

The room seems to fade away, leaving just the two of us moving in perfect harmony. I lose myself in the moment, in the warmth of his hand, the strength of his arm around me. For a brief, beautiful moment, it feels completely real.

Olivia claps again, bringing us back to reality. “You two make it look easy. Maybe you should be the ones getting married. It’d certainly make my job easier.”

Liam quickly drops my hand, his face turning serious. “No, that’s not happening,” he says firmly.

Damon, who has been watching with a mixture of amusement, snorts. “Not bad at all,” he concedes, his voice a touch gruff. “But I bet we can still do you one better.”

Olivia grins. “That’s the spirit! Let's take a break. We'll have you two dance next after a quick refreshment break.”

With a sense of exhilaration, I can't quite explain, I follow June to a table and sink down onto a chair. My mind is still buzzing from the dance, the memory of Liam's touch sending a jolt through my system.

But amidst the exhilaration, a seed of doubt has been planted. The way Liam looked at me, the way he held me… It sparks a realization that hits me with the force of a tidal wave.

I am falling for him. There’s no denying it anymore.

The realization itself isn't the problem. The problem is that Liam hasn't changed. He showed that much with how he flinched when the instructor mentioned wedding. He is still the same guarded, unattainable man who had built a wall around his heart.

The rehearsal continues, but my mind is elsewhere. I watch June and Damon, their happiness evident, and I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever have that with Liam. The thought that I might not is almost too painful to bear.

I steal a glance at Liam, wondering if he feels the same turmoil that I do. But he seems relaxed, focused on the event ahead.

I lean back in my seat, closing my eyes and trying to calm the storm inside me. I can’t help but feel a looming possibility of heartbreak.

25

LIAM

The sun is setting over the orchard, casting a warm golden light that filters through the leaves of the apple trees. I stand in the center of the venue, taking in the beauty of the place where June and Damon will soon be married. The trees are strung with fairy lights, and the tables are set with white linens and floral centerpieces. It’s coming together, but there’s still so much to do.

Emma is up on a ladder, hanging more lights. She seems determined to finish the setup tonight, her focus intense. I take a moment to admire her dedication and the way she moves with purpose, every gesture deliberate.

I pull out my phone and call my dad. It rings a few times before he answers.

“Hey, Dad. I might not be coming home tonight,” I say, glancing up at Emma as she steadies herself on the ladder.

“Oh, really? Is it a really special date this time?” he teases.

I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see me. “This is for working on Damon’s wedding, not a date.”

“Sure, sure,” he says with a chuckle. “Good luck with the setup. Send my greetings to Emma.”

“Will do. Thanks, Dad.” I end the call and slip my phone back into my pocket, then walk over to where Emma is working.

My job is to help ready the lights that I hand over to her. The fairy lights I hold in my hand feel like a tangled mess, mirroring the jumble of emotions swirling within me. I can’t seem to forget that moment a few days ago, when Emma effortlessly waltzed across the makeshift dance floor at the rehearsal dinner, her laughter dancing on the air. And then, when we took that impromptu turn on the floor, something shifted. The electricity in her touch, the way her eyes hold mine… It's undeniable.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I focus on untangling the lights. The orchard, chosen for June and Damon's wedding because of its picturesque charm, is still a work in progress. String lights draped across the branches need to be hung, lanterns have to be placed strategically on the tables, and the whole place needs a general sprinkling of fairy dust (or at least, its closest equivalent).

Emma, perched precariously on a ladder, hangs lanterns with the focused intensity of a woman on a mission. The last rays of the setting sun cast long shadows across the orchard, painting the scene in a soft golden light.

“You really think we'll get it all done tonight?” I call out, my voice echoing in the now-quiet evening air.

She looks down, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Don't underestimate the power of caffeine and a little creative OCD,” she replies, expertly maneuvering a lantern into place.

I chuckle. “Creative OCD? That sounds like a dangerous combination.”

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