Page 92 of Point Proven
My fiancé.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
SIMON
Helping Liam settle on the couch, I handed him the remote, a blanket, and a Coke. Propping a pillow beside him, I ran my fingers through his hair, scratching lightly with my nails. “We’ll be in the art room just through those doors. If you need anything, just call out for me. You should be able to see us, and you’re more than welcome to join at any time too.”
I wasn’t sure whether this was harder for him or for me, but it sure felt difficult to leave him in another space without me in it. Was it separation anxiety? Trauma? PTSD? Fuck, I didn’t know, but I stroked through his dirty-blonde locks again.
He offered me a sleepy smile, having taken some pain medication before we arrived. “I’ll be okay. Go have fun, Sai.”
Pressing a soft kiss to his temple, I basked in that familiar oceanic scent before pulling away. “Okay, but if you need me, I’ll just?—”
His fingers slipped around the collar of my shirt as he pulled me toward him, our lips meeting for a gentle kiss. Keeping me there for a handful of seconds, he reluctantly pulled back, brushing his thumb across my cheek. “You’ll just be right next door. I know, honey.”
Is that the first time he’s called me something other than Sai?
Leaning into his touch, I dipped my chin as a smile graced my features. “Say that word again.”
He returned my expression, fingers brushing across my waistline.“Honey.”
“Mhm… I like that. I like that?—”
“Simon! Get your ass in here before Lev arrives. He’ll eat all of the macadamia nut cookies as soon as he gets here, and I’d like to know your thoughts.”
I chuckled. “Cookie tester. Going to add that to the resume.”
As I moved to step away, Liam caught my wrist. “I’m sorry it took me so long to figure out a pet name for you. I just… wanted it to be perfect.”
“You could call me dipshit, and I would think it’s the hottest word on the planet, Liam. Anything you tell me is beautiful, but I will admit, I do like honey…”
He laughed softly, his gaze slipping from mine as if he were embarrassed. “I picked it because… because honey has been used to heal wounds, and you… You’ve saved me so many times…”
A lump formed in my throat, but not from sadness. This harbored a different connotation, one that meanteverything. “Sunshine… That… that’s what I’m here for, to protect you and heal you from the things your past has taken. You don’t have to thank me for that… I haven’t done anything outside of what I will always do for you.”
Dipping his chin, he nipped at his bottom lip. “I know you won’t accept my thanks, so the least I can do is pick something that fits not only your demeanor and the type of person you are but also contains my gratitude for all you do.”
“It’s perfect. Just like you because?—”
“Simon,please! I need someone to try one before they get here!”
I huffed, stuffing my hand into my pocket. “I’ll be back soon, Liam. Pray for my sanity.”
He squeezed my hand once. “Good luck,honey.”
Grinning, I headed toward Oren, but the unmistakable ring of the front door sounded. My best friend popped his head out of the art room, a frown coating his features. Pointing at me, he walked toward the front. “Go try afuckingcookie while I stall.”
The chime of the front door opening kicked me into gear as I headed into Oren’s sacred space, scanning for the plate of cookies. I found it next to his paint palette, and I snatched one from the porcelain. Stuffing it into my mouth, I almost moaned from how good it was.
He needed to stop doubting his baking abilities and cooking skills. Oren was a fucking menace in the kitchen, butdamn, everything he made tasted like a slice of heaven.
“Lev! You came!” Oren’s voice broke through my munching. “How… How about a drink before we…”
Silence followed, and it was my turn to slip from the room to find LevandMatt entering the house.
Oren cleared his throat. “Oh, Matt, I didn’t… didn’t realize you were coming.”
“Is Thorne here?”
