Page 98 of Falling for Love

“He is. He’s my world.”

For a moment, we stood there in the glow of the porch light, the world around us silent except for the soft rustling of the trees. Liam stepped closer, his gaze locked on mine, and my breath caught.

“I meant what I said,” he murmured. “I’m here, Evie. For whatever you need.”

My heart twisted painfully as if it were tearing between the pull of his words and the weight of everything I was carrying.

“I know,” I whispered. “And I appreciate it.”

He reached out, his hand brushing against mine. “Drive safe, okay?”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, and turned on the engine to get the heater going.

“Goodnight, Liam.”

“Goodnight, Evie.”

But instead of closing the door, he leaned in and softly brushed his lips against mine. Every cell in my body ignited with something I craved but was afraid to allow back into my life.

I rested my palm on his cheek as he kissed me again, and I kissed him back, feeling the warmth spread through me. His lips slowly parted from mine as he rested his forehead against mine.

“You deserve to be happy, Evie. To feel safe and without worry.” His voice lowered. “Let me in all the way.”

His words took me by surprise, but they wrapped around me with a feeling of protection I’d rarely felt in life.

I let out a slow sigh and smiled. “Liam, thank you.”

He shook his head. “You have nothing to thank me for.”

“No. I have everything to thank you for. You’re reminding me what a good man is.”

Heat swam through his eyes, but he just smiled and gave a quick nod before closing my door.

As I drove out of his driveway, I couldn’t help but glance back at him in the rearview mirror. He stood there, hands in his pockets, watching as I drove away in the dark.

The sight of him, standing in the glow of his porch light, was enough to make my chest ache. And as I turned onto the main road, I realized just how much I didn’t want to let him go.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Evie

I stood in my kitchen, staring blankly out the window as the school bus rumbled down the road, whisking Hayden off to start his day.

He had waved at me so cheerfully from the window, his smile bright and carefree.

He had no idea. None at all.

I’d already left a message at my lawyer’s office and delayed all my appointments for the day until I heard back.

The thought that someone could take that away—could take him away from me—nearly paralyzed me.

And I didn’t understand my ex’s angle.

Why now?

I leaned heavily on the counter and pressed my fingers on the edge as though it could anchor me. My chest hurt, and I fought the overwhelming urge to run after that bus, scoop him up, and hold him close where no one could touch him.

But that wouldn’t help either of us.

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