I shrugged. “Long day. I’m tired. Sunshine. Shopping. Your sister’s version of cardio


    He walked to his dresser and pulled out a folded tee and soft ck shorts. He walked back and handed them to me.


    “Change into this. Sleep here.”


    I blinked. “What?”


    “You’re tired. You should rest.


    <i>” </i>


    I stared at him. “My room is literally across the hall.” <fn894c> Find the newest release on FindN0vel</fn894c>


    “I know,” he said, like it didn’t matter. “But I want you here.”


    Oh.


    I took the clothes and ducked into his bathroom before I could say anything embarrassing. When I stepped out again, his shirt swallowed me. The scent that clung to the fabric was unmistakably his: clean, spicy, and fresh.


    I wasn’t prepared for what it did to me.


    Liam looked up from where he was straightening the sheets. His gaze moved slowly down my body, then back up again.


    “You’re staring,” I said.


    “I know,” he said, not even pretending otherwise. “Come lie down.”


    I slid under the covers. He flipped off the lights and settled beside me. His arm brushed mine, but he didn’t push further.


    “Go to sleep, Emily,” he whispered.


    And somehow, with his warmth beside me, his scent wrapped around me, I did.


    07:10


    Chapter <b>48 </b>


    Zna fruthay


    I woke to a gentle tap on my shoulder.


    “Emily. Wake up.”


    Liam’s voice. Soft. Teasing.


    I blinked up at him, bleary–eyed. He was already dressed, hair a little messier <b>than </b>earlier, but somehow still effortlessly put together.


    “Sophia’s on a hunt,” he said, amused. “She’s already calling your name. If she finds you in my bed, you’ll never hear the end of it.”


    I groaned. “Oh god.”


    We stepped out just in time.


    By the time we made it to the vi’s backyard, it had transformed. A white screen stretched between two palm trees. Lanterns and fairy lights twinkled in the trees above. Plush floor cushions and throws were scattered around a low wooden table stacked with snacks and


    drinks.


    Sophia spotted us and grinned wide.


    Leo’s voice cut through. “Well, well. Is that Emily in Liam’s shirt? Should we p or respectfully mind our business?”


    Kelvin looked up from his seat, a drink in hand. His jaw ticked, just slightly, before he masked it with a sip of wine.


    I slid in beside Sophia, who leaned in, eyes sparkling. “So… did you finally take the ride, or are we still pretending you’re innocent?”


    I elbowed her. “Shut up. We just slept.”


    “In his shirt though? That’s more intimate than sex.


    “I hate you.”


    ”


    Kelvin eventually made his way to my side and dropped onto the cushion next to me. Without asking, he ced a nket over my legs and handed me a bowl of popcorn.


    “Sharing is caring, remember?” he said with a small smile.


    Before I could respond, a shadow fell over us.


    07:10


    11 296 Mauchers


    Liam.


    He said nothing at first, just stared.


    Kelvin met his gaze coolly. “Problem?”


    “She’s sitting with me.”


    Kelvin raised a brow. “Last I checked, she’s single. That means she gets to decide where she sits.”


    “Guys,” I tried. “Don’t.”


    Liam stepped closer. “I’m not arguing with you.”


    “No,” Kelvin said, rising, “you’re trying to control what isn’t yours.”


    Jay raised a finger like a referee. “Wait, hold on. I need to write this down. This could be my next single.”


    Leo added, “Seriously. Who needs a movie when the drama’s unfolding right in front of us?”


    Sophia stood between them. “Okay. diators. Sit your fine asses down.”


    I reached for Liam’s arm. “Let’s go. Come on.


    He let me pull him aside to a quiet spot near the edge of the setup. We sat, the flicker of movie light dancing across our skin.


    He leaned in, mouth brushing my ear.


    “You don’t get to wear my clothes, look like that, and sit next to another man.


    I shivered.


    “You belong here,” he murmured. “With me.”


    My heart? Yeah. Definitely exploded.


    <i>” </i>


    The morning sunlight poured in through the massive windows of the vi, wrapping the breakfast table in a soft,zy glow. tes clinked, forks scraped against omelets, and a gentle breeze rustled the linen curtains. I was stirring my tea absentmindedly when Liam walked in.


    He looked like sin, dressed in white shirt casually unbuttoned at the top, sleeves rolled up to


    07:10


    724 Mouchers


    reveal strong forearms, and damp hair tousled from the shower. But that wasn’t what caught everyone’s attention.


    It was the bracelet.


    “Wait a minute,” Sophia said, eyes narrowing. She leaned forward, squinting like she was solving a crime. “Is that… the bracelet from Gustavia? Emily, didn’t you buy that yesterday<i>?</i><i>” </i>


    I nearly dropped my spoon.


    All eyes turned to me.


    Across the table, Laura raised a perfectly sculpted brow and took a slow sip of her coffee. Her smirk said it all: Well, I’m not the only one who noticed.