I told myself I wouldn't overthink it.
I failed.
All morning, my mind replayed Liam's words over and over.
Think about it.
By noon, I was tired of arguing with myself.
So I texted him.
Me:
Okay.
Three seconds later, my phone buzzed.
Liam:
That was the fastest yes I've ever gotten.
I smiled despite myself.
⸻
He picked a small café just outside campus. Nothing fancy. Quiet. Safe.
"I didn't want to overwhelm you," he said as we sat.
"That's... thoughtful," I replied.
We talked about simple things—classes, childhood memories, favorite foods. For the first time in a long while, I laughed without forcing it.
"You smile differently when you're relaxed," he said.
I rolled my eyes. "There you go again. Observing."
"Can't help it."
For a moment, everything felt easy.
Too easy.
His phone buzzed on the table.
He glanced at it—and his expression changed.
Just slightly. But I noticed.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said quickly, turning the phone face down. "Just school stuff."
A lie.
I didn't call him out. I didn't want to ruin the moment.
When it was time to leave, the sun was already sinking.
"Thank you," I said. "For today."
"I was afraid you wouldn't come."
"I almost didn't," I admitted.
He stopped walking. "But you did."
He reached out, hesitated, then gently held my hand.
It felt right.
Dangerously right.
"I like you, Ariella," he said softly. "More than I planned to."
My heart pounded. "Liam..."
Before I could finish, a voice cut through the air.
"Liam?"
I turned.
It was her.
The girl from the library.
Her eyes moved from his face... to his hand holding mine.
And the smile on her lips faded.
"I've been calling you," she said slowly. "Why didn't you answer?"
Liam went still.
And just like that, the perfect moment shattered.