Page 118 of A Simple Reminder

Lucas takes the papers, his expression unreadable. “Good,” he says briskly, already shifting into action mode. “I’ll handle the release. You two just make sure you look madly in love.”

Adeline smirks from her corner. “Shouldn’t be too hard for you two.”

I laugh softly, some of the tension breaking. Liam squeezes my hand and pulls it to his lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles. His eyes shine with that same intensity as before, but there’s a playful glint now too.

“Madly in love, huh?” he murmurs, his lips curving into a teasing smile.

I arch a brow, matching his playful energy. “You better sell it, Ayoub.”

“Oh,” he says, his voice dropping low and intimate as his hand tightens around mine. ”Selling it won’t be a problem.”

His gaze locks onto mine, the teasing edge fading, replaced by something deeper. Something real.

“Because I do love you, Sophie Anderson. Madly. Completely. No selling required.”

The air stills between us, heavy with something unspoken—but not anymore.

My heart pounds, my breath catching as the words rise in my throat. I don’t hesitate this time.

“I love you too,” I whisper, squeezing his hand, my lips curving into a smile that feels too big for my face. “Madly. Completely. Always.”

His laugh is low, reverent, and full of something I never want to go without. Then he pulls me in, sealing the words between us with a kiss that makes sure I never doubt them again.

FORTY-SIX

SOPHIE

We’ve spent every day of the last five weeks together, and I’m loving every second. When Liam leaves for meetings I’m not included in, I find myself missing him. Me. Missing someone this much. I feel like one of those lovesick, doe-eyed girls I never thought I’d become. Not because it’s wrong, but because I thought I lost the only person who’d make me feel this way. Never in a million years did I think I’d feel like this again, but here we are.

The feelings came back like a wave crashing on the shore, unstoppable and all-consuming. And instead of resisting—okay, maybe I did at first—but once I let go of that insane need to fight it, I welcomed every single drop.

We’ve made it a point to go out in public as much as possible—new restaurants, parks, and even one ridiculous cooking class where Liam chopped an onion so badly the instructor had to intervene.

Since the statement was released, followed by the photos, the media frenzy hasn’t completely died down, mostly because ‘the last Ayoub bachelor is now taken’. I roll my eyes at that thought. Yes, he’s taken, he’s mine. But at least the narrative has shifted. Most of the articles now focus on our ‘beautiful love story,’ although a few holdouts still try to stir up drama.

The two developers who initially dropped me reached out again, eager to pick up where we left off. But Liam was right—they didn’t give me a chance before and don’t deserve a second one now. For the first time in a long time, I’m putting my value above other's convenience.

Lucas left for France the day after the statement and photoshoot, eager to return to Leora. Watching them look at each other the way they do warms my heart and makes me hopeful. Sometimes, I catch Liam looking at me that way, and while it terrifies me, it also fills me with something I can’t quite name.

Right now, we’re in his car, and for once, he’s the one driving. I’ve been watching him, admiring the way he maneuvers the wheel with one hand, the other casually resting on the gearshift. Is it just me, or is there something ridiculously attractive about a man driving? Especially when he does that one-handed thing to reverse, his arm stretching behind my seat, his movements so effortless. So damn hot.

“Are you okay?” he asks, glancing over when I don’t answer.

“What? Yeah, I’m fine,” I stammer, shaking off my thoughts. “Just excited. Where are you taking me?”

He grins, a smile so radiant it could light up the night. His hand moves to rest on my thigh, squeezing once, twice, before settling there. “I might as well tell you. You’ll find out soon enough.”

The teasing lilt in his voice makes my heart flutter.

“Coney Island,” he announces, flashing me another quick glance.

“Coney Island?”

“Yeah. You’ll understand why soon.”

When we arrive, I do understand.

We walk toward the Wonder Wheel, its vibrant lights illuminating the evening sky. I stop in my tracks, staring up at the towering Ferris wheel.

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