Page 51 of Rejected Heart
He’d put on a few extra pounds of muscle—his arms, shoulders, and chest a bit more solid than before.
Wearing nothing more than a plain white T-shirt and a pair of jeans, it was almost unfair how good he looked.
My eyes journeyed up his body, and I noted his hair was just a touch longer now than it had been the last time I saw him. And where it had been that signature dark Westwood hair before, the way the light hit it now revealed champagne-colored highlights.
If only things were different, if only I hadn’t screwed it all up, I wouldn’t have hesitated to run to him, drive my fingers into that slightly unruly hair, and urge his mouth to mine.
Sadly, Liam’s stance and expression kept me rooted to the spot, still barely breathing.
“So, it’s true.”
His voice had changed, too.
I didn’t think that was possible, but it seemed deeper now. Deeper and…quieter? And if I thought the sound of Jules’s voice had rattled me, hearing Liam’s had shaken me to my very core.
I’d missed him so much.
Those three words he’d spoken might have normally indicated someone was looking for a response, but when Liam said them, there was such a finality and understanding in his tone. Like he’d already gotten the answer he was seeking simply by stepping foot into this store.
Despite that, I foolishly replied. “Liam.”
He winced.
Hearing me say his name had caused such a tremendous physical reaction. A negative one.
Liam quickly recovered and pinned his stare on me. “I knew she’d never lie to me about something like this, but I still had to check for myself.”
Jules.
He had to be talking about his sister. She must have told him about seeing me here two days ago, and he had taken it upon himself to seek me out to confirm Jules had been telling the truth.
I was lost, scared, and unsure of how to proceed. “Liam.”
My voice was strained, my heart pounding. How awful was it that I couldn’t bring myself to say anything more than just his name?
He shook his head with disappointment. “That’s it? Eight years, and that’s all you can say?”
I diverted my eyes to the clothing on the table, noting the rogue thread poking out from the collar of the shirt I’djust folded. When I returned my attention to Liam, I murmured, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Are you kidding me? You don’t think I deserve anything? An explanation, maybe? Why? Why, Layla? Why did you leave?”
There was nobody like Liam.
In my whole life, there wasn’t a single person who could have ever measured up to the man he was. Even when we were just teenagers, I’d always been drawn to him. He’d been so fun and outgoing. He had such an upbeat personality. He was the sweetest, kindest soul I’d ever known, and he’d never gotten angry with me.
What I was witnessing now wasn’t anything I’d ever witnessed before from him. Liam had always been so sweet and gentle with me.
And while I never expected if I had the opportunity to see him again that he’d just be like he’d always been with me, I certainly hadn’t anticipated this. His tone was harsh and cutting, and the look on his face was stony and unkind.
It was then I realized just how much damage I’d done.
This wasn’t Liam.
This wasn’t the man I’d fallen in love with.
I wondered if that man even still existed.
Tears filled my eyes as my head moved from side to side. “I’m sorry.”
