Page 67 of Knot Really Engaged
He takes a deep breath. “I’m saying I want you to move in with me. For real. I want to share mealswith you, share my bed with you. I want to get to know you better, Audrey. I know we have the real thing here. You’re the woman of my dreams, the love of my life.”
I bite my lip, considering his words. “I don’t know, Liam. We both work, we’re both busy. And what if it doesn’t work out?”
He cups my face in his hands, his eyes intense. “That’s why I want you to keep your apartment. Until we’re both sure about this, about us. But I know it in my heart, in my soul that you’re the love of my life.”
I can’t help but smile. “You do, huh?”
He nods, his thumb stroking my cheek. “I do. So, what do you say? Will you move in with me, Audrey McCallister?”
I pretend to think about it for a moment, just to make him sweat. Then, I grin. “Okay, Liam Cohen. You’ve got yourself a roommate. But only if you share your bed with me.”
He whoops with joy, lifting me off the ground and spinning me around. I laugh, clinging to his shoulders. When he sets me back down, his eyes are sparkling with happiness.
“You won’t regret this, Audrey. I promise.”
I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “Promises, promises.”
“Is that a challenge?” His breath tickles my ear.I tighten my grip around his neck, pulling him closer. Our lips meet again, this time more urgently, as if we’re trying to convey words that can’t be spoken.
I place my hands on the back of his neck, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my fingertips. His eyes lock onto mine, a deep, intense gaze that I can stare into forever. “What if I’m challenging you to make me fall more in love with you?” My voice barely above the sound of the waves lapping the shore.
He doesn’t respond with words, but instead, leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that steals my breath away. It’s a kiss that speaks volumes, a kiss that tells me he’s up for the challenge. His lips move against mine, soft yet firm, coaxing me to respond. And I do, meeting his passion with my own.
Our kiss deepens, becoming more urgent, more desperate. It’s as if we’re trying to convey feelings that can’t be put into words, emotions that run deeper than the ocean. His stubble scratches against my skin. His hands trace patterns on my back, igniting sparks that dance along my nerve endings.
As we stand there, lost in our own world, I can’t help but think about how far I’ve come. Not so long ago, I was afraid to open myself up to the possibility, afraid of love. Probably afraid to live too. Butnow, every kiss, every touch, every shared moment with him feels like a rebellion against that fear. It’s liberating, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once.
As we break apart, our foreheads resting against each other, I realize that I am no longer afraid—not of loving him, not of what the future holds—because for the first time in my life, I am truly, unabashedly, myself.
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” he replies, the only thing that we hear is the sound of the waves.
Audrey’s Epilogue
I lean backagainst Liam’s chest, the warmth of the fireplace casting a cozy glow over our hotel suite. The view of the Italian coastline outside our window is breathtaking, but I find myself more captivated by the man holding me in his arms. His scent envelops me, a mix of his favorite cologne and something uniquely him, making me feel safe and cherished.
“Happy six-monthKnot-Really-Engaged anniversary,” Liam murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. His lips linger on my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.
I can’t help but smile at the silly title we’ve given this milestone, a soft chuckle escaping my lips. Six months ago, we were pretending to be engaged to appease his family. Now, we’re celebrating something real, something genuine. My heart swells with love for this incredible man who has become my everything.
“I can’t believe it’s been six months already,” I say, turning my head to look at him, my eyes locking with his. “Time flies when you’re in love, I guess.”
Liam grins, his eyes crinkling at the corners in that way I adore. The way he looks at me, like I’m the most precious thing in the world, makes my heart skip a beat. “It sure does, Little McCallister.”
A lot of things have changed. Like, for example, I’ve decided to give up my lease. Though most of my clothes are in his house, I’m now making it official. The thought of waking up next to him every morning and falling asleep in his arms every night fills me with a sense of contentment I’ve never known before.
Most importantly, Grandma Cohen is now in remission, and his Dad has finally headed back to Boston, where the bookstore is now thriving. Aweight lifts off my shoulders, knowing that the people we love are doing well.
Mom and I have worked on our relationship. We’re still doing family therapy—all five of us. She’s been making some pretty hard choices about her family. Like cutting ties with Aunt Carol, who disregarded her feelings after she tried to have a heart-to-heart with her. It hasn’t been easy, but seeing Mom stand up for herself and prioritize her own happiness makes me proud.
Lucy, on the other hand, reached out to me, and we also mended our relationship. It turns out that a lot of the stuff Aunt Carol says is just lies to make everyone look bad. She has a hard time keeping up with her mom but does it because she doesn’t want her mom to end up alone. It seems like her marriage to Uncle Michael is also a sham. My heart aches for Lucy, but I’m glad we’ve found a way to reconnect.
“By the way, I don’t want to scare you, but Mom asked if we were getting married anytime soon.” Liam’s voice breaks through my thoughts, and I feel a flutter of nerves in my stomach.
“We’re not even engaged,” I remind him, my brow furrowing slightly.
“Are you ready for it?” he asks, his tone gentle, his fingers intertwining with mine.
