I was nervous about Liv meeting my family, but I didn’t need to be. From the second we arrived, she fit right in, like she’s always been by my side. She even seemed to get along with Dean from the get go, which is impressive because he can be a bit of a prick when he wants to be. But as we wave goodbye to my parents the next afternoon, I can’t believe I was originally planning to come here without her. It was stupid. I was ready to start my life with her by my side, but I second-guessed bringing her home. I tell myself that it was more about not wanting to share her with others than anything else, but if I’m honest with myself, I know I was just nervous about my parents accepting how quickly our relationship has developed.

I’d never even mentioned a girl’s name to them before and here I was introducing them to a woman I haven’t really known that long but that I have every intention of spending the rest of my life with.

“You okay?” I ask, looking over to where Liv’s sat with her head resting back.

“Yeah, just tired,” she admits, and although I can’t see it, I know her cheeks are flushed right now.

From the looks on my parents’ faces this morning, I’m pretty sure they knew that we didn’t stick to their rules about Liv sleeping in the guest room. We were both pretty drunk by the time the taxi pulled up outside their house, so I’ve no idea if we managed to be quiet. Hell, it was worth it, and I’m sure they’ll get over it. They were young once; as much as I don’t want to think about it, I’m sure they were just as bad when they first got together.

Liv dozes in and out of sleep as I drive us home. I can’t keep the smile off my face as I think about how well she fits into my life. I knew the moment I saw her that she was the one I’d been waiting for, and with every day that passes, I’m only more convinced that she really is the one for me, the other half of my soul.

“Hey, sleepyhead. We’re home,” I say, placing my palm on her thigh.

“I know. I’m awake.” Her voice, rough with sleep, gives her away.

“Your eyes were shut.”

“Doesn’t mean I didn’t know we were home.”

“Right. Come on,” I say, killing the engine and getting out.

“My car,” Liv says, sounding confused. “When did…what?”

“I arranged for Dec and BJ to pick it up for you.”

“Aw, thank you,” she says, looping her arms around my neck and pressing her lips to mine.

“Anything for you.”

“Ugh, put her down,” BJ calls from the window, and Liv breaks our kiss.

“Come for a walk with me?” I ask. Liv’s brows knit together but she takes my hand and follows my lead.

We walk along the sand with the sea lapping at our feet in silence for the longest time, just soaking up the last of the afternoon sun and enjoying each other’s company.

“Are you okay? Your hands are shaking.”

Stopping, I spin Liv so she’s stood in front of me. I stare down at her, her blue eyes shining bright in the low sun and I feel like I can see my entire future mapped out in them. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and so much more than I deserve.

Pulling the little velvet pouch from my pocket that Erin slipped me yesterday, I drop down on to one knee on the damp sand.

Her gasp of shock fills my ears, and when I look up, her eyes are filled with tears while my heart pounds erratically in my chest.

“Liv, you stole my breath the first second I saw you, and I knew from that moment that I didn’t want to live my life without you in it. I knew you were the one I was waiting for. Will you do me the greatest honour of agreeing to be by my side for the rest of our lives and be my wife?”

Tears drop from her eyes and her hands visibly tremble as she holds them over her mouth.

“Liam, I…” She lets out a little laugh, and I start to panic that I’ve fucked this up. I know it’s soon; I know everyone’s going to think I’m crazy. But it’s true what they say: when you know, you know, and Liv and me are meant to be. Our fate was sealed the day I first looked at her at Nicole’s birthday.

“Yes,” she whispers so quietly I think I’ve imagined it.

“What?”

“Yes, Liam. YES!” she screams and launches herself at me the second I go to stand. We both fall back into the shallow sea water covering the sand. She kisses me as the tide comes in around us, but I couldn’t give a fuck. The rising sea, a fucking earthquake, nothing could drag me away from my girl right now.

She’s breathless when she pulls back and straddles my waist. Glancing at the water surrounding us, she lets out a laugh. “What the fuck just happened?”

“You just agreed to become Mrs Liam Haynes.”

“Oh my god,” she giggles as I pull the ring from its bag. “When did you get that?”

“I designed it and had Erin make it for me. She gave it to me last night.”

“You did what?”

Grabbing her hand, I slide it up her finger as she watches. “Do you like it?”

“I love it. But I love you more.”

“What the hell happened to you two?” BJ asks when we stumble into the living room dripping wet and smiling like loons.

“We’re getting married,” Liv squeals as she waves her hand around.

“You’re fucking what?” he asks, his chin almost hitting the floor.

“I asked Liv to marry me.”

“Whoa, shit, man. That’s awesome. Congrats.” He smiles, but it’s not as genuine as I would expect. Standing, BJ reaches for my hand and pulls me into a hug. He soon steps back when he realises we’re soaking wet and freezing cold. “We’ll do this later; go and get sorted,” he says, pushing us towards the stairs.

I’m soon distracted when Liv starts peeling her t-shirt off her damp skin the second we walk into her room. I drop my face to her cleavage and lick at her salty skin as I back her towards the shower.

“Put those damn shoes on you love so much. We’re going out,” I announce when I allow her out of the shower.

“Shoes I love?” she asks with a laugh.

“Fine, shoes I love. Those and a dress. Knickers are optional.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the shack. The others are meeting us there.”

“Then I’m definitely wearing underwear.”

“Hmm, interesting…”

“What?”

“Just wondering under what circumstances you’d agree not to wear any.”

“Shut up, you idiot.” Shrugging, I quickly run to my room to grab some clothes before returning, sitting on the end of Liv’s bed and watching as she gets herself ready.

“Hey, what’s this all about?” Nicole asks the second we arrive to find her, Dec and BJ sat around a table filled with drinks. The place is empty apart from them, and I wonder if Liam demanded they shut just for us.

Holding my hand up, Nicole’s eyes widen in delight before she squeals, making the guys wince, and jumps up from her chair. “Oh my god. He put a ring on it!” She crashes into me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “I’m so fucking happy for you.”

“Thank you.” Glancing over at Liam, I watch as Dec congratulates him.

“Tell me everything. When? Where?” Nicole demands once she’s let my hand go after studying the ring. “Oh, I can’t believe he designed it himself. That’s so romantic,” she swoons before I’ve even had chance to answer her previous questions.

We join the guys on the sofas. Dec pops the top on a bottle of champagne and he pours us all a glass.

“Speech, speech,” Nic chants, looking directly at Liam. My stomach twists when I see a blush colour his cheeks. It’s not very often he’s shy, and I kind of like it.

“I…uh…Who the fuck am I kidding? To the most beautiful girl in the world, my fiancée.” His face lights up as he looks at me, love and lust pouring from his eyes.

“Ugh, just go and fuck her in the back room and get it over with,” BJ mutters, and every pair of eyes in the room snap over to him. “What?” he asks. “You got any proper drink in this place instead of this bubbly shit?”

Everyone’s speechless for a few seconds before Nic stutters an agreement, getting up and running over to the bar. The playful BJ that I’ve come to know and love is nowhere to be seen tonight.

“Come on, let’s get the karaoke going,” Nic announces excitedly, as she jumps up and runs towards the stage.

“I think it’s time to cut her off,” I say with a laugh. Between the two of us, we’ve already polished off a bottle of champagne while the guys switched to whiskey a while ago. We all watch as she attempts to get it set up but it’s not long before the alcohol flowing through her veins gets the better of her and she ends up on her arse. “A little help, please,” she pouts, and both Dec and Liam get up and go over.

I watch them for a few minutes before I’m distracted by a giant sigh coming from next to me.

Turning, I look at BJ’s deflated posture. “BJ, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he grunts, avoiding my eyes and staring out to the dark night beyond.

“Come on, you can tell—” My words are cut off when loud music starts. So instead of continuing with what I wanted to say, I place my hand on his thigh and squeeze gently. My touch must surprise him because he turns to me, his eyes dark and haunted, but a small smile twitches at the corners of his lips in acceptance of my support. I smile back because I’m not sure what else to do. Our eyes hold for a beat and I get the feeling he’s desperate to talk, but the second I hear Liam’s voice fill the room, I have no choice but to turn and look at him up on stage. How he managed to convince Nicole to let him go up first, I’ve no idea.

The first lyrics of Dua Lipa’s ‘Electricity’ flow through me, and I can’t help but smile. Liam stretches his arm out and gestures for me to join him and I’m on my feet and moving towards him before my brain’s even registered the thought.

“This song could be about us,” he whispers in my ear before returning to the mic. I listen for a few seconds before I join in with him and we sing together, hand in hand on stage. A smile splits my face as I realise he’s right about the lyrics. That, and the knowledge that I’ve found everything I’ve ever wanted in this sleepy little seaside town. I look around at my friends, people I didn’t really know until recently, and I feel more at home than I ever have. Not so long ago, I didn’t think a life like this was even a possibility. I was so lost, living a life I hated. I had no idea what was just around the corner and what my life could be like. All it took was one person. One person to show me that I did deserve to be loved like I always dreamed of. One person to show me that I can have the kind of life I’ve always wanted.

It’s long past midnight when we all stumble out of the shack a little—or a lot, worse for wear. I’ve no idea how much BJ knocked back, but he can hardly stand. It takes both Liam and Dec to manhandle him home.

“Morning. I wasn’t expecting to see you up this early,” I say when I walk into the kitchen to find BJ leant against the counter with his head hanging low between his shoulders.

He glances up at me and my breath catches at the look on his face. His eyes are dark and his lips pressed into a thin line.

“Ben, please,” I beg. “Please talk to me. What’s going on?”

“It’s…” Spinning around so he rests against the island, he looks up to the ceiling and runs his hands through his hair.

“Come on, you’re like a brother to me,” I say resting my hand on his arm. “You can tell me anything. I only want to help.”

He drops his head and stares at me for the longest time. I can see his internal battle raging in his eyes.

“My stepdad. He…he’s died.” He shows no emotion as he says the words.

I suck in a breath. “I’m so sorr—”

“Don’t,” he snaps, “he doesn’t deserve it. He’s—was—a wanker and a waste of good oxygen.”