So That Happened (Donovan Family, #1)

by Katie Bailey

Dammit. Liam is a surprisingly nice name, a strong name.

“Rosemary,” I say gently, shooting a vaguely apologetic look in Liam’s direction. “You can’t ask a man out on my behalf.”

She’s in my office, and she’s in my head. Big time. And now that I’m actually admitting that to myself, I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I know that her offering this information is progress. And I also know not to push. So instead of asking why, I simply say, “Sure, sometimes we need some time alone. Uncle Liam understands that. He’s just worried about you, that’s all. He wants to know you’re okay because he loves you.”

“Just because Toby was popular and cute, it didn’t mean he was nice. Or that we had anything in common. And I realized that… maybe I didn’t actually like him, I just liked the idea of him. In reality, he didn’t measure up. He hurt my feelings, and I don’t like people who hurt others. No matter how cute they are.”

“And if Finn doesn’t like you, it’s his loss, but it’s also your gain. Better someone likes you for who you are than wants you to be something you’re not.”

Almost immediately, I realize that I’m passing on the advice my mom gave me a day ago. I am literally turning into my mother.

“I can’t stop thinking about you in that shirt.” My stomach clenches. “I can’t stop thinking about you in general,” I whisper back.

I used to be so averse to change, so rigid in my perfectly scheduled routine. Always making sure I was meeting all my responsibilities and being there for everyone else. I never stopped to consider if I was truly happy. Then Annie came along and colored outside all my carefully drawn lines. And I’ve loved every minute of it. Loved how she makes me feel. How I see I make her feel.

“I ran all the way here,” he explains with a grin. “I wanted to tell you that I was thinking about you. And I missed you. And to give you this.” He grabs my waist and tugs me toward him. He kisses me. Hard.

“You’re here because…” “I love you!” I practically shout. “I love you, Liam, and I don’t want to keep this quiet or keep things between us. I want to be with you, for real.” Liam’s dark eyes soften, melt like chocolate. “I love you, too, Annie Jacobs. More than my words could ever say.”

Liam: Good morning, beautiful. Hope you slept okay. Getting ready with Luke and the guys now. I love you.

Smiles. “It was a mistake not leaving with you tonight, because being by each other’s side, through good and bad, is what comes first. It’s what you do when you love someone.”

“It could never be a mistake to love you, Annie. Loving you is a privilege. An honor I don’t take lightly. And I want to keep on loving you every single day, for the rest of my days.”

“We may have gone a bit overboard at the merch table,” he announces, a tad sheepishly. “Speak for yourself.” Luke points a ginormous foam finger at his brother before flinging his cardboard Bieber aside and sitting down right in Mindy’s lap.

I can’t help the huge smile that spreads across my face. “There’s the grumpy man I know and love.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He smirks. “I’m a delight.”