CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Maggie

 

I didn’t know how to feel about this plan when Liam called me. I was grateful that he was doing me the favour, but I wasn’t exactly keen on spending any additional time with him. Once I’d decided he wasn’t right for me, I had no interest in being in such close proximity to something I’d never have. Sure, the past few times we’d seen each other had been enjoyable. Fun, even. I’d seen a side of him I’d never seen before, and that was nice. But that’s all it was. Nice.

But in the end, grocery shopping with Liam turned out to be an adventure. I shouldn’t have been surprised. He told me so much about the different fruits and vegetables as we strolled the produce section. The properties of each, how he prepared them, what dishes he used them in. We had a similar experience at the butcher counter, where he explained the different cuts of beef, and how to know which pieces demanded to be roasted, braised, or grilled.

It was a fascinating escape into his world, and I loved watching him light up as he talked about food. It was clear how passionate he was on the topic. He dragged me into the spice section, showing me his favourites and letting me in on some of his chef secrets.

“How do you know when bread is ready?” I asked.

“Knock on the bottom. Should sound hollow.”

I nodded, eager for more.

“And how do you know how long to cook one of those massive cuts of meat?”

“Depends on the cut and desired level of doneness. It’s an x number of minutes per pound equation.”

“Amazing,” I muttered.

He grabbed my hand and dragged me to the dairy counter, where he had me try a variety of different cheeses. It seemed when you were a top chef and you shopped in the local stores, they were more than willing to let you sample. It was like my own private Saturday morning at Costco.

By the time we hit the checkout line, we were both in a great mood, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. The dread I’d been feeling about the impending evening was quickly being replaced by anticipation.

 

*

By the time we got back to my place, it was already five o’clock. Liam got set up in the kitchen, then called me in to play sous-chef.

“This is ridiculous,” I said. “I mean, I can cook, but I can’t chop like you want me to chop these.”

I was staring helplessly at a pile of carrots that he expected me to cut in these perfect diagonal ovals. He’d demonstrated for me earlier, but I’d been distracted by the way his muscles moved as he brought the knife down. It was unsettling having him back in my kitchen. I didn’t think having him around would affect me like this, but as soon as he stepped into my house, my body turned on. I put down the knife and went to open a bottle of wine.

“I gave you a knife demo last time I was here. Haven’t you been practicing?” he asked, a chastising tone in his voice.

I poured myself a glass and took a sip before pouring one for him. I passed it over, but he just took it and set it on the counter.

“Come here,” he said.

I walked over to him, anticipation heavy with each step. I could smell him and it was driving me crazy. He took my wrist, then guided me to the counter, getting behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Just like this,” he said, picking up the knife and showing me how it’s done.

I allowed myself a fraction of a second to melt into his chest. He stiffened, and I instantly regretted it. I stood up straighter, but his arm came around my waist, pulling me closer once more. I turned my head to look at him, and we just stood there, gazing into each other’s eyes. Desire enveloped us. I saw it in his eyes, and I knew mine reflected the same. He dropped the knife on the counter and took my chin in his hand.

Then the doorbell rang.

We both jumped apart as if caught in some illicit act. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would rip out of my chest.

“My parents,” I muttered.

“Yeah,” he said, running his hand through his hair. “Of course.”

I backed away from him until I hit the counter, then turned and went to answer the door. My parents barreled in, laden with shopping bags and the overpowering scent of pine air freshener. Way too much time in the RV.

“Maggie, so good to see you, sweetheart!” My mother pulled me in for a hug while my father slapped me on the back and went straight towards Liam.

“Liam, I told Maggie to have you call. You’ll never believe this incredible spice mix I found at this roadside stand. Unreal.”

My dad and Liam retreated to the kitchen to talk shop and finish prepping dinner. I stood by the door with my mother while she sorted out her multitude of shopping bags. There was another knock on the door and it cracked open, Justin sticking his head inside.

“Saw the RV and figured it was safe to assume you were here,” he said, giving my mother a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Hey,” I said. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

I went over and hugged him.

“Justin? Is that you?” my father called from the kitchen, even though they were in direct line of sight.

My brother gave my shoulder and squeeze and shot me a quizzical look before nodding his chin towards Liam. Later, I mouthed. He nodded once then went over to say hi to dad. Since Justin and Liam were now available, my mom and I decided to take a walk while the men finished making dinner.

The weather was lovely, a perfect July day. Having stopped for a few minutes to take a breather, it was hard to believe how much I’d packed into the past few hours.

“I’ve got to tell you, Maggie, I’m surprised at how much I like Liam,” my mother said, breaking the silence.

“What’s that supposed to mean? That no decent man would be attracted to me?”

“No, it’s just, well, the tattoos, the overall look—for someone who has steered clear of dating for a while, he seemed an odd choice. I was worried maybe you were just rebelling. But the more I get to know him, the more I like him. You did good, sweetheart. I’m happy you’re happy.”

“I am happy, but that doesn’t mean he’s the one, Mom. We’re having a great time together, but things do change.” I figured it best to prepare her.

“Oh, no. I can see it in the way you two look at each other. He’s crazy about you. Just as crazy as you are about him.”

We walked, our footsteps crunching on the pine-strewn path through the woods by the coach house. The trail was one of my favourite parts of living here. Anytime I needed to get back in touch with myself, refocus my energy, I had this glorious trail through the woods literally outside my front door. It offered a different sanctuary than the jigsaw puzzles.

“We’ve been having a bit of trouble lately,” I ventured.

I’m not sure why I said it. I guess I was longing for that mother-daughter bonding moment where she would give me all sorts of great advice. She gave me a sympathetic look and took my hand.

“I told you, dear. He’s a good man. Just do what makes him happy.”

So much for that.