Chapter 167
I roll my eyes – mostly to stop myself from melting. “I do ask her. She just never answers directly.”
He hums as I dip a strawberry into melted chocolate. “You know, this whole domestic goddess thing you’ve got going on right now is extremely hot.”
“Please. You’ve seen me nearly set a toaster on fire.”
“Still hot.”
I try not to smile too hard as I swirl the strawberry in the chocolate and hold it up to the light like it’s a work of art. “She hasn’t been eating. Like, at all. Normally she’d at least nibble on something I made or order her overpriced Italian. But now? Nothing. It’s like she’s trying to disappear.”
Liam’s expression softens. “Then don’t let her.”
I glance at the screen. He says it like it’s simple. Like everything is that black and white. And maybe it is. But I don’t say that.
I nod and reach for another strawberry, even though the worry hasn’t quite left my chest. “Besides, I feel like I’m being robbed here. It’s my divine right to defend her honour. Slash his tires. Hex his hockey gear. Sabotage his shampoo.
Liam squints. “Hey!”
I smirk. “Oh, right. Superstitions. Forgot.”
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“And he’s my teammate. You can’t go around cursing people’s products. Especially his gear.”
“I could if you didn’t believe it would actually work.”
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He shakes his head with a smile and mutters something about there being ‘power in the tongue‘. Absolutely ridiculous if you ask me.
Then I think of the reason Tessa was so mad at me not too long ago, realise the hypocrisy in my thoughts, and take a few mental steps back. My tone softens. “Do you remember the day I got your number from Tessa? And we went to the amusement park right after?”
“Obviously,” he says, grinning. “You still keep our photo booth pics in your wallet. I checked.”
“You what?”
“Technically, it’s joint property now. My face is on the photo.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“And yet, you’re still here.” His grin deepens. “You should be more honest, love. Admit it – I’m the best decision you’ve ever made.”
I bite back a smile. “Best is a bit of a stretch. At least top fifty.”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
But then the smile fades. “I never told you what happened before that. Zane… he used his spare key. Let himself into the bakery before opening. He basically cornered me and kept going on about how I…” I stop, heat creeping up my neck. “He wanted to invite you to the
wedding. It was pretty uncomfortable.”
Liam’s grin drops instantly.
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“I didn’t tell Tessa at first. But I felt sick with guilt, so eventually I did. That’s why she was so mad at me when we left for Chicago.”
His expression shifts- not all at once, but slowly. Like a storm cloud building in the distance.
“Did you change the locks?” he asks.
“What?”
“The bakery, Emilia.” His voice is low, clipped. “Did you change the locks?”
I open my mouth. Then close it.
–
I want to say yes. I meant to. I remember thinking about it, making a mental note. But everything happened so fast the wedding, Becca, coming back here – I genuinely can’t remember if I followed through.
“I… maybe?” I chew on my lip. “I meant to. I think I did. I just…”
“Emilia.”
It’s not harsh. But it’s the kind of tone that wraps around your spine and makes you pay attention. Steady. Grounding. All Liam.
“I’ll call someone first thing tomorrow,” I say quickly. “I promise.”
Liam exhales through his nose, jaw tense. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll send someone. You don’t need to do anything.”
“Liam-”
“You shouldn’t have to think twice about your safety. Not at home. Not at work.” He swallows. “You should’ve changed the locks the moment he crossed the line.”
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“I know,” I say quietly. “I just… it all happened so fast.”
His eyes flick down, and his tone lowers. “Those scratches on your arm. The bandaid on your palm. That was him, wasn’t it?”
It takes a second to click. Then I remember the slip, the way Zane grabbed me, the fall, the knife-
Twince. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry,” Liam says, eyes like steel now. “You just need to know. Next time he uses a key, I’ll be the one answering the door.”
Something in my chest pulls tight. I look down, trying to gather
myself, and reach for a chocolate–covered strawberry. I hum softly after the first bite. “God, this is so good.”
He watches me with a faint smile, but I can tell he hasn’t let it go.
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Chapter 168
