“Good answer,” the woman preened and leaned forward once more. “Ashley, is Liam a boxers or briefs man?”
“I do not believe that it is appropriate for you to ask me about my husband’s underwear preferences – nor does this have anything to do with hockey,” Ashley said cooly, giving her a stern and protective look. “All I can tell you is that you willneversee them.”
And Liam’s bark of laughter, followed by his proud smile, was everything.
“My queen has spoken,” he said pointedly in a hushed voice, giving Ashley a nod of approval – to which she lifted her chin slightly almost as if to say,‘I dare you to ask me something else dirty because I’ll shut you down again…’
“Liam, tell me about Ashley…” the woman began, taking the pressure of the interview off of Ashley and focusing it on him – and Ashley gave Liam’s hand a little squeeze and tossed him a smirk as if to say, ‘You’re up, Buddy!’… and he gave a little knowing laugh.
“What can I say?” Liam began, blushing slightly. “I saw her and couldn’t resist asking what her name was. I mean, it was instant chemistry. I saw her and knew I was going to marry this woman…” and he pulled her hand up to his lips, kissing the back of it.
“Isn’t he a gentleman?” Ashley replied politely, fighting back laughter because everything Liam said was ultimately factual, almost step by step. “We met, were suddenly talking marriage, and neither of us looked back.”
“It’s true,” Liam grinned at Ashley… and then he broke. He started chuckling and giving her a sideways look, unable to help himself. She started laughing softly, realizing he was cracking under the pressure because it was funny – and true.
Everythingwas true – and not one person there or watching the interview had any inkling of it. They could have said anything, made up any story, and this woman, who had obviously not done her homework about them, was nodding and gobbling up the stuff as factual. Anyone else would have asked them specific, pointed, factual questions.
“You all make an adorable couple,” the woman gushed happily, loving their image of a couple as Liam bent his head toward Ashley, trying to stop laughing, pulling himself together. “Ashley, what is your favorite thing about Liam?”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Ashley began, grinning and exchanging a look. Maybe they could have a little fun with this interview between them? “Liam is so unpredictable that he keeps me on my toes - constantly. I just never know what he’s going to say or do next.”
“And she goes along with me,” Liam volunteered, matching her smile and sharing a look as he winked. “It’s gotta be my good looks – or the hockey uniform.”
“Maybe a little of both?” Ashley said slyly, not wanting to insult the man because she did think he was gorgeous, but admitting you have a crush on television wasn’t something she really wanted to do.
“We’ll go with the uniform,” Liam volunteered, resting his hand on her knee again and giving it a little squeeze. “Let’s get back to hockey, eh? You keep asking my wife all the questions, and frankly, I’m a little jealous. You can’t like my wife more than I do – trust me – that’s not possible.”
Ashley gave him a sideways look, to which Liam immediately smiled indulgently, playing it off like it was nothing.
“Sorry honey – I want to talk about our new team,” Liam apologized publicly, bringing her hand to his lips once more. Ashley smiled, nodded, and remained silent— grateful for Liam’s reprieve. The interviewer had been asking Ashley very leading questions – and he effectively steered the interview back to him, taking all the pressure from her.
Whew!
Two days later, Ashley landed in Minneapolis and was walking through the terminal to her next gate, her next assignment, when her phone beeped. That seemed odd because she rarely got text messages except the occasional one from Liam asking where something was at the house. Usually, it wasn’t pressing because she was hard to reach sometimes, and pulling out her phone, she hesitated.
Congratulations! Your credit score just increased.
Good job paying off your balance.
“What?” Ashley whispered aloud, stunned – and then quickly clicked on her credit card app to see what her balance was, wondering if they’d just closed her account on her. She’d made a large payment toward the balance, but it was nowhere close to being paid off. She stared as the balance was zero. Checking the history, right there in the middle of the airport, she gaped before closing her eyes in comprehension.
Liam.
“Hey, chicka,” Adrian called out nearby, catching up with her. “Are you on the Reno flight?”
“No,” Ashley replied quickly, hiding her phone and giving him a hesitant smile. “I’m heading to Las Vegas and then back home again.”
“Good to see you,” he nodded and then paused. “And how was your date with our handsome fella? I hope youdideverything that Iwoulddo – and that you never would…”
“Imarriedhim,” she interrupted – and saw his mouth drop open before he burst out laughing wildly as people continued to walk around them, rushing to their gates.
“Shut up! No, you didn’t.”
“I’m serious.”
“Sure, you are…”
“No, seriously. We got married.”
