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“Just tell me whatyouwant,” I said, doing my best to keep the neediness out of my voice.

There was a long pause before Layla shared, “I miss you, Liam. I’ve missed you for a long time. And yes, it’s true, I wouldn’t have come back here if it hadn’t been for my mom’s accident, but I’m here now. And seeing you again…” She shrugged, tears filling her eyes. “I left you once. I don’t think I can do it again.”

Was she saying…

“I realize how much I’ve done to hurt you,” she went on. “Cooper made me see that I’ve said lots of words to you about how I feel, but I haven’t done enough to show you. I’m not sure I deserve to have what I want now after all the heartache I put you through, but Liam, I’d really love to have the opportunity to make things right.”

There was not a single doubt in my mind that even though Layla was saying everything I’d wanted to hear for years, this wouldn’t be easy. But to have her admit that she wanted to give us another shot meant the world to me. I’d been telling myself for years that I’d do anything to be able to have another chance to do this with her. If she was willing, I wasn’t going to deny either one of us.

I squeezed her hand. “Are you sure?”

“I know it’s not going to be easy, but yes, I’m sure. I’ve missed you terribly, especially over this last month, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

It would have been impossible to quantify or simply express the sense of relief and gratitude I felt. I released her hand and wrapped my arms around her. Layla burst into tears the moment I pulled her toward me.

She scrambled into my lap, and the two of us stayed there, holding one another and allowing our emotions to get the better of us.

I didn’t care what it looked like.

I felt like I could finally breathe again.

After some time, Layla pulled her face back from my chest and tipped her chin up to meet my gaze.

I pressed two fingers to the heart pendant restingagainst her skin before allowing my fingers to drift lightly along the chain. “You kept it.”

“Of course, I did. I wore it for a long time after I left, too. Obviously, I eventually stopped at one point, because I hadn’t taken care of your real heart and didn’t think I deserved to wear it, but I could never,neverget rid of it. It means everything to me.”

My fingers crawled up the back of her neck and into her hair. Grabbing a fistful, I urged her head back and leaned in, burying my face against her neck as my emotions got the better of me.

Wrapping both arms around her, I held on tight. I needed a minute. Just one minute to let it all settle in. She was here, and she was wearing the necklace I’d given her all those years ago. It meant everything to me, too.

Though I hadn’t fully come to grips with all that was happening, I got myself under control enough to pull back and look at her.

Her expression was hesitant. “I don’t know what to do. There’s so much to work through.”

I lifted my hand to the side of her face and stroked my thumb along her cheek before I drove my hand back into her hair again. I settled my hand at the base of her skull and smiled. “We’ve got time now, though, don’t we?”

Layla offered a slight nod in response.

Smiling at her, I spoke softly. “Then there’s time. For now, for today, I only want you to be by my side as we celebrate Roselle’s birthday with the whole family.”

“Do you really think it’s okay that I stay here?”

My smile turned into a full-fledged grin. “Absolutely.”

She licked her lips, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. “Alright, Liam. We’ll do whatever you like.”

“In that case, before we return to the party, I’d love a quick taste of these lips.”

Those lips parted slightly just before I touched mine to them. And though I’d said I only wanted a quick taste, it had been a long time since I’d kissed her. So, I took my time.

And with Layla’s mouth on mine and the chance at a future together, I savored every single second.

25

LAYLA

This might be bad.