The Secret Trinity Unearth (12 page)

“Actually, yes it is. Will that be a problem?” He laughed and jumped to his feet.

“Well if you have been kissing friends like that all day, you must be famished. Let’s go for a late bite.” He took my hands and pulled me to my feet.

I sighed, “Okay, but this is not a date.” He brushed my hair back behind my shoulders and kissed the right peak where my bruises from Doug had now healed. I thought about that night in the pool when his lips had first touched my skin and how the desire had built up to this moment. Liam made his way up my neck until he reached my lips for a single tender kiss.

“Of course it’s not a date.” He said mockingly. “We are just two friends sharing an innocent meal.”

He leaned close to my ear, “Although now that I have a taste for your lips, I don’t know if I can promise to be a perfect gentleman,” he said with a whisper.

His cheek was on mine and I tilted my mouth to his ear, “I wouldn’t dream of it,” I whispered back and gave him another soft kiss.

I had made my decision. I refused to let someone else continue to control my life or my feelings. I took Liam’s hand as we walked out of the studio and didn’t look back.

Chapter 17: First Date

Ever since I had torn down my walls and let Liam into my life things had been perfect. I spent every spare second with the girls or hanging out with Liam. I had not seen my stalker or even felt him around lately. It was a welcome relief. It seemed like my life was finally going in the right direction.

We returned to our hometown for the week of Thanksgiving break, including Liam. I wanted him to meet my parents. Also, I could not bear the thought of him spending Thanksgiving alone with no family, so far away from home. By the end of the trip even my Mom had warmed up to him.

It was the day after Thanksgiving and Liam was driving us back to campus. Since he was the only one with a car on campus, he had offered to car pool with all of us for the trip. I smiled to myself when I recalled him picking us up. I was shocked because he was driving a brand new, luxury sport utility vehicle. Driving downtown around campus was a pain. It was always more convenient to walk everywhere, so that was the first time I had seen his car or realized he had money.

Sure he dressed nicely and always looks polished, but he was never overly flashy. Liam could stand next to someone who was wearing a tuxedo sporting nothing but a garbage bag and still make the other guy look like a slob. He was full of surprises, and the fact that he didn’t show off his money when we were getting to know each other, like some preppy snoot, made me fall even harder.

He was holding my hand. I let the buzz calm me now while I stared out the passenger-side window. Kayla and Morgan were asleep in the backseat, and I was feeling sad thinking about Liam’s departure in a few weeks back to Ireland. He squeezed my hand to get my attention.

“What’s wrong? You have been quiet all day,” he asked quietly, keeping his eyes on the road. His soft Irish accent was another reminder of where he was headed.

“It’s nothing, just lost in thought as usual.” I lied. I did not want to tell him of the pain growing at the thought of his leaving.

“Well, I have something sure to put a smile on your face,” he said. I eyed him. “And what would that be?” His cheek pulled to one side and his eyes looked mischievous.

“Would you allow me to take you out tomorrow night for our first official date?” I laughed at that.

Liam and I had been glued at the hip for weeks. We went to movies, studied together, and had shared many more soft kisses. I had introduced him as my boyfriend to my parents and he didn’t bat an eye.

The truth was, I thought I was falling in love with him. However, after all of that, technically he had not asked me out on a date since our steamy dance studio make-out session. I put my index finger to my mouth, pretending to think about my answer.

“Well…I’m not sure, what did you have in mind?” I teased.

He played along, “I can’t tell you. It’s a Christmas surprise.”

I bit my lip, “I like surprises but Christmas isn’t for weeks,” and he smirked, “Well your gifts will be coming early this year. Is that a yes?”

I slowly nodded my head trying to imagine what could be in store for us tomorrow night noticing he had used the plural of the word gift. Then he pulled my hand up to his lips and gave it a comforting gentle kiss.

The girls and I spent most of Saturday afternoon locked in our room with books scattered on the floor. Final exams were coming up, which only reminded me of Liam leaving, and I found it hard to think of anything else.

*****

“So he didn’t tell you what you’re doing tonight?” Kayla asked, while still looking down at her calculus book on the floor.

“No,” I sighed, “and the anticipation is killing me.” I checked my phone again and it was just past four. The day was coming to a close and I still had no clue where I was going tonight. Kayla peered up from her book to look at Morgan on the loveseat and grinned.

“We should probably get ready for our double date.” Morgan whimpered, “I told you I would only go if you stop calling it that.”

Kayla had gone on a few casual dates with the fireman from the Halloween party since I had made our pact moot. Tonight he was bringing a friend for dinner and live music at the Union Center. Morgan reluctantly agreed to go after hours of Kayla nagging her, but she refused to acknowledge the evening as any sort of romantic setup. Kayla got up from the hard tile and stretched her arms above her head.

“You should at least start getting ready with us Ari. I doubt whatever you are doing tonight is casual enough for flannel pajama pants,” she pointed out as she rubbed the kinks out of the back of her neck. I looked down at my sweatshirt and plaid flannel pants mentally agreeing with her. We put our books away and took turns showering.

At five o’ clock I received a text message from Liam. “I will be at your door in an hour, wear something pretty, xoxo.”

Kayla and I practically tackled Morgan to the ground to put some mascara and lip gloss on her, and I finished getting ready. I straightened my hair and put on a short eggplant sweater dress that rested just off my shoulders, framing my collarbone. I added some black tights so I would not get too cold in the frigid winter air. Normally for a date I would wear my lucky moon stone earrings but I already knew the night would be wonderful, so I opted for some sparkly ones that dangled instead.

At six o’clock on the dot there was a light knock at our door. I gave Morgan and Kayla an excited smile, and I grabbed my wool pea coat wanting to be ready before answering the door. When I opened the door I almost gasped. Liam was standing in front of me in all his splendor, wearing what looked like a custom tailored black suit, a black silk tie and a crisp white collared shirt underneath. He was holding a dozen red roses wrapped in tissue in one hand and had a black leather coat slung over the other. He had never looked so sexy. I wanted to skip the date and take him to my room instead.

“Wow, Liam…” was all I could muster.

He smiled at my reaction, “Thanks, you look quite stunning yourself. Here, for you.” He held the flowers out to me and I took them.

“Thank you, they’re beautiful,” I cooed, and brought them to my nose to breathe in their perfume.

“My thoughts exactly,” except he was staring into my eyes not at the flowers, and I felt a blush sweep my cheeks. I heard soft giggles from behind and I turned to glare.

Kayla recovered first, “I will take care of those, Ari. You two kids go have fun,” she said as she took the roses from me.

“Now Liam, make sure she’s home by curfew. Don’t make me get the shot gun.” Morgan said it with a hillbilly accent, like she and Kayla were some overbearing hick parents. I rolled my eyes.

“Have fun on your double date.” I said it directly to Morgan and she stopped smiling to stick her tongue out at me. Liam cleared his throat which was his polite way of trying to get my attention. I turned to face him.

“Shall we? I made reservations.” He stuck out his elbow for me.

“I’m sorry, of course, let’s go,” I said, putting on my coat as I hooked my arm through his.

When I closed the door behind me Kayla and Morgan both gave me the look which meant I would have to tell them every detail of this evening later.

We were soon out of the building and Liam guided me in the right direction. I was thankful I had him to hold onto. Navigating the slippery winter sidewalk, in heels, was not my best idea. Our breath hung like clouds as we walked a few blocks before he stopped in front of a restaurant. It had a large picture window lined with white twinkle lights. I did not catch the name on the red awning, but through the window I saw small, private tables with candle centerpieces.

Liam opened the door for me, and the well dressed maitre d’ took our coats and then led us to our table. The candlelight glowed in the romantic setting causing Liam’s golden hair to glimmer with magnificence. It was going to be a fantastical evening. Liam opened his menu and scanned it.

“Have anything you would like. I have not eaten here before, but all of the online reviews raved about the food.” I looked up from my menu to smile at him.

“Ah, so you did your homework it seems.” He met my eyes, “The night has just begun.” His tone had a touch of mystery and my stomach fluttered wondering what he meant exactly.

Looking at the choices on the menu it was clear he had selected a French restaurant for our date. I ordered a poached salmon with cream sauce and Liam ordered lamb with some kind of puffed potato pastry.

I felt like I was on my first ever, real date. We talked, fed each other bites of food, and played footsie under the table. No guy had ever treated me this way. I felt like Liam’s girlfriend, not just his conquest. I could not imagine how the night could get better. He paid for dinner without even glancing at the bill and the maître d’ brought us our coats.

We walked a few more blocks down the street, holding hands, until we turned the corner and a beautiful building with walls made entirely of glass came into view. Inside, it was brightly lit and the light poured into the streets. The building was full of people in dresses and suits, holding their drinks while talking with their dates.

I stopped Liam before he opened the door, “What is this place?”

He smiled, “Come on, you’ll see. I told you it was a surprise. It’s too cold for a debate.” He let out a puff of smoky breath to emphasize the point and opened the heavy glass door, gesturing for me to go inside.

The cream colored marble floor clicked under my heels. The floor to ceiling glass walls made it feel like I had entered a fancy art gallery. Christmas lights and other holiday decorations were hung everywhere, and the noise of the crowd echoed up toward the open catwalks three stories high. I guess we had arrived just in time because a bell chimed, and people started moving through the large maple doors lining the backside of the building.

Liam led me up the marble stairs to the second story and down a hallway. He walked past the large crowd filing through a set of doors, and I followed. We came to the end of the hall where three small arches were draped by red velvet curtains. An elderly man, who was standing in front of middle arch dressed in an usher uniform, asked to see our tickets. Liam pulled two tickets from his breast pocket but shielded them when I tried to read the printed title. The usher opened the farthest curtain and told us to enjoy the show.

Liam walked through the curtains and I was on his heels soon standing on a private balcony with two cushioned chairs in front of us. We were overlooking the aisles full of people below and a giant theatre stage in front. He went to the chairs and snatched up what looked like program booklets perched on each seat before I could see them. He sat in the left chair, and patted his hand on the other, gesturing for me to take the best seat in the house, literally. I sat down, slowly absorbing the surprise.

“Liam, spill! What is going on? Why all the secrets?” I faced him in my chair as he was taking off his coat.

He shrugged, “Surprises and secrets go hand in hand. You will find out in a minute.” I scrunched up my nose at his answer wishing he would tell me.

“Well regardless, you did not have to purchase such expensive seats. This is too much.” He cupped my cheek with his hand sending a pulse through my body.

“Ari, don’t worry about that okay? This is our night and I wanted it to be special, so please just enjoy yourself.” His eyes were thoughtful and I nodded.

Unable to find words I leaned in and kissed him, letting it linger longer than you should in this public setting. I took off my coat and the lights dimmed. I have always enjoyed the theatre, so it didn’t matter to me what we were seeing anyway.

I sat back in my chair to relax as the orchestra pit came to life, beginning the overture. Two seconds into the music I sprang forward in my seat almost falling off my chair. My eyes went wide. I looked at Liam. It was music I had heard time and time again, but tonight felt like the first.

Tears welled in my eyes. I could not believe he remembered. I leaned forward sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the curtains to open. Moments later, the curtains parted and the show began. Liam had brought me to see
The Nutcracker Ballet
. My heart filled with joy as I watched the dancers move across the stage.

Liam scooted his chair right next to mine and took my hand. My eyes were on the stage but I could feel him watching me instead of the show. I looked down at our fingers tangled together on my lap, and suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. A familiar pang of sadness felt sharp in my stomach and this time it lurched its way up to my heart. I was in love with Liam McKenna, and soon, he would be gone. The ballet had been wonderful but the reality of the situation continued to weigh on me like a rock.

“Let’s go into the capitol building to see the Christmas tree. I hear it’s over twenty feet tall,” he breathed into my hair, planting a kiss on the crown of my head as we walked.

When I looked up, the capitol building was framed in full view highlighted with flood lights. It looked like it was floating in the crisp night air, blanketed in twinkling stars. I had never seen it this close at night. It stood regal and magnificent.