Page 63 of Booked for the Holidays
“What do you know about my advent calendar?” I glance between the brothers, catching Liam’s hard stare in Beck’s direction.
“Just that it’s pink and glittery and filled with surprises.” Beck gives me a once over. “That really could apply to anything in this flat.”
Behind me, Liam lets out a groan and mutters, “Don’t encourage him.”
I motion toward the living room. “You can take the couch. I’ll grab you a blanket and some?—”
Liam cuts in. “He can take the guest room.”
I blink. “That’syourroom.”
Liam shrugs, unbothered. “Not anymore.”
My stomach does a somersault. “So where do you plan on sleeping?”
His pointed look is both innocent and full of sin. “With you.”
My jaw drops. “Excuse me?”
“I meant—” he holds up both hands, grinning now, “I'll take the floor in your room. Obviously. Unless you’ve got a curtain we can use to divide the space?”
My eyes narrow at his callback to what just happened between us behind the curtain at the hospital.
Beck drops onto the couch with a wide smile, popping a cherry swirl candy from the bowl on the coffee table into his mouth. “Don’t mind me. I’m just a weary traveler in need of shelter and maybeThe Grinch Who Stole Christmasplaying softly in the background. The newer version with Benedict Cumberbatch. Man, I love that one.”
“You’re a menace,” Liam mutters, heading down the hallway.
I watch him go, heart racing as I realize Liam’s going to be in my room tonight.
Our forced proximity living situation just leveled up to only one bed.
If I thought having Liam in the room next to mine was overwhelming, the moment he rolls his suitcase into my bedroom, my stomach flutters with nerves.
“Maybe I’ll sleep on the couch.” I go to leave, but Liam reaches for my hand, pulling me back.
“Hey,” he drops his gaze to mine. “I don’t expect anything to happen here.”
“Good,” I say, my voice bright and brittle. “Because I can’t say it will.”
He nods, but there’s that ghost of a smirk at the corner of his mouth, like he knows exactly how full of shit I am. “Of course.”
When I walk over to my closet, I check my reflection in the full-length mirror to make sure my pants aren’t on fire. You know, since I’m such a fucking liar.
I do want Liam, and I’m sure he knows it.
But this time? He’s going to have to work for it.
I glance back at him standing in my bedroom, looking at home in a way that makes my chest squeeze tight. He’s worth wanting. He’s worth hoping for.
And maybe, just maybe, he’s about to prove he’s worth trusting again, too.
Beck is already holding court at the bar five minutes after our arrival at Stella and Jasper’s engagement dinner. Giving hugs to people he’s never met and complimenting the Christmas tree Liam and I decorated like it’s a guest of honor.
He’s chaotic and charming, making Liam, who I’ve always imagined to be the life of the party, look tame.
“Wow,” he says to no one in particular. “Smells like cookies, cinnamon, and lifelong emotional commitments. I love this place.”
I eye him, trying not to laugh. “You’re laying it on thick.”
