Page 22 of Landing Liam

Her words hit harder than I expect, but I manage a chuckle, leaning back in the chair and stretching my arms behind my head. “I was always going to retire at some point, Mom. You know that.”

“I know,” she says, clicking her tongue the way she does when she’s trying not to argue. “I just thought it would be when you were ready—not because you had to.”

“Maybe my body is ready,” I say quietly, my words lingering in the space between us. It’s the first time I’ve admitted it out loud, and the truth feels surprisingly light.

She nods slowly, her expression unreadable. The golden glow of the kitchen nightlight highlights the strands of silver in her blonde hair, a subtle reminder of how much time has passed. “You’re right,” she finally says.

“I’ve had a good run,” I offer, trying to ease the tension. “It’s not like I have any regrets.”

“You’ve had an incredible run,” she agrees, her voice softening. “You’ve done some amazing things with your career, Liam. And your dad and I… we don’t say it enough, but we’re so proud of you.”

“Trust me,” I groan, resting my head against the back of the chair, “you say it plenty.”

She lets out a quiet laugh before taking another sip of her hot chocolate. “So, do you have any idea what you might want to do after…” She trails off, the words hanging unfinished.

“Brady offered me a job,” I say, testing the waters.

Mom’s eyebrows lift, her curiosity piqued. “Izzy’s doing?”

“Probably.” I can’t help but laugh. “You know how she is. She worries about me almost as much as you and Dad do.”

“That’s what cousins are for,” she says, smiling. But there’s a wistfulness in her eyes, like she’s not quite ready to let go of the version of me she’s always known—the one who’s spent his life chasing dreams on the snow.

For a moment, we sit in silence, the quiet of the house wrapping around us like a shared memory. I can feel her watching me, her worry still lingering just beneath the surface, and I know this conversation isn’t over. But for now, it feels good just to sit here, to let her warmth and presence remind me that no matter what comes next, I’ll never face it alone.

Suddenly, Maggie pops into my mind, and I can’t stop the slow grin spreading across my face. I probably shouldn’t have conned her into agreeing to drinks, but there’s something about her indifference, her resistance, that made me want to try that much harder. She’s a puzzle I can’t help but want to solve.

Mom notices the smile and raises an eyebrow. “What are you thinking about?”

“Nothing,” I deflect quickly, shaking my head. “Can I ask you something about Dad?”

Her curious expression deepens, and she leans in slightly. “About Dad? This should be good.”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“Sure.” She folds her hands around her mug, her demeanor soft but intrigued. “Ask away.”

“How did he know you were the one?”

Mom sits up straighter, her eyebrows shooting up like she’s surprised by the question. “Don’t you think that’s something you should ask him?”

“Maybe,” I admit with a shrug. “But I’m asking you.”

She tilts her head, considering. “I think I was a bit of a challenge for your dad,” she finally says. “When we were younger, he was always just out of reach—older, more focused. He’s also not exactly the wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve type. I didn’t even know he liked me until… well, let’s just say that’s a story for another time.”

“Was he ever a challenge for you?”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, her lips curving into a soft smile. “Oh, absolutely. When we first started dating, he was like a vault—kept everything locked up tight. Then he left, and I had to decide whether or not to keep trying. But I feel like you’re asking me this because you’ve met a challenge of your own.”

Her words hit uncomfortably close to home, and I debate whether to confirm it. After a moment, I give in. “Yeah, you’re pretty much on the right track.”

Her eyes light up, the curiosity in her expression now mixed with excitement. “What’s her name?”

“Let’s focus on the advice,” I say, redirecting the conversation with a smirk.

“Fine.” She holds up her hands in mock surrender. “Give me a second to collect my thoughts.”

“Wow,” I tease. “Never thought I’d see the day you didn’t have advice locked and loaded.”