I studied him, amusement softening into something deeper. “I get that. There’s an expectation my siblings and I will follow in our father’s footsteps. He… uh… has a unique job and he’s gone most of the year. Growing up, I thought I wanted to be like him. It was always the goal to get where he is, but I like my life. I don’t know if I want that anymore,” I confessed, surprising even myself.
Liam leaned back in his chair, thoughtfully tapping the rim of his shot glass. “Alright, Holly, my turn. What’s the one thing you want you’ve never told anyone about?”
I paused, the question hanging between us like a dare. I rolled the shot glass between my fingers again, my gaze slippingto the table. “To be seen. Not as someone useful or convenient. Just… me,” I said softly and then swallowed the tequila. It was strong but smooth. I let out a burning breath and met Liam’s gaze. His brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t press the matter. Instead, he reached for the bottle and poured another round, keeping the mood light.
“Your turn,” he said, gesturing for me to fire back.
I smirked, feeling a little lighter thanks to the liquor. “What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?”
Liam groaned, shaking his head. “Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?” He downed his shot and then sighed. “I needed that to tell this story. Let me set the scene. When I was sixteen, my brothers convinced me I was hilarious. So, for the high school talent show, I thought doing stand-up comedy would be a good idea. I figured it was no different than talking to our circle of friends, but when those spotlights hit me on the stage, I forgot all my jokes. In a moment of panic, I sang ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ instead.”
I burst out laughing, nearly spilling my drink. “You did not!”
“Swear on my life,” he said, holding up a hand. “And I wasterrible. The crowd booed me offstage. My mom still brings it up every Thanksgiving.”
My laughter eased into a warm smile, and Liam’s gaze lingered on me a little longer than it should have. “Here’s a potentially less traumatizing question,” he said, his voice dropping just slightly, the playful edge giving way to something softer. “What’s the first thing you noticed about me?”
My cheeks warmed, the tequila making me bold. I met his eyes, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest. “Your smile. It’s… disarming. It always has been.”
Liam’s lips twitched into that very smile, the one that seemed to light up the space between us. “Good to know.”
The air between us shifted, heating and crackling the longer we stared at each other. I picked up the bottle of tequila and refilled his glass, breaking the tension with a quick, nervous laugh. “Alright, your turn. What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?”
Liam burst out laughing, the sound warm and unrestrained. “Oh, that’s easy. When I was fourteen, I jumped off a dock trying to impress a girl. Totally forgot I didn’t know how to swim. The lifeguard had to dive in and pull me out while everyone watched.”
I laughed so hard that I nearly snorted. “No way. Did it work? Did you get the girl?”
“Not even close,” he said, grinning. “She ended up dating some guy who knew how to paddleboard.”
“My turn.” Liam twisted the glass in his fingers. He seemed nervous, but he didn’t look away. “Why’d you reject me all those years ago? I thought there was something between us.”
There was.“Ouch. going deep with that one.” I took my shot but didn’t chase it with a slice of orange. I wanted the fire in my throat to burn away these feelings. Nervousness. Excitement. Nostalgia and… desire. “Don’t take it personally. I haven’t dated anyone since I was seventeen, at least not anyone I could see myself with for more than one night.”
“So, you rejected me because you liked me?”
Yes.I filled my glass again and swallowed my shot as soon as I set the bottle down. “I believe it’s my turn. Save that question for later.”
For the next thirty minutes, we went back and forth, asking each other questions that spanned from simple things like how do you like your coffee all the way to embarrassing stories from our teenhood. The questions blurred and I began opting for shots over answers, letting the liquor speak when words wouldn’t come. By the final round, I was laughing too hard toanswer properly. My cheeks flushed from both the tequila and from how much I didn’t want the night to end. I really,reallyliked spending time with Liam.
I pushed my glass away with a definitive shake of my head. “That’s it. Game over,” I declared, my voice a mix of amusement and resignation. “Any more and I’ll be a disaster.”
Liam raised his hands in surrender, his smile easy and warm. “Fair enough. You held your own longer than I expected.”
“Damn right I did,” I said, grinning, though my words slurred a little. I leaned back in my chair, the tequila’s hazy heat spreading through me, and watched Liam pour himself one last shot. He downed it with a smoothness that suggested he wasn’t nearly as affected as I was.
“Alright, champ,” he said again, breaking the silence as he stepped closer. “What’s next?”
I exhaled, the night air cooling my flushed cheeks. “It’s almost midnight, which means your time is just about up and I should probably head home.”
Liam nodded, his easygoing smile dimming only slightly. “Fair enough, but I’d never be able to live with myself if I put you in a car alone like this. Let me help you get home.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I insist. You’re a great girl. I want to make sure nothing bad happens to you.”
“All right,” I said, trying to sound a little put-off and defeated when really I loved how considerate Liam was. I stood, wobbling a little, and he set his hand on my hip to steady me. I bit my lip and begged the swarm of butterflies tearing up my insides to settle. “Who am I to argue with a gentleman?”
As we stepped outside, the crisp air bit at my skin. It was refreshing but sobering. My mind raced with the realization that I was in my last moments with Liam. Soon, he’d forget who I was, and even though it was probably a bad idea, I wanted everyminute I could get with him. Liam raised a hand to flag down a car, and within moments, we were tucked inside, the quiet hum of the engine filling the space between us.
