He unlocks the door and allows me the time to take it in. “It’s magnificent,” I say hushed, careful not to wake Aara. She’s napped for about an hour, but if she doesn’t wake on her own time, she’s a beast.

“Look around. I’m going to bring the bags up.”

I nod and start to explore. The kitchen has been recently updated and has beautiful black granite countertops with country white cabinets. I walk forward and the windows make me stop short. Beautiful, cream, satin fabric drapes across the glass and pools on the ground making the blue ocean look bluer. I know I have the view of the ocean at home, but it’s as if I’ve never seen this ocean before.

I hold Aarabelle who’s fast asleep in my arms and look out at the sea before us. I hear Liam come down the stairs and feel him behind me. His arms wrap around my torso and we both stand looking out.

“Beautiful,” he whispers.

“Yeah, it is.”

“I was talking about you.”

My heart is buoyant and his warmth cocoons me. I lean against his chest and cherish this moment. There’s so much I want to say, but this is enough right now. Being in his arms, away from all the shit at home, just spending time with Liam and Aarabelle. This is contentment.

“You ready?” Liam yells from downstairs. He’s had Aarabelle for the last hour while I’ve gotten ready for dinner. I assume she hasn’t peed or pooped since I haven’t heard massive amounts of cursing or Aarabelle screaming.

“Almost!”

I have a white eyelet dress on with my hair in a low twist. I spent extra time shaving every inch of my legs and making sure I didn’t miss anything. If we do end up where I hope we do, I want to be as perfect as possible.

Standing before the mirror, I look at myself and smile. This trip was everything I needed. I feel alive and refreshed. After we got settled into the house, we took a walk on the beach. Liam carried Aarabelle while I held on to his arm. Aara was giggly, especially when Liam started to run into the water with her. She would squeal and laugh, then he would run back out.

A part of my heart became his in that moment. I’m hoping tonight another part will be his as well.

“I’m going to eat baby food soon!” Liam’s loud voice carries through the halls.

Men.

I grab my bag and head down the stairs.

“I’m ready. Sheesh,” I chide as I enter the living room area.

Liam stands there with his khaki pants and navy blue shirt. The muscles in his arms tug at the fabric, stretching it so the shirt looks almost uncomfortable. His blue eyes are deeper than normal, but still mesmerizing. The scruff he usually has is clean-shaven and his beanie that I love so much is missing. He’s ridiculously sexy.

“I’m not going to make it through dinner,” Liam grumbles.

“What?”

“Can’t you wear sweatpants?” he asks, looking at my legs.

I scoff, “I’m not wearing sweatpants to dinner. I got dressed up, you’re going to have to learn to control yourself, Mister I’m-so-superior.”

Of course there’s a part of me that’s more than giddy that he seems to be having a hard time with my dress. I didn’t wear it to drive him crazy, but it’s a perk. I forgot what it was like to have a man’s sole attention be you. How it makes you feel when you’re desired. Liam awoke that inside me. He brought the woman in me back to life.

When I turn around, his breath hitches. The dress is a halter top, and the back drops to the small of my back.

“Fuck no,” Liam says and gently grips my arm. “Please tell me you have a sweater or a poncho for that dress.”

I turn slowly with a sly smile. “Nope. It’s warm out.”

“I’m gonna need a minute.” He lets out a deep breath and holds Aarbelle out for me to take.

I grab her and laugh, “Come on, Dreamboat. Let’s go eat before you lose your mind.”

We head over to a small seafood restaurant, which seems to be one of the only places in town. Liam had to stop for gas and we grabbed a town map. Tomorrow we plan to use the beach cruisers that we found in the house and check out the other local spots.

They seat us at a table by the windows with an ocean view. Aarabelle sits in the highchair between us.

“Mamamamama,” she says looking at Liam.

“I’m not your mama. I’m the fun one.”

“Fun? You tied her up.”

“And she lived and didn’t pee all over.”

I shake my head, “It’s okay, my love. Liam doesn’t know how to handle a little diaper,” I mock him and Aarabelle is her happy self.

Liam looks off and Aarabelle yells, bringing his attention back to her.

“Someone is just like her mommy,” his playful voice is animated. “I see you.” Liam gives Aara his hand and she slaps it a few times.

He gives her his attention and I sit in awe. They say the way to a man’s heart is his stomach, but mine is Aarabelle. She’s my world. There is nothing else that matters other than my daughter. A man can leave, die, cheat, but she’ll always be my child. Loving and accepting her is not only important, but without it, no man will ever have me.

Our food arrives and we eat and make small talk. I tell Liam about some of the things I’ve been handling at work and he tells me about the stupid things the teams have done. I laugh at his new game with Quinn of who’s the stronger one. It seems to be helping him with working out on a schedule again.

“Aarabelle’s birthday is coming up. Are you going to do a party?” Liam asks once we’ve finished dinner.

“I want to do something fun. Jackson said he and Catherine would fly in and I know my parents will come too. I should probably start planning.”

I have some time, but Liam’s known me long enough to know that my parties are Martha Stewart on crack. I go overboard and love to have extravagant events with each minute detail planned. Usually it takes me about a month to hand-make all the decorations. I have issues.

“I would volunteer to help but . . .” he trails off. “I’ve been to your shindigs . . . and I’ll bring the beer.”

“I don’t think so,” I state with a smile. “You’re with me, you have to help.”

Liam mumbles under his breath as the waitress brings the check.

We decide to take another walk on the beach since it’s beautiful out. Liam pays the bill and lifts Aarabelle into his arms.

“Come on, sweetheart.” He stands with his hand extended.

I place my hand in his and we exit to the beach. Liam has Aarabelle in his one arm and wraps his other around me. I walk surrounded by him as his body shields me from the wind. This is one of the things I love most. We don’t have to talk. Liam is okay with the silence and so am I. Neither of us has the need to fill the quiet, we can simply find comfort in each other.

As we walk, Aarabelle tucks her head onto his shoulder and he protects her. My heart fills with love watching him care for her. He loves Aara and I love him. I’ve always cared for him as a friend, but today there’s no doubt that my feelings of friendship have formed into something much deeper.

“Liam,” I say tenderly.

He stops and we face each other. I want to tell him. I want him to know how much I care.