Page 78 of Chasing After Forever

MACY

Iknew it. I damn well knew it and I got involved anyway.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Of course Liam was too good to be true. Gorgeous, rich, sweet as peach pie.

I’d felt like I was living in a fairytale because, well, I had been.

And now the bubble burst, leaving me even more disillusioned than before.

I should’ve trusted my gut and not gotten involved in the first place.

Damn it.

I swiped at the hot tears spilling down my face. At least I’d managed to hold them back in front of Liam. But now the dam had broken, and all the tears fell, fast and hard, wetting Liam’s T-shirt. The soft fabric held his scent, my damp, salty tears amplifying his manly, woodsy smell. I wanted to curl up into a ball in the comfort of his bed, bury my face deep in the pillows, and have a nice, long cry.

I also wanted to get the hell out of there.

What I didnotwant to do was have a long conversation about the future—our future—which no longer existed.

I didn’t want to talk about overly complicated logistics, custody schedules, paternity tests, Liam’s past sex life. Any of it.

In fact, I didn’t want to talk to Liam at all.

What the hell was I going to do? How was I going to get home?I probably had enough money in my bank account to buy a ticket, but maybe not.

Unplugging my phone from the built-in bedside charger, I tapped on the flight finder app, punched in the details.LAX to ATL, today.

Shit. $600?I could charge it to my credit card, then borrow money from Everly to pay it off. Pick up a few extra shifts at the Rowdy and pay her back.

Knock, knock.

“Mace? Can I come in? Please?” Liam’s muffled voice sounded through the door.

“Could you just leave me alone?”

“Can’t we talk this over? Please?” His voice tipped up into a plea.

“No. Not right now. I need to get home,” I said, trying my best to sound firm, even though my insides swirled, and I felt my resolve slipping at the sound of his smooth voice.

“I understand. And I don’t expect you to stay or make any decisions right now. But can we at least talk this out? While you’re here?”

I shook my head, even though he couldn’t see me. “Not now, Liam.”

“Fine. I’ll respect your space then,” he said, his tone low and resigned. “Let me at least fly you home.”

“No thanks. I can handle it.” Even though I kind of couldn’t. No way was I admitting that.

“Don’t be crazy. I can get the jet and you’ll be home by this afternoon.”

“I’m not flying on a private jet by myself, Liam. That’s not economical at all.”

“Fine. I’ll buy you a plane ticket then. Fly commercial.”

“I’ve got it. Don’t worry about it.”

“Macy. I’m buying you a ticket. You’re my guest and the only reason you’re here is because of me.”

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