CHAPTER 108: LIAM

The phone rings, and Emma's name lights up the screen. My heart skips a beat. I pick up, trying to keep my voice steady, but as soon as I hear her voice, soft and warm, I feel a smile tugging at my lips.

"Hey," she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice too. "I just got the flowers. A hundred roses, Liam? Really?"

I chuckle, leaning back in my chair. "Too much?"

"No," she says quickly, a slight laugh in her tone. "It was perfect. You know, everyone at work is completely jealous. Rob hasn't stopped squealing since they arrived."

"I'm glad you liked them," I say, feeling the tension in my chest loosen a little. "I wasn't sure if a hundred was over the top, but... I needed you to know how serious I am."

"I know," she says softly. "And I love them. They're beautiful."

There's a pause, a comfortable silence settling between us. I close my eyes, just listening to her breathe on the other end of the line. Even through the phone, the connection between us feels so strong, so real. It's h