章節 14: Fingers Intertwined

The BB Café had a cozy warmth about it, a mix of the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the faint buzz of chatter that didn't overwhelm me. Liam and I sat across from Ethan and Kia, who were their usual selves—playful banter, stolen glances, and, of course, their endless debate over whose taste in coffee was better.

I tried to focus on the conversation, sipping my iced latte, but Liam's presence beside me was a distraction all on its own. His arm casually rested on the back of my chair, and every so often, he leaned closer, his words low and teasing.

"You're quiet today. Not your usual grumpy self," he said, smirking as I shot him a half-hearted glare.

"Maybe I'm saving my energy," I replied, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a full smile.

"Saving it for me, I hope."

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the warmth creeping into my cheeks.

As Ethan launched into another argument about the superiority of hazelnut syrup, Kia countered with a dramatic sigh. The two of them were so obvious, and it was both amusing and endearing. I wondered if they even realized how much they danced around their feelings.

Midway through Kia's retort, I felt it—a light brush against my hand under the table. I stiffened, glancing at Liam, who looked entirely too nonchalant. His fingers intertwined with mine, his touch warm and steady.

My heart raced. Was he serious? Here? In front of Ethan and Kia?

I tried to gently pull my hand back, but his grip tightened, his thumb brushing lightly over mine. My face flushed, and I stared hard at my drink, praying the others wouldn't notice.

"What's wrong, Ava?" Liam's voice was low, almost a whisper. "Too warm in here?"

"Don't push your luck," I muttered, my voice wavering.

He chuckled softly, the sound making my chest tighten in a way that both annoyed and thrilled me.

When we left the café, the cool evening air hit my face like a refreshing wave. Ethan and Kia were still engaged in some kind of animated debate, walking slowly behind us as Liam and I stepped onto the sidewalk together.

"I should get going," I said, glancing at my phone. "My dad's probably wondering where I am."

Liam came to a sudden stop and turned to face me, his expression soft yet insistent. "Let me walk you home."

I hesitated, glancing at the street in front of us. "It's really not necessary. I can—"

"I want to," he interrupted, his voice steady and serious, eyes locked on mine.

The sincerity in his gaze made it impossible to refuse. I nodded quietly, and together we walked in silence, the sound of our footsteps blending with the soft rustle of leaves in the cool night air.

By the time we reached my doorstep, I could feel my heart beating a little faster. I opened my mouth to thank him, but the words felt stuck. Liam was looking at me with that expectant expression again, like he was waiting for something.

"Uh… thanks for walking me."

He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Do I get a kiss for that?"

The words hit me like a bolt of lightning. My face instantly flushed, and I was too caught off guard to even formulate a coherent response.

Before I could stammer anything out, he leaned forward, closing the distance between us with that same confidence I was starting to get used to. His lips brushed mine—soft, quick, and gentle—but it was enough to make my entire body go still.

When he pulled back, I felt like my face was on fire. I could barely look at him.

"You're adorable when you're speechless," he teased, his voice low with that amused warmth I was beginning to recognize.

"I… uh… I…"

Liam took a small step back, his hands casually slipping into his pockets. "Goodnight, baby," he said with a soft laugh, and I felt the words settle like a wave of warmth in my chest.

He turned and walked down the street, leaving me standing there, frozen on the porch. My heart was still pounding in my chest, replaying the kiss over and over.

I couldn't decide whether to text him something sarcastic or just scream into my pillow. Maybe I'd do both.