Over the next week, Myra called in sick to work every day. It wasn't a lie, when she told her boss she'd been nauseated, unable to sleep. The thought of going back to the office, seeing Adam there, literally made her sick to her stomach. She wanted to be brave, courageous, to face him down with fierce determination, but the cold fingers of fear that gripped her insides every time she got in her car to drive to the office, paralyzed her with unimaginable force.

On Friday afternoon, a knock at her front door interrupted the Hallmark Christmas movie she'd been binging on. Her parents and siblings had all called in concern for her through the week, but she'd done a fabulous job at making them believe she was fighting a bug and would be fine in a few days. At least she thought she'd done a fabulous job.

As she quickly scraped the pizza boxes off the table and bundled the multitude of blankets she'd wrapped around herself, she cursed her messy nature. She cursed again, then thought about hiding, pretending she wasn't home, when she looked through the peephole. That thought was dismissed when Liam's deep voice called out, "I know you're there, Myra."

Damn it! "Uh, I'm coming!" She called as quietly as she dared.

Myra ran trembling fingers through her messy hair, lifted an arm to test her smell, really wished she hadn't, then groaned in despair when he knocked again.

"Myra. I know you're right there. Open the door. I don't care what kind of mess you're in."

Ugh. This was not how she wanted Liam to see her, but she plastered a fake smile on her face and swung the door open anyway. "Liam! What are you doing here?" She kept that smile firmly in place, trying to use her body to block his view of her living room. Of course, that didn't work at all, because Liam was about a foot and half taller than she was, and had a perfect view straight over her head, and of course there was nothing wrong with his eyesight either.

"Are you going to let me in?" His voice was low, eyes steady on her. The implication that he was talking about more than her apartment was heavy between them.

She stepped to the side with a sweep of her hand. "Welcome to my humble abode."

Liam stepped inside and turned to face her. Myra chewed her bottom lip, scurried to the sofa to make some room and invited him to sit. That look on his face was making her nervous, fidgety. She sat down two cushions away from him, squirming under his evaluative gaze.

"So... You're here..." She played with the fuzz on one of her blankets, hating the way she got so frazzled with him.

"Yes, I am."

Liam was so steady, so calm. He didn't fidget, didn't try to fill the empty space with unnecessary words. Myra didn't know what to do with herself. She needed a shower, was embarrassed at the state of herself and her apartment, and wished he would just leave so she could get back to wallowing.

"Um, so, why are you here? Exactly…?” She couldn't look him in the eyes, didn't want to see the disapproval she was sure was there.

"Myra. What's wrong?" He prodded gently.

"Nothing.” She answered too quickly. “Nothing's wrong. Nothing at all. Why would you think something's wrong? Mom talked to you? Or dad, Keegan maybe? Nope, I'm fine. A little under the weather,” A none-too-convincing cough left her throat. “But I'm doing just fine now."

Dear lord, what was wrong with her? Why did she have to ramble like a mad woman? She needed to be calm, believable. Another cough, that seemed like a good idea. She covered her mouth, made a bigger coughing sound, kept her eyes firmly fixed on her lap.

"I'll tell you what I know,” Liam told her in a low voice. “Make my offer, and let you decide what you want to do."

She shifted her eyes briefly to his, then glanced away. "O-okay?”

"You have a Christmas tree," He began. "That's not decorated. You have at least five pizza boxes, which means you haven't been going outside. The box of tissues is half empty, there are six mugs in various places, your hair is matted, your eyes are puffy, Hallmark channel is in full swing, and all the blankets you own are with you on this sofa."

Myra felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. She knew she was a mess, but hearing Liam say all that hit her right in the gut. He started to speak again, his voice soft now, soothing.

"You've been through a traumatic experience."

Her eyes flew to his. “I’m fine.”

His eyes were warm and soft on hers. "Your family is worried about you, Love. I am too."

She just about burst into tears right then and there, but held onto her composure for all she was worth. Love? Liam had never called her that before.

"So, what's the offer?" She asked hesitantly, watched the corners of his mouth twitch upward.

"Take a shower, put on something warm and comfortable, and come out with me. The Christmas Tree lighting is tonight. I want to take you."

Myra wanted to go with him more than anything, but she didn't think she'd be the kind of company he wanted. She was just about to tell him so, when he spoke up.

"I know I said I'd let you make the choice, but I see your hesitation, so I'm telling you. Go take a shower, Myra. I'm getting you out of this apartment."

Well, how could she say no to that? She couldn't think of anything to say, actually, so she just got up and headed for the bathroom.

* * *

On the drive to the Surf & Turf Fairgrounds where the Christmas Tree lighting would take place, Myra couldn't stop thinking that she had to be dreaming. When she'd emerged from the shower, she was taken aback at the sight of an outfit hanging on the bathroom door. Liam had seen her in the shower. Well, he hadn't actually seen her, but she'd been in the shower and he'd been right there, hanging those clothes on the door for her. She didn't know if she was relieved or disappointed that he'd just deposited the items and left. Then, when she emerged, looking and feeling more human, wearing the outfit he picked for her, she found her apartment clean. Like, really clean. Even the tree that she couldn't bring herself to look at, much less decorate, was gone.

Does he have magic elves or something? She thought with amazement when she looked at him, looking as fresh and handsome as if nothing had happened. Liam just smiled down at her, helped her into a low-heeled pair of boots, then ushered her out the door.

She was still trying to catch up to her thoughts when they pulled into a parking space and Liam shut off the engine, then turned to face her. Reaching out, he gently brushed his thumb across her cheek, leaving a trail sparks in the wake of that simple action. She looked at him, dumbfounded, mind on the fritz, and he just smirked. One corner of that beautiful mouth turned up in amusement.

"Come on."

She felt the low rumble of his voice all the way to her toes. She stared after him as he climbed out of low-slung sports car, making his way to her side. What is happening? She thought in bewilderment. She blinked quickly, feeling like she both did, and did not, want to wake up from this dream.

* * *

This is definitely weird. Myra thought as Liam led her toward the fair’s entrance. Weird and exquisitely wonderful. Liam slid her hand into his, their fingers intertwined, and she felt as if she were floating. Wasn't this what she'd wanted for so long? For him to see her as the woman she was and make her his? Is that what he was doing?

What was he doing?

She didn't know. Maybe that was why it all felt so strange. He hadn't said a word, just slid his hand across hers, lighting a fire where their skin touched. All the times she'd fantasized about Liam Anderson proclaiming his undying love for her, this wasn't even close to how she'd seen it happening. Every now and then she'd catch him studying her. When she asked “what?”, he just smiled and said he was thinking.

He bought her hot chocolate and walked steadily beside her while she oohed and aahed over the holiday displays. When it was time for the lighting of the massive tree in the middle of the fairgrounds, Liam steered her to the perfect viewing location. When the tree lit up the night sky and she stared up at it with all the wonderment and awe of a child seeing it for the first time, she turned to Liam and gasped, "Oh, Liam, isn't it beautiful?". He didn't have to turn his head because he was already staring at her. “It’s the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He answered gruffly, bending his head until his lips were just an inch away from hers, his breath warm on her skin as he whispered, "I'm going to kiss you, Myra."

Before her mind could comprehend this insane turn of events, Liam cupped her face in his big hands, threaded his fingers though her hair, and covered her lips with his own.

God, they were just as soft as she'd imagined, but they were strong and firm too. Just like the man. Her heart that had skittered to a halt began to race in her chest like a runaway horse. She reached her arms up, wrapped them around his neck and cursed the gloves she’d put on. She wanted to touch him, to feel his skin beneath her fingertips the way he was feeling hers.

Myra had had boyfriends. She'd been kissed and she'd kissed, but never like this. Those had been boys, playing at something they knew nothing about, but Liam. Liam kissed her like a man should kiss a woman. With conviction, urgency and control battling with one another. With a low groan he pulled his lips from hers and stared into her eyes with a darkness, an intensity that would have scared her if he was any other man. It didn't scare her though, it ignited her.

"God, Myra." He whispered harshly, still cupping her face in his palms, resting his forehead against hers. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?"

She didn’t. She was sure of it, but if he burned even half as much as she did, she was certain they would be explosive. She'd never been with a man, never wanted to the way she did now. Liam had always been the star of her fantasies and the boys she'd dated in high school and early college just couldn't compete.

Unfair? Maybe. Or maybe she'd known all along that this was what she was waiting for. That he was what she was waiting for. The glow of that gigantic Christmas tree was dim compared to the glow that spread through her.