Page 45 of The Grumpy Actor

“Yes, and I told you specifically not to talk to her so you wouldn’t let the secret out,” I say, glaring playfully at my aunt.

“I had to pinch her every time she was about to let out the truth,” Uncle George says, laughing.

We joined him, laughing heartily.

Mom pulls me into a hug. “Thank you, pumpkin.” She drags Lily into the hug. “And you, too.”

Emotions clog my throat, and I hug Mom tighter.

The doorbell snaps us out of our emotional moment.

“Who else did you invite?” Mom raises a brow.

“No one.” I glare at the door, wondering who’s disturbing us at such a peaceful time. “Let me check. It could be one of the neighbors.”

I hurry to the door, eager to get whoever it is on their way. However, every carefully constructed excuse in my mind dies down as I come face to face with Liam.

I gasp, my heart jumping dangerously. And it isn’t just because of my shock, but also because of how handsome he looks.

He’s dressed in a white shirt and black pants. It seems simple enough, but on him, it’s bewitching.

There’s a bouquet of flowers and a gift bag in his hand.

He came for my mom’s birthday. Why?

Although a part of me is excited that he wants to do this with me, all I can concentrate on is the fact that my family is in the house.

“Liam, what are you doing here?”

“I came to join the dinner. We finished early on set today. I hope I’m not too late,” Liam says, smiling so warmly it melts my heart.

It breaks me to do this, but I have to.

“Liam, you can’t be here.”

His face grows pale. “Why?”

Oh my! What do I say?

“My family is here. I don’t think you’ll fit in. They can be quite a handful.”

“I’m sure I can handle them. It will be nice to see what a normal family dinner is like.”

I gulp, feeling even worse about what I’m doing. Liam didn’t grow up as lucky as I did, and I’m basically shoving the fact that I have a family in his face.

This must be done, though.

“I don’t—”

“Is that Liam?” Mom’s voice cuts through my words as she appears beside me. She gasps. “How are you, dear?”

Liam’s eyes brighten when he sees my mom. “Happy birthday, Helen.”

“Oh, thank you, my dear.” Mom smiles, opening her arms to hug Liam.

I watch the scene with my mouth agape. My mom is acting as though it’s a normal occurrence to see Liam this way, and Liam is acting as though he’s known her all his life.

“I brought you these.” Liam hands her the flowers and gift bag. “Now I don’t think the flowers were such a good idea, seeing as your beauty is overshadowing them.”

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