Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,383

enjoy the time I have with him.

“There’s this guy that I have kind of had a thing for, for a while now,” Hailey speaks into the darkness of the quiet room. “He doesn’t see me the same way, but I would give anything for him to look at me the way my brother looks at you.” She reaches over and grabs my hand. “I’m so glad he has you and that you and I have become friends. Both of our lives have been changed because of you.”

“I love you both,” I whisper through the cloud of tears in my eyes. Neither one of us says anymore as we drift off to sleep.

Chapter 28

Liam

Let’s just say last night sucked. It took me what seemed like hours to fall asleep and here I am wide awake at six in the damn morning. I’m so used to sleeping with my girl by my side that it’s not possible for me to get a full night’s sleep without her. I remember her telling me she had to be up early to put in the turkey, so I decide to text her.

Me: Good morning, beautiful.

I hold my phone tight against my chest anxiously waiting for her reply which comes rather quickly considering the time.

Allison: Good morning. Missed you last night.

Me: I missed you too, baby. Did I wake you?

Allison: No, I am up had to put the turkey in can’t get back to sleep.

Me: Can I come over?

Allison: Please.

I hop out of bed, pull on a t-shirt and sweats, and head out. I open the door and run into a sleepy Aiden.

He looks at me confused. “Where are you going?” he asks, still half asleep.

I show him my phone, which has a picture of Allison on the screen. “Allie’s up, she’s putting the turkey on and can’t get back to sleep, so I’m going over to keep her company.” That’s my story anyway. I know if I tell him I can’t stand to be away from her a minute longer he would razz me about it all day. Although by the look in his eye, he already knows the real reason.

“What time is it?” he asks, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“It’s a little after six.” I step to the left to walk around him and hear him chuckle behind me.

“Whipped bastard,” he mutters as he laughs.

“Love sick bastard,” I call back to him. Might as well call a zebra a zebra and not a horse, I’m madly in love with the girl and want to be with her every second of the day.

Allison’s waiting at the door for me when I get there. I immediately pick her up and hold her close. She buries her face in my neck. “I missed you,” I whisper in her ear.

She leans away, and I set her back on her feet. “Come in, I made coffee and cinnamon rolls.”

We end up in the den, her on my lap, eating cinnamon rolls and drinking coffee. At a little after seven, Allie hears Gran starting to stir, so she goes to help her out of bed and into the den. While she does that, I make Gran a plate of fresh fruit and oatmeal and pour her a cup of black coffee. I have everything ready and waiting on the TV tray beside her chair by the time they make their way into the den.

“Liam—How did? How did you know?” Allison asks me.

I shrug my shoulders. “I pay attention and I listen when you talk.”

She carefully helps Gran into her chair, then turns and launches herself at me. I catch her in my arms and hug her tight. “I love your hugs,” she whispers to me. She pulls back and touches her hand to my face. “I love you more every day, you’re amazing.” Then she kisses me.

She kisses me full on lips with tongue right in front of her gran. I’m not sure how her gran feels about intimate displays of affection, and I don’t want to disrespect her, but there’s no way I can tell Allison no. We’ll just have to ask for forgiveness later. Allison pulls away and smiles at me. I’m lost in her eyes, the emotion I see in them. She finally breaks the trance when she pulls me to the couch and plops down beside me, never letting go of my hand.

“Allie girl, can you get me my medication?” Gran asks her. Allison nods, gets up, and walks toward the kitchen.

I’m a little