Page 128 of Summertime Friends

Liam tickles my sides. “Just nothing?”

“Stop!” I plead with him between laughs.

“Tell me, and I’ll stop.”

“Ugh, fine.” I give in. “I’m thinking about George being a teen girl’s dad and how miserable he’s going to make the life of anyone she brings home.”

“She may never bring anyone back.”

We both laugh at that.

“Their poor kids.”

“My poor what?” George asks.

“Nothing,” Liam and I say in hushed unison.

In my ear, Liam whispers, “You are going to be beautiful pregnant someday.”

I used to not want kids. I was nervous that history would repeat itself and I would inflict the same pain on my children, or I wouldn’t be enough of a mom for them.

The idea of that someday doesn’t scare me. It doesn’t scare me because someday will be with Liam.

With him, I can face anything.

I kiss his cheek and reply, “You’ll be a great dad. I can’t wait to have that with you, but I want you all to myself right now.”

Liam leans in and kisses my nose.

“I’m all yours, States.” He presses his mouth to mine. “Forever.”

The game continues round after round until one of Chloe’s turns, and the beer can cracks, and she is sentenced to finishing it in one drink.

“What cooler is lunch in?”

“The orange one,” Cal responds to Natalie.

“Anyone want one?” Natalie asks the group, holding up sandwiches.

“I do,” several of us say.

“I may or may not have packed you a peanut butter and pickle sandwich,” Liam tells me quietly as the others pull out bags of chips and containers of veggies.

“You remembered that was my favorite type of sandwich?”

“It’s impossible to forget a disgusting combination like that, but—” Our faces turn toward each other.

“Have you tried it? No. You refused!” I cut him off.

“But I remember everything about you, Emerson,” he finishes saying.

“Why?” My head tilts and my insides ignite.

“Because it hurt more to forget you than to remember why I loved you—still love you.”

“You still love me?” I ask with surprise. I assumed, but hearing it feels like winning the lottery.

He nods and then gives me an endearing kiss.

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