Pulling up to the address, I turned my jeep off and squeezed the steering wheel as I stared at the white brick building in front of me.

Georgia Rehabilitation Center was etched on the stone sign out front, offering me no indication as to why Liam would be here.

I unbuckled and hesitantly stepped out, making my way to the entrance. Beautiful, potted trees immediately captured my attention, which were placed near cream-colored chairs in the waiting area. I then turned toward the front desk, only to gasp at the two figures standing in front of me.

There Liam stood, his back turned toward me, with his mother slightly bent over next to him, holding tightly to a pair of forearm crutches. I covered my mouth from the shock I felt at seeing Mrs. Tucker in her current state. I had loved her like a second mother and seeing her again after all this time in that way, hit me hard. I felt a twinge of guilt realizing it wasn't just Liam's life I had unwillingly vanished from.

"You're all set Mrs. Tucker. We will see you again in a couple of weeks. You're making great progress, keep it up."

"Thank you. We appreciate you guys." Liam turned, smiling fondly at his mom and grabbing ahold of her arm. "Come on, let's get you home."

Suddenly, they were headed my way, neither yet noticing me. I panicked, not wanting to be seen encroaching on their privacy. Looking around, I quickly jumped behind the only thing near me, which just so happened to be the potted tree. With leaves attacking my face, I crouched awkwardly as they began to pass by.

However, their movements were slow and steady, juxtaposing my heart hammering out of my chest. It must have been making a lot of noise in the process because Liam turned his head, glancing at me and then away, before doing a double take. His startled eyes landed on mine, and I sucked in a deep breath, vacuuming a leaf inside my mouth in the process. I wildly coughed, swatting away at the branches.

"Madalynn? Is that you?" Liam's mom, Claire, asked in shock, plastering a huge smile on her face once full recognition took place. Liam, on the other hand, remained quiet as he continued to stare at me in almost a state of stupor.

"Um, yes. Hi, Mrs. Tucker. It's so good to see you." I nervously smiled, stepping out from behind the tree.

"Please, Hun, call me Claire. Wow, you're just as beautiful as Liam said you are. Although, you always were."

I jerked my head toward Liam who was finally showing some sign of life. He shook his head ever so slightly before narrowing those emerald's in on me.

"What are you doing here?"

"I, um...I... I heard this place had really pretty trees. Thought, I'd uh, I'd ask where they got them from."

"Trees? You're at a Rehabilitation facility to look at trees?"

I tucked my lips in, my eyebrows lifting as I slowly shook my head yes before clicking my tongue. "Yepp." I said, popping the p. I reached to the side of me, and patted the potted plant pretending to admire it.

Liam took a step closer, amusement and curiosity sparkling in those eyes before seemingly remembering where we were and the animosity he felt toward my presence there. He took a step back, clearing his throat as his mom looked back and forth between the two of us.

"You know, these are very nice. Word truly does get out around this town. I've been admiring these plants every time we come. Maybe we should get some too, Liam. What do you say?" She asked, her eyes twinkling.

Liam simply grunted an approval, not meeting either of our eyes.

She turned back to me with a knowing smile on her face. "Maddie, I am so glad you are back again. I have missed seeing you. I would love to have you over for dinner. Would you please come by tonight?"

Liam jerked his head, swinging it in his mother's direction before his widened eyes landed on me. His discomfort could be felt a mile away in rolling tidal waves. Confusion, curiosity, and uneasiness were making its way around my veins, constricting the blood flow. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to bolt right on the spot or defy Liam's clear unspoken request to refuse the invitation.

"I'm not sure. I wouldn't want to intrude."

"Nonsense. It would be no intrusion at all. Please come. I would love to catch up. I have missed you dearly."

Defy it is.

Looking into her sincere sea green eyes, closely resembling Liam's though not quite, I could not say no. Not when her words mimicked my own sentiments. "You know what, I would love to come over. I have really missed you too."

"Wonderful! I'll have dinner ready by seven." She grabbed my hands, shaking her head slightly with a big smile on her face. "It really is so good to see you again, Honey. I'm so glad you're back." Squeezing my hands, she let go, turning to leave.

Liam was quick to grab hold of her, but she was even quicker in shooing him off. "I can walk to the car, Hun. Didn't you hear them? I'm making great progress," she winked, "Stay to say goodbye to Maddie."

He reluctantly released her as she continued her steady pace out the door. I studied him watching her and wondered what had happened, until he slowly turned in my direction. His eyes locked on mine, his eyebrows scrunching forward in a scrutinizing way. I swallowed thickly, feeling nervous under his stare.

"Liam, I'm sorry. I had no idea--"

"How'd you find me here?"

I hesitated before answering.

"Aaron."

The tendons in Liam's jaw ticked as he turned his head and scoffed. He mumbled something under his breath that I didn't quite catch before looking back at me.

"I didn't mean to intrude on anything private, Liam. I just...I needed to talk to you."

"I'm pretty sure that's what phones are for." His gruff voice retorted.

"Really? I wasn't sure you knew the purpose of a phone. Considering you ignore it anytime I try to call or text."

He crossed his arms over his chest, his muscles flexing in the movement. I mirrored his stance, glaring back at him. A moment of silence passed before he sighed.

"Lasagna still your favorite?"

My stomach somersaulted as my arms loosened their grip and fell to my sides. Any irritation vanished replaced with surprise. My words failed me, so I simply nodded my answer. He stood observing me for another moment before nodding; his full lips pulled in a half grin.

"I'll see you at seven then. Oh, and Maddie?" He leaned forward, bringing his toned arm past my head, leaning against the potted plant I had just been hiding in as he half caged me in. "Don't forget to ask them about their trees." His voice was low, deep, and teasing, creating electric sparks in my nerve endings. He dropped his gaze to my mouth, swiping his tongue over his bottom lip, before pushing off the tree.

His eyes twinkled with the wink he gave as he turned and walked out the door, leaving me, as freaking always, speechless.

Hello wonderful readers and Happy early Thanksgiving if you celebrate! I don't know about you, but I am ready to get my turkey pants on! lol

I am so sorry this update took so long! Life is crazy for me right now, and I usually never post a book until it is completed minus revising and editing. However, when I began posting chapters of this book, I knew I only had three to four more chapters left and thought I could get it done...I was obviously oblivious to just how busy I would be! I am working hard to finish, I promise. Even if I'm throwing out rough drafts until I can polish them, I want you to have something that hopefully, you're still loving.

Thank you for reading! I appreciate you sticking around.

Stay happy, stay healthy, and stay authentically you. ❤