Page 7 of Two Weeks in Tahoe

I saw a quick movement under their blanket that looked a lot like Marny tapping him in reprimand. The scolding look that flashed across her face as she turned to him confirmed my suspicion. Did Liam make up the story earlier about having friends over tonight? I wondered why he would do such a thing.

Before I could respond to Dex, Liam returned holding two steaming mugs.

“Here you go,” he said, carefully handing me the hot coffee.

“Thank you,” I responded, smiling as I took it.

He sat down next to me, holding an identical drink.

“Judging by your face earlier, I assumed you didn’t drink your coffee black,” I teased.

“There’s no time like the present to try something new. Something scary,” he smirked.

“Black coffee scares you?” I arched an eyebrow.

“Yes,” he said, nodding seriously. “And the people who drink it.”

We both laughed, his bright smile warming my whole body.

Dex leaned in. “See? He’s doing it again—smiling at some secret none of us are in on. So pompous.”

“Dex, do you even know what pompous means?” Liam shot back.

“See, he’s doing it right now!” Dex yelled, feigning offense.

“Dex is full of it, Layla. Don’t listen to him,” Marny said with a laugh. “These two are constantly at each other’s throats. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: Liam has the kindest heart of anyone you’ll meet.”

I glanced over at Liam, who was already looking at me, shaking his head. “Don’t believe a word they say,” he warned, grinning. “They’ve both known me far too long to be unbiased.”

The stories started flowing then. They talked about how Liam, Dex, and Marny had been inseparable since elementary school. They were all raised in the mountainside paradise, where everyone knew everyone. Liam and Dex always planned on staying, but Marny dreamed of traveling beyond the peaks and valleys of their hometown.

We talked for hours around the fire, which had started to feel surprisingly warm. They asked me about my life in Sacramento, and in return, I learned bits about Liam. Apparently, he was a total brainiac, a wizard with computers, which I thought was a surprising fact for a small-town guy who seemed so at home in the mountains and the outdoors.

Every now and then, Dex and Marny would get all gooey-eyed with each other and start kissing heavily. Liam would shift his attention to me, and we’d slip into our own private conversation. I got lost in his dark, piercing gaze as he listened intently to my dreams for the future, and then I felt a stirring—a glimpse of that all-consuming, teenage kind of romance that people always talked about.

After several more hours of laughter, stories, and the boys occasionally jumping up and chasing each other around the fire, Dex and Marny fell asleep cuddled together on their swing. I was still wide awake, exhilarated by the night and this foreign, wonderful feeling. Liam looked just as awake, just as alive, and maybe even just as captivated.

“Can I tell you something, Layla?” Liam asked quietly, his gaze focused solely on me.

My stomach dropped from the intensity of his look. “Yeah.”

“You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

Chills ran though my entire body. That beautiful, perfect boy was saying that tome. I was momentarily speechless. Then I cleared my throat, looked away, and muttered a thank you, trying to hide the blush I knew was coloring my cheeks.

“You’re welcome,” he said.

I risked a glance back at him, and he was still looking at me with a shy grin. I returned it.

After a few moments of silence, Liam murmured something about me looking cold, and before I knew it, I was sitting sideways across his lap, covered in a blanket. The large chair was deep and roomy enough for both of us, and despite the nervous flutter deep in my belly, I felt completely comfortable. His woodsy scent mixed with a hint of citrus—which I could barely make out over the campfire smell—was intoxicating. I snuggled into him even closer.

We sat in silence for a while, looking up at the stars and taking in the moment. Then, eventually, he pulled his head back and looked deep into my eyes. My stomach did a turn once again, knowing what was coming and wanting it so badly. He glanced at my lips and leaned in slowly. It was like time froze, leaving only us, the chilly night air, and the crackling of the fire. His perfect lips met mine, and I felt like I was suddenly floating among those stars with him. I instinctively lifted my hands and ran my fingers through his dark, messy hair, needing to feel every bit of him as his tongue moved in a slow, gentle rhythm with mine.

We remained locked together like that for who knew how long, pausing to talk in soft whispers only to resume kissing again. Eventually, the first hints of daylight began to creep into the sky. I finally pulled back from him, and we both watched the soft light breaking over the horizon. Realizing our night was coming to an end, he leaned his forehead against mine, holding me close and stroking my hair in slow, gentle motions.

I never wanted the night to end, but I knew I’d likely get a lecture from my parents at that point. They knew where I was and only sent me a few messages checking in throughout the night, but I knew they didn’t expect me to stay out that late. They’d probably been able to see the campfire blazing from their windows, and I was certain they probably peeked over a time or two. Not that they could see that many details from so far away, thankfully.

Liam walked me home, holding my hand the entire way. I felt like I was floating through the clouds.

---