Chapter 30

We arrived home in less than fifteen minutes. He was driving like a mad man. I was gripping my seat all the time. I was so scared we'll get into an accident. He parked outside our house and turned to me. He stared at me seductively.

" Thank you for tonight, Bella. I enjoyed your company. I hope next time you won't be too distracted." He said, placing his arm behind my seat. I gave him an apologetic smile.

" Thank you too, Tom. I'm sorry, I wasn't too entertaining tonight. I am not used to dating, and I have a sick daughter at home. I can't concentrate." I told him, and he nodded. I tried to open my door, but it's still locked.

" Can I at least get a goodnight kiss?" He said, coming closer to me. I backed away and placed a hand on his chest.

" Uhm, Tom, I don't think that's a good idea. I told you I'm not ready for anything yet. Can't we be friends?" I begged him. Starting to get nervous. Before he can do anything, my phone rang, and I was so relieved. I took out my phone and saw that it was Liam calling. Tom straightened up and scowled.

" Liam, hi?" I answered, sounding breathless and relieved.

" Baby, are you home? Why do you sound breathless?" He sounded worried.

" Yeah, we've just parked outside the house. Is everything okay? Hold on, Liam," I told him, then asked Tom to open the door.

" Tom, can you please open the door?" He glared at me then grunted. I heard the lock and opened the door as fast as I could.

" Thanks, Tom, drive safe, goodnight," I told him before I closed the door. He stepped on the gas right after I closed the door. God! That was weird. I forgot that Liam is still on the line until I heard his voice.

" Bella, are you okay, babe? What's going on?" Came his worried voice.

" I'm okay, Liam. It's just that Tom is acting weird tonight." I told him honestly.

" What do you mean weird? Explain, Bella!" He shouted a little.

" You know what? Forget it, Liam. Maybe it was only in my imagination." I lied to him so that he won't worry too much.

" Bella, you are lying to me. Please, babe, tell me right away if he does something to you. Now get inside. I don't want you freezing outside." He ordered, and I rolled my eyes at the phone. He sounded like a father.

" When did you become so bossy? You're like my father. Why are you calling, by the way?" I teased him and went inside the house. The whole house is dark and quiet. I went straight to my room and plopped on my bed, smiling like an idiot.

" I was checking if you went home safely, babe." He answered I know he's lying.

" Checking? Or you ordering me to come home? I am a grown woman now, Liam. You don't have to worry about me and scare every guy that comes near me like before." I told him jokingly.

" The more I am worried, love. You are more dangerously gorgeous now. I'm scared wolves will flock to you and take advantage. I want you safe." He answered, and my heart did a summersault in my chest.

" You're crazy. I can take care of myself, you know. I've done that for six years when I'm away." I told him with sadness in my voice.

" I know, baby, but I can't help it. I feel so protective of you. Please allow me to do that. By the way, I want to tell you. You look so beautiful tonight." His voice dropped and sounded sexy. I bit my lip so hard and closed my eyes tightly. I want to squeal like a schoolgirl.

"Baby, still there? You did not fall asleep on me, did you?" He asked, laughing.

" Yeah, I'm still here." I squeaked. " Are you staying at the hospital tonight?" I asked him.

" I guess so, love. A little boy accidentally fell down the stairs. We need to observe him because he took a pretty bad fall and bumped his head. I am at the doctor's lounge right now, trying to take a nap."

He said, sounding tired.

" Oh, that's too bad. I feel bad for the parents. I hope he'll be okay. You should get some rest, Liam. You sound tired and sleepy. I'll check on Sophie and get some sleep myself after." I told him, getting up, and went out my door to transfer to my daughter's room. Mom is lying beside her.

" Okay, babe. You call me right away if her fever came back, okay?" He ordered.

" Yes, doctor."  I teased him and laugh.

" I'm serious, woman. Don't make fun of me." He scolded me, and I chuckled.

" I"m sorry, Liam, I can't help it. You're like a mother hen. Don't worry, okay? She's fine. The fever is gone, thank God. I'm going back to my room now." I whispered, careful not to wake mom and Sophie.

" Okay, goodnight, baby, sleep tight." He whispered huskily, and it went straight to my heart.

" You really enjoyed calling me that, do you?" I teased him again to ease my palpating heart.

" Yep! Enjoy it, baby, because you're gonna be hearing that for the rest of your life." He answered seriously, and I was rendered speechless. I sighed and held on to my phone so tight, wishing he was here.

" Goodnight, Liam. Be safe. I'll see you tomorrow." I whispered to him.

" Goodnight, babe. Don't miss me too much." He chuckled and ended the call. I stared at the ceiling and hugged the phone to my heart. I really do miss him so much it hurts. I got up and went to my bathroom to change, wash my face, and brush my teeth.

When I came out wearing an old t-shirt that I stole from Liam's closet so long ago, my phone light up, I went under my covers and grabbed my phone to see who sent me a text.

" What are you wearing right now, babe?" It's from Liam. This guy is obviously flirting with me. What has gotten into him? I decided to flirt back to give him a dose of his own medicine.

" Nothing, just the smile you gave me :)" Take that, Liam! Let's see who can sleep now.

" F..k, baby! Please don't play with me! My dirty mind is playing so many scenes at once in my head. I wish I were there to see that smile, baby." He texted back, and I giggled. Now you know how I felt, you flirt!

" You started it, doctor Jones. I wish you were here too." I sighed and hugged my pillow.

" Okay, let's stop, or I might bail out of here and go there. Goodnight, babe, Dream of me because I will surely dream of you. Kisses, love." I stared at his last message and smiled broadly. Should I hope? Should I let myself believe that he loves me as much as I love him? Or even a little bit?

" Goodnight, Liam. See you in my dreams, babe." I replied and ducked under my pillow, so scared to see his reply. Then my phone dinged. I emerged from under my pillow and stared at the phone. I reached out with a trembling hand and read his reply.

" I'm coming over right now!" Oh shit!