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I’m happier when he’s around. I feel like I can be more myself. I’m an even better version of myself.
I also thinkhe’sbetter when he’s with me.
Ford stops at the front door and punches the code into the keypad. Liam crowds close to Ivy and presses a kiss to her temple.
Or hell, maybe it’s Ivy that makes him so happy.
“I had a really great time tonight,” Liam says to no one in particular as Ford pushes the door open.
Or maybe it’s Honeysuckle Harbor, I think with a sigh as I follow them inside the house.
Whatever it is, I can make all of that happen. Long term.
Liam is more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. Tonight he was laughing and talking and genuinely seemed comfortable and happy. I want that for him. I want to be a part of making that happen for him.
I know he and Ford have been talking aboutMy Fellow Aliens.He’s, of course, head over heels for Ivy.
So, all ofthis—the four of us—needs to keep happening.
I know Ford’s in.
I know Honeysuckle Harbor is in.
So I have to do whatever I can to be sure Ivy is all in.
All in on the four of us being together. Here in this town. For good.
She’s the Queen. Our Queen.
If she wants to stay here long-term, then Liam will stay.
I can so work with this.
Ford moves ahead of us, flipping on lights.
Ivy and Liam are still in the entryway. She’s bracing a hand on the wall as she slips her shoes off. Liam’s saying something to Ford. I can’t even concentrate on the words.
All that’s going through my head is my plan.
Blow Ivy’s mind. Show her how fucking good this can be. Always. Show her that she wants this. For good.
It’s already been good. So damned good. But I need to make sure she knows that she can have all of this all the time. She’s calling the shots. She holds the future in her hands.
The future for all of us.
I move swiftly as she drops her foot to the floor. I step in front of her, cup her face in my hands and turn her back to the wall.
“Hey pretty girl,” I say, pressing close.
“Hey,” she says, surprise flickering through her eyes, her voice breathless.
“Everyone loved you tonight.”
A smile tips her lips. “It was so fun.”
“Honeysuckle Harbor is enamored with you,” I tell her honestly, studying her up close.
“Do you think so?” she asks softly, almost hopefully.