“You’re afraid of doing what he did, aren’t you?” I put a hand on his arm. “Liam, you won’t. You’re much stronger than that. You’re incapable of hurting a fly.”
He nods to the street. “Light’s green.”
I turn down a residential street and pass several driveways with entry gates. “Wow, swanky area. Some of these rival Dirk’s house.”
“Stop!” he shouts.
I slam on the brakes, heart pounding. “What?”
He points to one of the driveways. The gate is closed and large gold letters span both sides of it that spell YOUNG.
“You don’t think this is Garrett’s house, do you?”
The gate opens, and a Porsche drives out. He waits for me to go, but I wave him on.
“It’s his house all right,” Liam says. “That was his brother.”
“I thought you’ve never met.”
“Saw him at a bar last month. Garrett punched him.”
“You guys really are full of secrets, aren’t you?”
Ten minutes later, we’re seated at a Mexican restaurant. “Drinks?” the waitress asks. “We have two-for-one margaritas.”
I raise an eyebrow at Liam, who says, “Not if you plan to do any more driving.”
“I’ll have water,” I say, trying not to pout. The waitress leaves. “Since when did you become so responsible?”
“Since I have something to lose.”
He gazes at me intently. It’s like he’s shot an arrow into my heart, claiming me as his. I lace our fingers together. “Same.”
“Ronni told us something this morning.”
I pull away. “Way to ruin a good moment.”
“I was actually trying to make it better.”
“How so?”
“They’re trying to schedule a tour for next year. A US tour. As in the whole country.”
“Really? That’s incredible.” I narrow my eyes. “I can’t believe you waited two whole hours to tell me.”
“I was waiting for the right time.” He cracks his knuckles, something I’ve seen him do when he gets nervous. “Come with me.”
My bottom lip is pulled between my teeth.
“You know you want to, El. Say yes.”
“Next year is a long way off. You have no idea what will happen between now and then.”
“You mean between us.” He leans back. “You think I’m going to dump you?”
“I don’t know.”
He lets out a sigh. “You think because I haven’t said the words, I don’t plan on keeping you around.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what? Is it what I said in the car about kids?”
I shake my head.
“Tell me, Ella. We said we’d be honest with each other.”
I want to call him out, tell him I know he’s keeping something from me, but I don’t. “It’s a big commitment to make for something that’s not happening until next year.”
“You think I’m afraid of commitments, don’t you?” He takes my hand. “But asking you to go on tour should prove I’m not.”
Food is placed on our table.
“Say yes, El.”
The waitress says, “Honey, I don’t know what he’s selling, but look at that face. You’d be crazy not to say yes.”
“I’m not giving up my career to follow you, Liam. I love what I do and don’t intend to stop.”
“I would never ask you to. Come on,” he says, his mouth twitching into a wry grin. “Even the waitress thinks you should.”
I finger my necklace, deep in thought. “Yes.”
The lady glances at me, then him. “Did you just get engaged?”
Liam chokes. “Uh, no.”
“Darn,” she says. “You know what? I’m going to give you a free slice of pie anyway. You seem like a nice couple.”
She walks away, leaving us speechless. We’re practically drowning in awkwardness. Then Liam starts laughing, and I join in.
“Just so you know,” he says. “If I ever ask anyone to marry me, it sure as hell won’t be at a Mexican restaurant over a glass of water.”
“In front of a waitress,” I add.
“At least we get a free slice of pie,” he says, and we laugh harder.
He seems carefree and happy. He’s joking about proposals. This man, who was so deeply hurt by his father that he believes he’s a freak of nature, is joking about proposals.
He’s still holding my hand. My left hand. As his thumb rubs up and down my ring finger, I wonder if he’s thinking that someday it could be possible.
Back in the car, we talk about going on tour again.
“Do you think you’ll play stadiums and arenas?” I ask.
“It would be surreal to play for a huge audience, like when we opened for White Poison—only we’d be the main band. I’ve dreamed about it since I was a kid.”
“I’m happy for you.”
He puts a hand on my leg. “I’m glad you’re going to be there.”