Page 102 of Chasing After Forever

“Yes, it was thoughtful of Liam to line up a driver for us,” Bree said, sipping on her drink. “We don’t have to worry about directions or parking.”

I sighed happily. Liam was thoughtful. And kind, smart, funny, sexy...

“Earth to Macy!” Everly said, waving her hand in my face, shoving champagne in my direction.

“Thanks.” I accepted the drink and took a long swallow as I glanced out the window at the darkening sky.

“Wait—why are we at the park? And why aren’t the gates closed? It’s after dusk,” I said as we pulled into Peachtree Park, driving down the long asphalt path. “We’re not being abducted, are we?” I asked in a low, panicked whisper.

Everly laughed. “No! Just making a quick little pit stop is all.”

“Hold up—you knew about this?” I narrowed my eyes at her, suspicious now. “What’s going on? We’re not going to girls’ night, are we?” I glanced first at Delaney, then Bree, then finally back at my sister. All three of them grinned at me, and Delaney shook her head.

“No, hon, we’re not. At least, you’re not. Liam asked us to bring you here,” Delaney said as the SUV slowed to a stop.

“See ya!” Everly said, practically pushing me out of the car, snagging my flute right out of my hand.

“Y’all can’t leave me here like this!” I cried as the door slammed shut behind me and the driver popped the fastest U-turn I’d ever seen, peeling out of the park.

I stood in the middle of the path, stunned.

“Hey.” A deep, familiar voice startled me out of my daze.

Swiveling, I saw Liam walking towards me in the dusky light. He wore a dark suit with a light pink tie and carried a single red rose.

“For you,” he said, tipping his head down and lightly brushing his lips across mine.

My heart skipped, my cheeks flushing, as I accepted the rose and kissed him on his warm mouth. Why was I suddenly shy? The air between us felt different, more charged, out here in the park at night, all dressed up beneath the stars.

“I have a ton of questions,” I murmured into his mouth.

“And I have answers,” he said, winking. He linked his fingers in mine and led me down the road, deeper into the park.

“I wanted to have a perfect night with you. I wanted to surprise you. Most importantly, I wanted to be alone with you.” He glanced over at me, his eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

“All you had to do was ask. You didn’t need to be so covert about it.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” he asked with a broad smile.

I stopped short at the bright lights in front of us. “What? What is this?” I stared out at the Ferris wheel looming large next to the lake.

“That? Oh, just something I had brought in for us. I wanted to experience unlimited rides with you, and I hate waiting in line.”

I laughed, slapping him on the arm, warm happiness radiating through me. “Liam McCauliffe, you’re so extra.”

“I can be, yes. C’mon.” He dragged me towards the Ferris wheel, and I carefully navigated the slippery metal staircase in my heels, clinging on to Liam’s hand as I stepped up into the swinging bucket seat.

Liam settled in next to me, looping his long arm over my bare shoulders, pulling me close to his warm body. The Ferris wheel came to life, and we started moving, rising up, up, up into the air.

“I can’t believe you did this for me,” I said, my voice filled with awe as we circled higher into the night sky.

“This little thing? It was nothing.” Liam laced his fingers in mine, bringing my knuckles up to his lips. “I’d do anything for you, Mace. I hope you know that.”

I blushed, overwhelmed with joyful gratitude. “How’d I get this lucky?”

“Don’t get too excited, the tilt-a-whirl was booked.”

“Damn. And I had high hopes, too,” I teased, grinning at Liam as we started on our second slow circle.

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