Chapter 13: A Child?
Riley’s body tensed. She tried to ignore him.
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Rose nudged her, winking mischievously. “You haven’t seen Liam in years. Go chat with him and help him in the kitchen.”
Riley knew what she meant and couldn’t refuse. She walked towards the kitchen, feeling *awkward.
“Wh…what can I do?” she stammered, avoiding his gaze.
Liam chuckled softly, saying nothing. Riley looked up, meeting his eyes.“Why are you laughing?”
Liam shook his head, approaching her. A wave of cool, minty scent enveloped her, making her instinctively step back.
Afraid of me?” he asked.
Riley shook her head, embarrassed. She wasn’t afraid; she just hadn’t figured out how to face him.
Liam extended his arms.“Roll
up my sleeves.”
Riley, flustered, adjusted his cuffs. She’d grown taller and was reaching his chest. Liam looked down at her.
Her cheeks were flushed, her long, dark lashes cast shadows on her fair skin. The overhead light illuminated the fine down on her cheeks. Liam’s dark eyes glinted, his Adam’s apple bobbing as if he were suppressing something.
Finally, Riley was done. Liam’s eyes cleared, and he
smiled.“Thank you.”
Riley murmured, “You’re welcome. Can I help with anything else?”
He pointed to the tomatoes on the counter.“Chop them into chunks, please?”
Riley washed her hands and started chopping.“What are we making tonight?
“Beef stew, your favorite.”
Riley paused, her vision blurring slightly. Then, her fingertip stung. She gasped.
“Don’t move.”
Liam dropped his spatula, grabbed her injured finger, and
and sucked on it.
A rush of blood surged through Riley, her face burning.“You…you….”
She tried to pull him away. Liam held her finger, his warm breath on her skin. She felt intensely hot.
“Does it hurt?” he asked.
Riley shook her head. He released her finger when the bleeding stopped, applying her a bandage.
Riley was surprised.“How did you have a bandage on hand?”
Liam smiled. “A child always gets hurts, so I keep them on hand.”
Riley froze. Liam was married with a child. The warmth she’d felt vanished.
She said faintly, “Oh. I probably can’t help you anymore. I’m sorry.”
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Chapter 13 A CHE
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Lim smiled. “It’s fine. Go chat with Grandma. I’ll be done soon.” He reached out to ruffle her hair.
Riley instinctively stepped back, avoiding his touch, and left the kitchen. Liam’s hand froze in mid–air, a wry smile on his face. She was still acting like a child.
Night fell, Riley left Rose’s house. Rose was worried about her safety and asked Liam, who was playing chess with his grandpa, to drive her. Riley refused, walking towards the front gate. She didn’t know how to be alone with Liam.
It was completely dark, and it was a long walk to the bus stop. Riley checked her phone – nine o’clock. It’d take over an hour to reach the stop.
A car approached, its headlights shining on her. She shielded her eyes, squinting. The car seemed familiar, but she couldn’t remember.
Before she could figure it out, the car stopped beside her. The window rolled down, revealing Liam’s face.
Their eyes met. Riley’s heart skipped a beat.
“Get in,” he said.
Riley hesitated. “No, I’m almost at the bus stop.”
“There’s no bus here. Get in. I’ll drive you.”
Seeing Liam’s determined expression, she said softly, “Thank you, Mr. Fowler.” She reached for the passenger seat door. The driver said, “Miss Aldrin, please sit in the back with Mr. Fowler.”
Riley opened the back door and sat beside Liam.
He looked at her.“Where?”
“The university.”
Liam gave
the driver the address and started working on his laptop. The ride was quiet. Riley looked out at the city lights.
“Do you have a career path in mind?” Liam asked.
Riley thought of telling her mother she wanted to go to Washington, but hesitated
“No.”
“Have you considered it?”
“No.”
Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, he returned to his work. The tapping of his keyboard filled the car. Riley discreetly watched him. His long, strong fingers moved rhythmically, each keystroke seeming to resonate within her.
She remembered him holding her hand in the kitchen, sucking on her injured finger. A blush
rept onto her cheeks.
“Hot?” Liam asked, though his eyes remained on his laptop.
Riley felt embarrassed, clutching her bag tightly.“Not really.”
Mam looked up.“Why is your face so red?”
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Chapter 13: A Child?
Even more embarrassed, she stammered, “It’s a bit hot.”
Liam told the driver, “Lower the air conditioning.”
“Yes, Mr. Fowler.”
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At the university gate, Riley said, “Mr. Fowler,
Fowler, thank you for the ride.” Liam looked at her with a hint of exasperation in his eyes.“Riley, do you have to? You used to call me Liam.”
Riley lowered her gaze.“I was young and silly back then. Now I’m older…”
She reached for the door handle, but Liam grabbed her wrist.
