Page 115 of The Design of Goodbye
“Are you sure she’s going to show up?”
“She hasn’t missed a show in over seventeen years,” I said a little harshly. “Shewillbe there.”
“But are...”He paused, deep in thought. “Are you sure you want to enter a collection that’s basically your mom’s?”
Immediately, I knew the answer. For more than five years, I’d dreamed of the competition and the challenge it would give me—to finally stop helping my mom with her pieces and focus on myself. To finally prove to myself I had ideas.
That Iwasa fashion designer.
But life didn’t always go according to plans or dreams.
“No,” I said. “But this is theonlychance to get my mom back. And I want her back more than the accomplishment of making my own original pieces. Do you understand?”
“I do.” He bit his lip and stared at the floor in contemplation. “But would you be okay with your decision if she doesn’t show up?”
There wasno wayshe wouldn’t. But while I’d convinced myself over the past few weeks she was going to attend the Harbor Fashion Show, I wasn’t positive. I’d never thought she’d abandon me, so how could I be sure she was going to be there?
“I don’t know.” I slumped against my desk.
“I hope I didn’t upset you.”
“You didn’t.” I grabbed his hands, loosely interlacing our fingers together, pulling him closer as I did. “You make me think. It’s a good thing.”
“Okay, if—” He yawned. “Sorry.”
Guilt filled me. He should be sleeping, and here I was, keeping him up. “We should go to bed.”
“You sure?” He blinked.
“I’m sure.”
I disappeared into my bathroom to get ready but soon realized my mistake. Thebodice. My dad had laced me into it hours ago, and there was no way I’d be able to get it off myself. I tried anyway but couldn’t even manage to loosen the thin rope.
“Liam, can—” I opened my bathroom door but immediately went speechless.
Because he was shirtless.
Oh my god.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his bare skin, the waistband of his sweatpants. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay,” he said, completely oblivious to my staring. Once his pajama shirt was—sadly—on, he walked over to me. “What’s up?”
“I can’t untie the bodice,” I said, turning around. “Can you help?”
Soon, he was behind me. “Good thing I showed up, huh?”
I only nodded because I couldn’t think.
All I could focus on were hisfingersand how soft they were as he untied the thin rope. How, each time he touched my bare skin, I shivered. I had goose bumps everywhere. Oh my—
“Done,” he said. “Good?”
“Yes,” I breathed. “I can do the rest.”
His warm breath caressed my bare shoulder. “Can I kiss you?”
I shivered. Faced him. “I thought you were tired.”
