Liam couldn’t stop staring at her. She was so beautiful, and he couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen it at the airport. He’d been so blinded by his own pain over Sarah that he hadn’t been willing to consider there was someone else out there.
What were the odds that he could fall in love with two amazing women in one lifetime? He didn’t know, but he didn’t think he’d luck out a third time.
They sat across from each other at a small table for two. Beside them was a large window that showed off the ice-skating rink covered in lights. If the sun were still up, they’d probably have a view of the mountain range—not that he’d be looking at it.
Kate’s lips quirked into a soft smile as she lifted her glass of water to her lips. “I can’t believe we were the only ones who took a mistletoe picture.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I guess we’re just lucky.”
She swallowed and shook her head. “No. You’re smart. I would have never thought of it.” Her eyes lowered, and her lashes rested against her now-rosy cheeks. “Can I ask you something?”
Liam chuckled. He reached across the table and grasped her hand in his. Letting his thumb trail over her knuckles, he nodded. “Of course.”
Kate bit down on her lower lip. “Never mind. It’s silly.” She tugged on her hand, attempting to release it from his grasp, but he kept it securely within his own.
“Just ask me.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his. “What is this, exactly?”
“This?” His features pinched.
Her blush deepened, and she looked away. “I sound like a total idiot.”
“Don’t say that. What are you referring to?”
Kate sighed. “This. Whatever has developed between us over the last two days. Is it some infatuation? Something a little deeper?” Her voice dropped so that he could barely hear it. “A fling?”
His brows shot up. “What? Of course not.” He scooted in his chair and leaned closer to her. “I like you, Kate. I really like you.” The pounding in his chest couldn’t be good for his heart. He hadn’t dated anyone since Sarah, but he felt like he could finally be ready to. It had just taken finding the right girl to get him there.
Her gaze cut to his, but she didn’t respond. That didn’t seem very good. What was she thinking? He couldn’t tell if she liked the idea or if she wanted to hightail it out of there and never see him again. The not knowing was wreaking havoc with everything bouncing around in his body.
Liam finally released her hand and ran his own hand through his hair. He didn’t know what he would do if she disagreed with him. After their kiss, there was only one thing he wanted. More. Not just more kisses, but more of her. More laughter. More fun. More of Kate.
He looked away then returned his attention to her. “This—whatever it may be—is something I want to explore further. I don’t want us to go home and pretend none of this happened. I want to see where this can go.”
“I’d like that too.”
Her whispered admission caused a flood of relief to wash over him. It was hot and cold all at once, and he reveled in it. “You do?” he asked, leaning forward again. “Really? Because you don’t have to if—”
She reached across the table and placed her palm against his cheek. “Don’t tell me I don’t have to want this, whatever it is.” Her face scrunched into an adorable grimace. “That sounded so much better in my head.”
He turned his face into her hand and kissed her palm. “It sounded perfect to me.”
Their waiter arrived with their food, and their conversation died down as they began their meal. The silence wasn’t something he felt he needed to fill. It had been a long time since he’d been able to spend time with someone and be content to just be.
Her eyes met his several times across the table, and each time filled him with a thrilling spark, a yearning for something more. His phone buzzed on the table, lighting up. They both glanced at it for a moment, but he let it be. Whoever it was, they weren’t as important as the time he was spending with her. He’d respond to it later.
A few minutes passed, and it buzzed again. Kate pointed to his phone with her fork. “You can get that if you want. I’m not some crazy person who needs your attention all the time.”
Liam snickered. “I wouldn’t mind if you were, but no. I don’t need to get it. I’m here with you.”
The smile she gave him, the way her eyes brightened, confirmed he’d made the right choice. She was more important than anything or anyone who might be trying to contact him. It was probably just Tyson.
Tyson. Shoot. It probably was Tyson reminding him about the date he’d set up with Rebecca. He’d have to shut that down the second he got back to his room. Thank goodness they hadn’t gone on a date or interacted much on the phone. There would be less conflict in ending something that hadn’t even started.
When he glanced back at Kate, she was giving him a strange look. Her eyes were more squinted as she studied him, and her head was tilted slightly to the side. She held the prongs of the fork between her lips, and it was almost like she didn’t realize what she was doing.
Liam waved his hand in front of her face. “You okay?”
She jumped, her eyes more focused. “Yep.”
“Tomorrow, we have a few more events to win if you want that grand prize.”
Kate lifted a shoulder and stabbed at her salad. “You know, I don’t really care about that so much.” Her eyes darted to meet his then dropped. “I just want to spend as much time as I can with you.”
He put down his fork and brought his glass to his lips. He took a small sip. “I can’t argue with that. But what would you say if I told you that you could have both?”
As expected, her face brightened. “You’re too good for me.” Then she grew serious and looked around the room. “But seriously, where are the hidden cameras?”
“What?” he laughed.
“You know. The cameras catching all of this. You’re a plant, right? I’m being pranked.”
Liam leaned across the table again, the humor gone from his voice. “I can assure you there is no such thing. I’m as real as they come.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Then maybe you’re right.”
“Right about what?”
“Luck. You said I’m the lucky one.”
He wagged his finger at her. “No, I said we’re lucky.”
She lifted her glass toward him. “Okay. We’re lucky.” Truer words had never been spoken. He’d never argue that luck didn’t exist ever again. She motioned to his phone. “I have a strange favor to ask.”
“Oh?”
Her cheeks pinked. “I left my purse in the hotel room. Can I send my friend one of the pictures you took? The one in front of the tree outside? She’s a sucker for that sort of stuff.”
He unlocked his phone and pushed it across the table. “Of course.”
Kate grinned and retrieved the phone. She swiped through the pictures until she found the perfect one. She typed out a short message then handed the phone back. “Thank you.”
Liam grabbed his napkin from his lap and dabbed his mouth. He rose from his chair. “I’m going to run to the bathroom.” Her eyes followed him as he pushed in his chair and walked around the table. He dipped down and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “I’ll be right back.”
“You better be.”