Liam
I want to check something off your list.
This was good. This was what I wanted. The sooner we were done, the sooner we were out of limbo.
So why did dread fill my stomach at the thought of crossing off another item on my list?
Me
Come over to my place.
Liam
K. 8pm?
I should say no. I should tell him I was busy, that I had studying to do, that Sydney and I had plans. Ishouldprotect what was left of my shattered heart and start building walls before he had the chance to knock down any more of them.
Me
Sounds great.
Looked like I was going to have to tell Sydney tonight after all.
Sydney took the news better than I expected.
“So let me get this straight.” She held up a hand, ticking off fingers. “You’ve been hooking up with Liam Farrell—hockey god, your brother’s best friend, certified man-whore—sincelast springand you’re just now telling me about it? And to add insult to injury, you need me to make myself scarce so he can come over tonight and bang you?”
“Basically, yes.”
She stared at me for a second and then burst out laughing.
“Oh my God, Ava. This is amazing. This is the greatest thing that’s ever happened.” She grabbed my shoulders. “You absolute fucking legend. You lassoed the biggest fuckboy at CFU. Drew is going to lose his entire mind.”
“Which is why Drew can’t know.”
“For now.” She had more hope than I did. “Don’t worry, I’m a vault. But holy shit. Liam Farrell. I mean, I always thought there was something between you two, but I figured it was just, like, tension that would never go anywhere because of the whole brother situation.”
I groaned. “Can we not dissect this right now? I’m barely holding it together as it is.”
Her expression softened. “Okay. I’m going to go study at the library—and by study, I mean swipe through dating apps and judge people’s bios now that I’m back on the market—and I will not be back until midnight at the earliest. You have the place to yourself.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank me by eventually giving me all the dirty details.” She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, then paused. “And Ava? Whatever happens…you deserve someone who puts you first. Remember that.”
The door clicked shut behind her, and I was left alone with my racing thoughts and the ticking clock counting down to eight.
I showered. Changed twice. Cleaned the apartment even though it was already clean. Checked my phone approximately forty-seven times.
When the knock finally came, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Liam stood in the doorway, looking unfairly good in jeans and a green T-shirt that matched his eyes while his brown hair was still damp from a shower. His eyes swept over me—I’d settled on shorts and a tank top since it was still relatively warm for September—and they were filled with heat by the time they met mine.
“Hey, Sunshine.”
“Hey.” I stepped back to let him in. “Sydney’s out for a while.”
“I figured.” He closed the door behind him, and suddenly the apartment felt very small. “Did you tell her?”
