Page 103 of Bake You Mine
The lights dimmed, and the crowd roared to life. Liam stepped next to her, his arm coming around her shoulders.
He kissed her on the forehead before the band started to play. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy the sensation of being surrounded by Liam.
She wasn’t super familiar with The Overnight Stripes, but she would’ve found it challenging to pay attention even if she was. After the afternoon’s events, a hollow pit had taken over her stomach—and she hated herself for letting her anxious thoughts win.
Liam would have a life like this if Elevation moved to DC. The microscope he lived under would be magnified. Parties, concerts, all that big city shit he’d romanticized. Why would he ever want to return to Port Fortune when he’d always talked about how much he’d loved his past life?
She struggled to develop a scenario where this fledgling relationship could work without one of them making significant concessions.
During a ballad, Liam brought her in close. It was too loud to hear anything he said, but the steady beat of his heart against her chest helped calm her, if only for a moment.
They’d been invited to the band’s after-party. Sasha begged them to tag along, but Liam didn’t want to push Aubrey into it. Eventually, his sister ran into some old friends outside the venue, and they headed off to the bar.
He felt a little wistful, watching them trot off—the follies of youth.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to the party? I’m sorry, but I have to get back to work. Construction starts, and I’ve got to finish up the menu for the farmer’s market…”
Liam grabbed Aubrey’s face. “There’s nowhere I’d rather be than by your side, Aubs. I promise.”
Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. They fell into companionable silence as they made their way to his car. Getting out of DC was stressful enough, even on a good day. He stayed focused on the task until they were back on the interstate toward home.
Liam flicked on the radio and the car’s cruise control. “Hey, I know our conversation earlier got interrupted. Are you up to talking?”
Her shoes dropped to the floor as she tucked her legs under her. “I don’t want to end the night on a down note.”
His stomach rolled over. “Why would it?”
She kept her gaze out the window. “I had a great time today, Liam. Seeing the potential space for Elevation, dinner, the concert…it was great.”
He switched lanes, getting away from a tractor-trailer. “Why do I feel there’s a big old but coming?”
“It’s not a but. It’s a…pause.” She sighed. “You belong here, Liam. And this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you.”
What was going on here?
“I know what I said, but I can be happy in lots of places, Aubs. And remember what we said about the distance being further but not impossible?”
“It’s not the distance, not really. It’s the difference in lifestyle.”
What was happening right now? He reached out to put a hand on her knee. “You’re starting to freak me out a little bit.”
“I’d always assumed you’d win the competition. I guess I’m still processing. When you’ve convinced yourself things will go one way, then they don’t, your brain has to play catch-up. At least if you have an anxious brain like I do.”
“I love your beautiful, anxious brain. But you deserved to win, you know that, right?”
“I do, I promise.” She reached forward to turn off the radio. The roar of the Challenger’s engine was the only sound while she processed her thoughts.
“All of this is so new between us. I think your decision should only factor in what’s best for Elevation and the future of your business.”
He cut her a glance. “Aubrey, please speak to me.”
She turned toward him. “I want—” She exhaled. “I think I need a little time away, Liam. Winning the contest, all the attention, and now you’re leaving, it’s been a lot. I know I’ve shielded you from it, but anxiety isn’t a personality quirk of mine. It’s something I’ve struggled with since childhood. I feel like I’m drowning here.”
Why couldn’t she see he could be her life vest if she’d let him?
She carried on speaking. “You need to have time to decide about DC without worrying about me.”
He didn’t like how that sounded—her nerves were showing,but this time, she couldn’t be disarmed by a kiss or a clever quip.
