“She’s done a few small movies recently, and I guess someone thinks she’s ready for the big leagues.”
“Well, that makes two of you. You’ll look incredible together.
People are going to lose their minds.”
He pauses. “Listen, Liss, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“I have something to talk to you about, too. That’s why I called.”
“Okay.”
“Since I got your last message, I’ve been wanting to tell you . . . Well, I need you to know that . . .” As I get closer to the fountain I see a group of people setting up for a photo shoot. Over to the side I spy the back of a particularly gorgeous male model. My whole body flushes at the sight of him.
Helloooo, handsome.
I frown. That back is awfully familiar. “Wait, Liam. Where are you?”
“Uh . . . talking to you on the phone.”
“Yes, but where? In L.A.?”
“Actually, no. I’m back in New York for the weekend. I have a photo shoot for some entertainment magazine. So strange.”
“You’re shooting in Central Park?”
He pauses. “Yes. How did you know that?”
I smile. “Turn around and look halfway up the stairs.”
He turns and scans the crowd behind him. When he sees me, his face goes through such a range of emotions, I have trouble deciphering them all. Finally, he gives me the most dazzling smile I’ve ever seen. He strides toward me, and I head toward him, and when I reach the bottom of the stairs, I launch myself into his arms. I swear we both stop breathing as we wrap around each other in the world’s tightest hug.
“Liss.” It not even a word. Just a sigh.
“Hey, you.” I’m so happy I could cry. He feels just as good as I remember. Smells even better.
I dig my fingers into his back as he breathes against my neck, “God, I’ve missed you. A lot. More than I should.”
“Likewise. I can’t believe you’re here. And I’m here.”
He pulls back and shakes his head without looking at me. “Finding each other randomly in the middle of Central Park? Yeah. That sounds about right for us.” He glances over his shoulder, then back at me. “Listen, we’re about to start shooting, but I . . . I really need to talk to you. Can you meet me somewhere? After?”
“Of course. Call me when you’re done. I’ll be around.”
“Okay. Sure.” He shuffles his feet, and it’s clear he doesn’t want to go. I don’t want him to go, either. After our being apart for so long, having him close is intoxicating. He studies my face, like he’s trying to figure out what to do. I really want him to kiss me, but I understand that he’s working. It can wait until we’re alone.
“Mr. Quinn?” We turn to see a scrawny kid in skinny jeans and Chucks hovering nearby. “We’re almost ready for you.”
“Thanks. Be right there.” The boy disappears, and when Liam turns back to me, his face is drawn.
“Mr. Quinn, huh?”
He gives me a wry smile. “Yep. I hate it.”
“Well, get used to it. It won’t be long before we’re all calling you that.”
I expect him to smile, but he doesn’t. Instead, he takes my hands and mutters, “I’d better go.”
“Liam, wait. I just need to—” I take a step forward and look up at him. “We can talk about this more when you’re done, but I just want you to know . . .” This would have been so much easier on the phone. I get all turned around when I’m this close to him and he’s staring at me with those incredible eyes. I glance down at his fingers wrapped around mine, and I’m hit with the same sense of rightness I always feel when we touch. Our hands look perfect together. They feel perfect. Seeing that helps me find my words. “I know we said we wouldn’t do the long-distance thing, but . . . I can’t stop thinking about your last message, and you need to know that I—”
“Liss, you don’t have to—”
“Wait a sec, just let me say this before I lose my nerve, okay?” I take a breath and look up at him. “I’ve never met anyone like you, and I doubt I ever will. Recently I’ve come to the conclusion that life’s too short not to spend it with the people we love and . . . I love you.” I laugh and shake my head. “Wow, it feels weird to say that out loud. But I’m not saying it just because you said it. I promise. I’m saying it because I mean it, and I’ve been dying to tell you. I know that making things work when we’re so far away from each other will be tough, but . . . I want to try. If you do.”
His jaw tightens, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he was on the verge of tears. His hands clench and release around mine, and I search his face as he swallows heavily.
“Liam?”
“Liss, I—”
The production assistant appears again, more nervous than before. “Mr. Quinn. We really need you to come now. Please, sir.”
Liam turns to glare at him. “I’ll be there in a second.” His expression makes the boy scurry away.