I Kissed Shara Wheeler Hardcover

KAIDA'S POV

Liam smells like bergamot and lavender. Always. His signature scent.

I could perceive it from a mile away as I stepped into the restaurant, my hands holding until my bag's strap.

A smile stretched on my lips upon seeing him. 

His broad back was unmistakable, a giveaway that he was the one I was looking for. After all, years of hockey had sculpted his athletic build.

Just a few steps away, I paused, then crept up behind him on tiptoes, intending on a surprise. But before I could lean in and whisper in his ear, he froze and turned around, his senses apparently alerted to my presence. 

Maybe my scent gave me away, just like his had given him away to me earlier when I walked into the restaurant.

"You're here," he smiled softly. Not his usual wide smile, but a forced one, which made my brows arched.

Was he having a bad day?

"Yes." I replied, returning his smile as I sat across him, the table separating us. 

Liam wasn't his usual self, so I finally asked that had been lingering on my lips. "Is everything okay?"

He forced another smile. Again. "Yes, I'm good. Just stressed from practice."

He wasn't exactly telling the truth, I could tell, but I didn't probe deeper into the matter, instead, I chose to relax and enjoy the arts on display, while waiting for the waitress to come attend to us.

"Is this some kind of secret date?" I joked, trying to ease the sudden tension that overwhelmed the atmosphere.

My boyfriend was much too quiet. It wasn't normal, but I couldn't ask. It was as if my tongue were tied against the wall of my mouth.

"No, it's not." Liam replied blankly and straightened up as soon as the waitress got to our table.

"What would you like to have?" I asked him, my eyes on the menu, contemplating on what dish to pick. 

All the dishes on the menu looked enticing and probably delicious, but I had to settle for one, which I did. Beef on weck. A popular dish among citizens of Rochester.

"I'm good," Liam replied, and I nodded slowly.

Once the waitress left to get my order ready, I straightened up, meeting Liam's gaze at eye level, but he avoided my eyes.

Last I remembered, Liam hadn't done anything wrong lately that could make him avoid my gaze, which made his behavior all the more confusing.

"Did you do something wrong?" I asked because from my observation since my arrival, it seemed something was wrong, or he had a lot to say to me.

When I saw his text last night, inviting me to a well-known restaurant downtown, I thought it was a date, since we've not had one in a long time.

Liam has always been busy with practices, games with different teams, and we rarely have time for dates anymore, so when he invited me to one last night, I was so excited.

I even wore my favorite summer gown and Ember, my roommate, dolled me up.

"No." He cleared his throat and straightened up once more, as if finding courage to speak up after much contemplation.

"I have something to say, Kaida." He stated, pausing for a second before continuing. "And I hope you don't hate me for this."

I swallowed hard, eyes on him, as I waited for him to continue.

"Why would I hate you, Liam?" I asked, a small smile stretched on my lips. "You're my boyfriend, after all."

I watched as he took in a deep, slow and torturous breath before saying three words that I never knew could shatter my world. "Let's break up."