Page 100 of Back to Willow

“Yes,” I breathe out before getting out of the car and shutting the door. “I got it changed yesterday.”

“Ah good,” he hums before scratching the back of his neck.

Steps sound, catching both of our attention, and Johanna emerges, looking pointedly at the both of us.

“Morning,” she grumbles in acknowledgement before shaking her head.

Right after her, other students pass by as the campus starts to pack with people. A few look at us but say nothing, keeping on their way. We’re hardly the centre of attention in broad daylight, but apparently, the little attention makes the situation weird.

“Well, if you don’t need anything else, I better go.”

I understand, though; the last thing we need are rumours about us being too close for a student and professor. That’s why I nod and stay behind as he walks toward the class building. The day goes by quickly, with so many projects to finish and notes to organise.

At the end of the day, as I park the car in the driveway, I’m surprised to see Liam’s car parked a couple of spots down the road.

What is he doing here?

“Hey.” I wave at him after knocking on his driver’s window. He rolls it down, sporting one of his signature smiles. The one he used back in the day whenever he had done something he shouldn’t have. “Something wrong?”

“No, I—” He stops himself for a moment. “I did an all-nighter, and after waking up this afternoon, I couldn’t just sit around the house when I had this…urge to come and see you both.”

His cheeks turn a darker shade of pink at the admission, and I’d laugh if I wasn’t turning beet-red myself.

“I can go if you have plans or some—”

“No.” I cut him off too quickly. “Come in. He’ll be happy to see you.”

I take a step back to let him get out of the car. We both walk in a half-awkward, half-comfortable silence to my front door. The keys jingle when I place them in the lock, unlocking the door. When I twist the knob and open the door, I’m tackled before I have a second to know what’s happening.

My back hits Liam’s chest, and thankfully, his arms are strong enough to stop me from falling flat on my ass. Still, Dylan’s weight is enough to make him waver. Who would have known that a running six-year-old would feel similar to a speeding truck?

“Jesus Christ,” I grumble when I am finally able to find my footing. “You’re too old to be doing this.”

Nonetheless, I pick Dylan up. Now, completely glued to me with his legs around my torso, arms surrounding my neck, and a megawatt smile right in front of my eyes. Still, what’s distracting me is Liam’s big hand plastered across my lower abdomen, burning right through my clothes. As if that wasn’t enough, the warmth coming from his chest is still hovering over my back, as well as his chuckle right next to my ear.

Sensory overload.

It takes all my strength not to melt into his hold. My body begs for it, craves it.

“I just missed you,” Dylan whines, bringing my attention back to him. Then he buries his head in my neck, mumbling, “You have school and work so much…”

“Well,” I try to avert a crisis by not dwelling on the bad, “I managed to come earlier than I anticipated today. And apparently, someone else wanted to spend some time with you, too.”

“I saw him.” His words come out muffled from my shirt.

“Then why are you being rude?” I ask, tilting him in a failed attempt to get him off my neck.

He side-eyes Liam then looks back at me and shrugs.

“He missed you, baby. He wanted to spend some time with you.”

“Yeah?” he asks, glancing back at Liam.

“Of course,” Liam speaks for the first time. “You still doubt me?”

Dylan’s cheeks start to redden, making him look awfully like the man behind me—except for the hair that he got from me.

Sweet Jesus.

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