Page 82 of Grounding the Baker
They both thanked him and watched him walk away.
“Is it just me, or does that guy get hotter each time I see him?” asked Milo.
Liam chuckled. “You’re not wrong. But look at us, both with men in their forties.”
“And how’s that going?” asked Milo with a grin.
“Ugh. Walked into that one, didn’t I?”
“You seem happy, Liam.”
“I am happy.”
“Have you told him yet?”
“Told him what?”
“That you’re in love with him.”
“What do you... no... no, I haven’t said anything yet. We’ve only been together for a month.”
“And three months of foreplay beforehand, don’t forget.”
“That was me just playing hard to get.”
“No, that was you protecting your heart, which you’re still doing now.”
“Can you blame me with my history?”
Before Milo could respond, their server appeared to take their order. Liam hadn’t even looked at the menu, but went with the burger on Milo’s recommendation. He’d already been here a few times, as he used to work nearby before he’d quit his job when his relationship with Edward had been exposed to the press. The guy had been through a tough time recently, and here was Liam being selfish.
“I should ask how you’re doing,” said Liam.
“Subtle, Liam. I’m all good, so let’s get back to you and Austin.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. He treats me like a prince. The sex is amazing. His daughter is adorable. What more do I need?”
“Are you ready to be a parent?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, prickling.
“Don’t kick off. Out of the four of us, you’re the one I saw having kids, it’s not that. I’m just worried that you haven’t stopped since your mum died. You dropped everything to move home. You’ve had to run the bakery because your dad needed time to grieve. The way you left your job was abrupt, and they treated you like shit. Now you’re in a relationship where there’s a kid, who willalways come first.”
“I don’t understand what you’re getting at, Milo. You make it sound like I had a choice in any of that.”
“You’re missing my point, Liam.”
“Stop messing about and just tell me.”
“It’s April, Liam. Your mum’s only been gone for four months. Have you stopped and given yourself time to grieve yet?”
Liam felt his eyes fill. “I miss her every day.”
Milo grabbed his hand. “I know you do. It’s just, you’ve been there for everyone else these past few months, and now you’re in a new relationship. I’ve known you a long time, Liam, and I don’t think you’ve properly grieved yet. I know many people say they understand what you’re going through, and a lot of it feels like platitudes to make themselves feel better, but Idoknow what you’re going through.”
Liam couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Milo had lost his mum when he was a teenager, but it didn’t really hit him until they’d been at university together. Was it going to suddenly hit Liam down the road? He missed his mum every single day. Whenever he was baking in that kitchen, he thought of her, and he’d cried plenty when she died and after the funeral. He didn’t want to think of things getting more painful.
“Have you talked to Austin about it?” asked Milo gently. He’d moved over to Liam’s side of the booth and had his arm around him.
