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    288 (Vouchers <fn8536> Content originallyes from fin?novel</fn8536>


    Sophia padded in a few minutester, barefoot, wearing ck oversized shirt. She looked unusually serious, eyes glued to her phone as she slid onto the kitchen ind stool without a word.


    “Good morning,” I said.


    She blinked once, distracted. “Hey.”


    Silence stretched. I served the eggs, then poured us both orange juice. She still hadn’t looked <ol><li>up. </li></ol>


    “Everything okay?”


    Another pause. Then she grinned, dropped her phone on the counter, and leaned forward dramatically.


    “I have good news.”


    I narrowed my eyes. “What kind of good news?”


    Sophia wiggled her brows. “I’m traveling. Which means…” She spread her arms. “You and my dear brother get the whole house to yourselves. Scream. Break amp. Go wild.”


    I raised an eyebrow. “Why are you always travelingtely?”


    She gave a wickedugh. “You’re not the only one with a man dying to have her around. This girl needs her ownte night adventures too.”


    I nearly choked on my juice. “Who is he? Should I offer


    my condolences?”


    “Emily!” she gasped, mock–offended. “How can a man lucky enough to hold my attention be unlucky? That’s sphemy.”


    “So? Who is this mystery man?”


    She smirked and crossed her legs. “Maybe one day I’ll be generous enough to give you all the details. For now, just know he’s hot. And obsessed with me.”


    I leaned on the counter. “Does Liam know him?”


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    “God, no! Promise me you won’t say anything.”


    “Understood. Operation Don’t Tell Big Brother in motion. But you know you’re a grown woman right?”


    “Try telling that to Liam and Jay. Thest time I tried dating someone, they found out he once shoplifted a candy bar in fifth grade. Fifth grade, Em.”


    Iughed. “They’re doing what big brothers do best.


    “Being overbearing and nosy? Yeah. A–plus effort.”


    Just then, Liam strolled into the kitchen shirtless, hair tousled like he’d just rolled out of a GQ ad. His eyesnded on me.


    “You left the bed,” he said with mock betrayal.


    Sophia stood and stretched. “And on that note, I’ll give you lovebirds the kitchen. Try not to scar me for life.‘


    “1


    Once she was gone, Liam walked up behind me, sliding his arms around


    my


    waist.


    “Mmm. You smell amazing. I could eat you for breakfast.”


    “Liam,” I warned, trying not to smile. “Let me cook.”


    “Remember the counter? Still fresh in my memory. We could make new memories real quick.”


    “If this food burns, you’re making the next batch.”


    He held up his hands. “Alright. I surrender to the chef.”


    I flipped thest pancake and turned to him. “So, what’s on today’s agenda?”


    He leaned against the counter, suddenly serious. “We’re going out tonight.”


    I blinked. “We are?”


    He nodded. “Alunch. I’ve been avoiding it for personal reasons. But now… having you here changes things. We’ll go together.”


    There was weight in his tone. Unspoken intent. I understood.


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    288 (Vouchers


    He wanted the world to see us.


    He wanted to make a statement.


    And not just to the press.


    Hourster, the transformation wasplete. My gold satin dress hugged my curves like a second skin. Liam, in a midnight ck suit, looked like he could shut down Wall Street with a single nce. He adjusted his cufflinks like a man preparing for battle. Calm. Calcted. Unshakably in control.


    The car ride was quiet. Focused. A different kind of anticipation buzzed between us. His hand rested on my thigh, a casual touch that still managed to make my pulse race.


    As we pulled up to the venue, the air changed.


    shbulbs. Shouts. A wave of camera shes erupted as soon as our car door opened. I could hear the buzz of reporters, the chatter of tech insiders, the clicks and whirs of eager lenses.


    We stepped out together.


    The energy outside the venue was electric, partunch event, part fashion runway. People called his name. Then mine.


    But Liam didn’t stop. He took my hand and guided us down the carpet like we owned it. His grip was firm. Sure.


    Then, just before we entered the ss doors, he paused.


    He looked at me, jaw set.


    And then he kissed me.


    It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t shy. It was a full im. Possessive. Certain.


    shbulbs exploded.


    A low gasp rippled through the crowd.


    And I knew.


    There would be no more mystery. No more whispers.


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    288 Vouchers


    Liam ck had made his statement.


    Loud. Clear.


    And unforgettable.


    The air inside the venue hadn’t cooled since the kiss. If anything, the heat had only grown thicker. Liam ck, the man known for calcted nces and cold detachment, had be someone else entirely tonight. Someone… touchy.


    He didn’t let go of my hand. Not even once.


    240 voucher