Liam’s possessiveness was obvious, but his eyes barely flickered as he nced at Justin’s hand resting on Ste’s shoulder, betraying no sign of emotion.
“Would it kill you to wait a minute? You could’ve just asked someone to bring it up for you. Or, worst case, go to the stockroom yourself, you know?” Ste nudged Justin sharply with her elbow. He winced in pain but stubbornly kept his hand where it was.
“All these years, and you still hit just as hard!” Justin doubled over, his face twisted in mock agony.
Ste didn’t show the slightest hint of sympathy. She raised her hand as if to swat him again, but at thest second, she just let it hover, only scaring him a little.
“Looks like it’s about time. I need to check the equipment and get ready for the set.” Liam, unfazed by their tant closeness, bent his head to adjust the microphone stand.
Ste nced at the clock on the wall. “Alright, I’ll let you get to it. Come on, let’s grab a drink.” Her words started polite but ended with a note of resignation.
Justin shot a quick, triumphant grin in Liam’s direction, as if he’d just scored a
point.
“Hey, what are you grinning about? Are youing or what?” Ste had taken a few steps before she realized Justin was still standing there, lost in his own
amusement.
“I’ming, I’ming. Haven’t had tea with your dad in ages–how about I stop by tomorrow?<b>” </b>
“Go if you want. Who’s stopping you?”
“So, any ns for tomorrow…?”
Their voices faded away as their silhouettes slipped out of Liam’s line of sight. Only then did he finally look up./
The night’sst show wrapped up perfectly. Liam exchanged a quick word with his coworkers, slung his case over his shoulder, and slipped out quietly.
“Hey, where’s Liam?” Ste scanned the room before leaning against the bar, not spotting him anywhere.
“He just left a minute ago.”
<b>14:48 </b>
Chapter
“Didn’t even bother saying goodbye,” she muttered, but made no move to follow.
Out on the street, Liam wandered aimlessly. As he passed a corner store, he hesitated, then ducked inside. He emerged momentster, unwrapping a popsicle and letting the cold sweetness distract his thoughts..
Compared to his two older brothers, Liam never saw himself as the rational one. Most of the time, he used indifference to force himself into being logical, but deep down, it was just a way to run from his feelings.
Like that night–not his business, not his problem. He’d told himself again and again to stay out of it, that he needed the job, needed to keep his head down, needed to pretend he didn’t see anything. But his body had moved before his mind could catch up.
He’d stepped between the drunken customer and the girl being harassed. The guy wouldn’t back off, not even when Liam pulled him away. That’s when Ste appeared.
In the dim light of the bar, she was impossible to miss–bright, fierce, and unafraid. Without hesitation, she swung a bottle straight at the drunk’s head.
Screams broke out all around them, but Ste, standing at the center of it all, just smiled–wide, unapologetic, a hint of mischief in her grin.
“Sorry about that. Guess I don’t know my own strength.”
Sheughed, shing a single sharp canine.
Maybe it was in that moment–someone who’d never believed in love at first sight–Liam felt something shift inside him.
But it was only a fleeting spark. He’d figured they’d never cross paths again, never guessed fate wouldnd him working at her little bar, or that his own sister would turn out to be her closest friend.
He knew they came from different worlds. Leaving the bar behind tonight, he felt almost relieved. Maybe putting some distance between them would help him let go of those impossible daydreams.
The next day, Alessia found herself sitting quietly nearby after getting Ivan’s permission, watching him sketch.
When Ivan drew, he vanished into his own universe. Even with Alessia sitting right there, eyes fixed on him, he seemedpletely unbothered, perfectly at ease, lost in his work.
<b>212 </b>
14:48
“Come out with me for a bit.”