I hesitated, chewing my lip. “I need to talk to Liam. And I don’t know how.”


    She arched a brow. “You’re not pregnant, right?”


    “What? No.”


    She set the popcorn down. “Okay, so what is it?”


    I swallowed. “Mason’s tour. It’s happening. He asked me toe along… and I said leave in two days.”


    Sophia went still for a second. Then she whistled. “Wow. Okay. That’s… definitely something.”


    yes.


    I


    “I know.” I pulled my knees to my chest. “That’s why I’m here. I need to talk to Liam.”


    She gave me a long look. “Look, I’m not trying to be dramatic, but this might go nuclear.”


    “Why?”


    “Emily,” she deadpanned, “You’re about to tell Liam you’re going on tour with a guy who’s clearly into you. You think he’s just going to nod and offer to drive you to the airport?”


    I frowned. “Mason’s my friend.”


    “Girl. Come on.


    <i>” </i>


    I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I just want Liam to understand. I’m not trying to hurt him. I just want this experience.”


    Sophia shrugged. “You’re allowed to live your life. Just be prepared, no man on earth wants to hear that the woman he’s crazy about is about to spend weeks traveling with a superstar who clearly has a thing for her.”


    I groaned. “Sophia, for the hundredth time, he’s just a friend.”


    She smirked. “Good luck selling that story to Liam.”


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    17:34


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    I rolled my eyes. “You’re not helping.”


    “I’m being real. You’re about to start a fire. And honestly, I’m here for it.”


    Before I could respond, the door opened. Footsteps. A voice calling my name softly.


    Then Liam walked in, loosening his tic, looking like something out of a high–fashion billboard. Tired, but still absurdly attractive. His eyesnded on me.


    And just like that, his whole face softened.


    Sophia grinned. “Aww, puppy eyes.”


    He ignored her, crossed the room, and leaned down to kiss my cheek. “You came back.”


    “Yeah.” <fn10f8> Readplete version only at find[?]ovel</fn10f8>


    Sophia gagged. “Seriously? Get a room.


    Liam looked at me. “Want to?”


    I didn’t hesitate. I stood, and he took my hand, leading me upstairs like he couldn’t wait to get me alone.


    His room was dimly lit, quiet. I leaned against the door once it closed.


    “Tough day?” I asked.


    “You have no idea.”


    “Well, maybe I can help you rx.”


    He turned slowly. “Oh yeah? Got something in mind?”


    I stepped closer, dragging a finger down the buttons of his shirt. “Maybe something involving zero stress and a very happy ending.”


    His eyes darkened. “God, you’re dangerous.”


    I smiled and tugged his cor, bringing his mouth to mine. It was all fire and tension after that, clothes hitting the floor, breathlessughter, whispered moans. He took me like he’d been craving me all day. And in the shower, he did it again, this time slower, with so much intensity that I forgot what day it was.


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    Afterward, we dried off, wrapped in towels, still warm from the water. But my heart had started to race for another reason.


    Now or never.


    I sat on the edge of the bed and watched himb his fingers through his wet hair. “Liam, I need to tell you something.”


    He nced at me, still smiling. “Yeah?”


    I nodded. “Mason’s tour is officially happening. He invited me toe with him.”


    The smile slipped.


    “And I said yes.”


    Silence.


    Heavy. Deafening. His smile was gone, reced with nothing. Just unreadable stillness.


    I waited. My throat dry.


    “Say something,” I whispered.


    “What do you want me to say?”


    “Anything. Just… don’t shut down on me.”


    He looked at me slowly. “You want me to be happy? To smile and say I’m proud? Emily, what the hell do you want me to say? That I’m cool with you spending the next few weeks with a guy who’s been trying to get with you since day one?”


    My heart thudded. “It’s not like that.”


    “Isn’t it? He’s not just a friend and you know it. But fine. You already said difference does my opinion make now?”


    “That’s not fair.”


    Heughed bitterly. “Isn’t it?”


    “I’m telling you because I want to be honest. Because you matter to me.”


    “Then maybe you should’ve talked to me before agreeing to go.”


    yes.


    What


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    That stung. I bit my lip. “I was excited. And I didn’t want to miss the opportunity.”


    He ran a hand down his face. “When are you leaving?”


    “Two days.”


    He cursed under his breath, low and harsh.


    “Then I guess you should start packing,” he said, voice cold.


    I stood. “So you’re asking me to leave?”


    “I’m asking you to go do what you already decided to do,” he snapped. “I’m tired, Emily. I can’t do this with you right now.”