Page 13 of Booked for the Holidays
I blink, my brain immediately trying to picture Liam lounging on his couch reading a spicy holiday romance.
His mouth curves into a grin. “E-book and paperback. Don’t judge me.”
“Oh, I’m judging you,” I say, though it comes out shakier than I mean. “Next thing you’ll tell me you’re in a romance book club.”
He shrugs, his long fingers dancing over the top of a paperback on the display table. “Maybe I am.”
I gape at him.
He gestures toward the table of holiday releases. “You think I’d come back here unprepared?”
“Unprepared for what?”
His eyes lift to mine, but he doesn’t respond. I hate that part of me hopes it’s for me. That he’s back because he regrets everything.
But that doesn’t matter, because I can’t go back to being the girl with the silly crush. I refuse to be in that position again.
Liam’s mouth opens to speak, but the door jingles again, pulling our attention to it. Walking toward us, beaming and snow-dusted, are Stella and Jasper.
“You’re not going to believe this,” Stella says, flashing a diamond ring.
“We’re engaged!” Jasper grins.
Before his words are out, I’m leaping at Stella. I wrap her up in a hug before pulling back to admire her ring. I’m aware that Liam is congratulating Jasper with a hug before we exchange positions and I embrace my big brother.
“Congratulations!” I shriek with delight in Jasper’s ear.
“Thanks, Juni.”
When Jasper releases me, I go back to admiring Stella’s ring and asking all the details of how it happened.
“And then,” Stella says, “I pulled out the ring I got for him.”
“You were planning to propose, too?!” I exclaim, taking in the sight of a ring on Jasper’s finger as well.
I gape at them with a beaming smile, but when I feel Liam staring at me, I scowl and throw him some side eye. He smiles back at me, that crooked grin of his making my insides turn to mush.
I ignore it—and him—and turn back to talking with Jasper and Stella while Liam quietly listens.
The bell above the door jingles again and this time it’s my mom. I laugh when I see that she’s carrying champagne and glasses. Clearly, she couldn’t wait for the engagement news to come to her.
“A little birdie told me we have something to celebrate.” When her eyes land on Liam, they light up. “Oh, my goodness. Liam, I didn’t know you were in town.”
My mom embraces him and a pang of jealousy ripples through my veins. Because what would it be like to hug that man casually and feel nothing?
He shrugs but smiles at Jasper and Stella. “I couldn’t miss the big event.”
It hits me that Jasper must have shared his intention to propose to Stella with Liam, and that’s why he’s here. To celebrate Stella and Jasper’s engagement.
It makes far more sense than the idea that he might have arrived in our small, mountain town for other reasons that shall not be named, because I’m done with that silliness.
But the disappointment that causes my belly to dip is a reminder that clearly my feelings for Liam haven’t fizzled out like I’d hoped. God, I hate that he still affects me. That time hasn’t healed this wound.
“Well, Liam, we’re happy to have you here.”
I can’t help the snort of derision that leaves my nasal cavity, but when everyone turns to stare at me, I cover it up with a cough. “I’ve been fighting this cold.” My fingers tap my chest to emphasize my fake upper respiratory struggle.
“Have you been using that humidifier I gave you?” my mom asks sincerely. “It’s a must with this dry winter air.”
