Page 71 of Ward Willing
“Of course,” he says, drinking his espresso. “As long as you won’t be too tired.”
I shrug. “The test ends around noon, so I can nap if I need to.”
He considers this for a second before responding. “Okay. I’ll drive you to the test and pick you up.”
Apparently offering him one ride means he’s driving me around all day.
“I already scheduled a ride.”
“Cancel it,” he says authoritatively. “Where’s the test?”
“UCLA.”
He nods. “Okay.” Taking another sip of his espresso, he leans back against the counter fully. “It’s a costume party tonight,” he adds, his expression unreadable, like he’s waiting for me to change my mind.
“I have a costume,” I say quickly.
“Alright. Do you… need anything?” he asks, looking at the flashcards scattered across the island. “I could quiz you.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m as prepared as I can be. But thanks.”
His lips twitch. “Of course you are.” He looks down at the floor, and despite my stomach being filled with nerves for the test, I can’t help but feel calmer now that he’s here.
Calmer because he’ll be there before and after and because I have something to look forward to tonight.
He clears his throat as he looks up at me. I avert my gaze quickly. “What time do you need to leave?”
“Seven,” I tell him. “The test starts at eight-thirty, but I have to be there at eight.” I don’t have to explain that despite UCLA only being thirty or so minutes away, I need to mentally prepare myself.
“I’ll see you at seven,” he says, giving me a small smile.
The tension dissipates slightly as he walks out of the kitchen, and I blow out a long, slow breath of air. I go through my flashcards twice, and as I hop up to make breakfast, Liam walks back in the kitchen, buttoning his dark blue flannel. My eyes quickly take in his dark grey jeans and wet hair as a whiff of licorice permeates my senses. The smell makes me think about him showering in his large shower, andthatmakes me think of what else he does in the shower.
I quickly push it out of my mind.
After today, I will be free to think about Liam doing all sorts of inappropriate things underneath a stream of hot water. But right now, my sole focus needs to be on reasoning and comprehension. It doesn’t matter that I find all of it boring as hell—it’s something I need to do before I apply to law school. These steps have been pre-programmed into me for years. Today istheday.
“I’ll make breakfast,” he says, pulling a pan from under the stove. “Eggs? French toast? What sounds good?”
“Honestly, I’m too nervous to eat.”
“You need food. I’ll make French toast with some fruit and yogurt for protein.”
My lips twitch. “Sure. Thank you.”
He begins to prep the bread and eggs, and then I see him shaking his head. “Like I would let you take the LSATs on an empty stomach,” he grumbles.
I laugh. “I meant to ask earlier, but what’s your costume?”
“You’ll have to wait and see,” he answers, his voice gravelly.
“I’ll go get dressed,” I say quickly, hopping off the stool. I’ve been sitting for the better part of two hours. Sushi stands and stretches, sauntering off into another room.
As I stretch, I realize my mistake immediately. Liam turns around and drops the spatula when he sees me.
Instead of my normal robe and flannel bottoms, I am wearing a cropped sleep sweater and tiny bike shorts. I assumed I wouldn’t be seeing him this morning—like every morning for the last three weeks—so I hadn’t bothered to wear actual pants.
His mouth drops open a fraction before his hooded eyes find mine, and then he bends down to pick the spatula up.
