Chapter 84
Before she could retort, Liam flashed her one of those charming smiles that could light up a room. It almost made Penelope forget how she had sworn to herself she’d never let him charm her again. Alimost.
He gestured toward the exit, where the night air beckoned. “I was just about to head out. Care for some fresh air?”
Against her better judgment, she nodded. It was better than standing there, simmering in her own frustration. As they walked, she couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly Liam moved through the crowd. He greeted people with a wave, gxuded confidence, and maintained that air of mystery that both intrigued and unnerved her
“You’re looking differem tonight he said, glancing sideways at her. “A good sdifferent”
“Thanks,” she replied, feeling her cheeks flush. “But I doubt you’re here to compliment my fashion choices?
He chuckled, a low, smooth sound that made her stomach twist. “You caught me. But I do think you look nice”
They stepped outside into the cool night air, the noise of the party fading behind them. She felt a momentary sense of relief, but it was quickly replaced by the heaviness of the conversation she knew they had to have.
“Liam,” she started, taking a breath to steady herself. “About our mothers
“Yeah, about that,” he interrupted, his expression suddenly se
y serious. I think
we need to talk”
“Agreed” she said, crossing her arms defensively. “But first, can we acknowledge how absurd this situation is? Our mothers trying to set us up like some sort of fairy tale“”
Liam leaned against the railing his demeanor shifting from playful to contemplative. “I don’t know, Penelope. Maybe they see something we don’t?
She scoffed. “What You mean they see a charming, deceptive guy who’s probably just
st playing a game?”
He raised an eyebrow, his smirk f
fading: “Or maybe they see two people who might actually get along if we gave it a chance. I mean, I can be nice.”
She looked at him, really looked at him. Beneath the charm and the confidence, there was something vulnerable in his e that made her pause. Was she really so quick to judge him!
eyes. A flicker of sincerity
But then she remembered the stories. The rumors that followed him. The whispers that painted him as the bad boy‘ of their social circle. Could she really trust him, even if he was being nice now?
She was form. And she hated it. She had spent so long building a wall against the kind of charm be exuded, and now here she was, considering the possibility of giving him a chance.
“What if you’re just pretending?” she challenged. “What if this is all just an act to win me over?”
“Maybe,” he replied, shrugging. “But what if it’s not! I don’t want to be the villain in your story, Penelope. I’m just trying to figure out where we fit in
this mess.”
Liam, you have to understand
——that I’m a bad guy?” he cut in, his voice laced with irritation. “Yeah, I know the reputation. But what if I don’t want to be that guy anymore! What if I want to be someone you could trust?”
She shook her head, the internal battle raging on. She had heard the horror stories about him. Creepy encounters, reckless behavior, and a reputation for breaking hearts. But as she stood there, watching him, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt about the persona she had constructed around him
“Look, I know you think I’m trouble,” he continued, his voice softer now. “But in not just that guy. I’m trying to change. Maybe I’m just a guy who wants to be better. And maybe you’re the one who can help me do that”
His words hung in the air, and she felt a part of her soften. Could she really be the person to help him change? What if this was a chance for both of them to redefine their narratives? But then again, what if it was just another manipulation
As they stood there, the silence stretched between them, filled with unspoken words. She glanced up at the stars, searching for answers in their twinkling light. And then she felt a soft touch on her arm
“Penelope,” he said softly, “let’s just give this a shot. What do we have to lose?”
She bit her lip, weighing her options. She could either walk away, maintaining her distance, or take a leap into the unknown.
1/2
Chapter 54
“Okay” she finally casi, ssrprisi
“Fair enough” he replied sith a smirk that made her hourt case
I’m going to keep my guard up. I’m not letting you off the hook that easily
they mad them way to the hotel room, she (ch an odd mis id excitement and trepidation. Eram held the door open for her, and as she stepped
the atmosphere
He followed her in closing the doom with a soft check. “What do you think?” he asked, geituring around the elegantly decorated room. “Not too shabby, right?
“10% nice,” she admitted, trying to ignore how his presence seemed to fill the space. “But I don’t think that’s why we’re here?
He leased against the door, crossing his arms with that casual confidence that drove her crazy. “Right So what do we do now?”
“Honestly? I don’t know, she confessed, feeling her defenses slip just a
a linde. “I guess we just talk??
Liam’s expression shifted, a flicker of seriousness returning. “Okay, let’s talk. But first, can I ask you something?”
She nodded, bracing herself, “What is it“”
Why do you think I’m so bad! What have you heard?”
The question hung in the air, heavy with the weight of her own doubts. She hesitated, unsure how to answer
“I’ve heard things she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. That you’re manipulative and play with people’s feelings.”
His brow furrowed, and she could see the flash of hurt in his eyes. “I can’t change the past, Penelope. But I’m not that guy anymore. I want to show you I can be different.”
She sighed, torn between her instincts and his earnestness, “But how can I trust your
“You’ll just have to see,” he said, his gaze intense. “But know this: I’m not here to hurt you. I promise
As she looked into his eyes, she felt a strange pull, a part of her wanting to believe him. Maybe this could work. Maybe they could navigate this new path together. But the nagging doubts still lingered.
“Okay” she said slowly, “let’s see where this goes. But I’m serious–if you pull any funny business, I’ll be out of here in a heartbeat”
Liam’s smile returned, genuine this time. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
As the minutes ticked by the conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and unexpected moments of vulnerability. But as the clock moved forward, a cloud of tension settled over her thoughts.
Would she really give him a chance! Did she truly want to explore the possibility of dating a guy with such a tumultuous reputation? Would she be risking her heart, or was there a chance that Liam was genuinely trying to change
“Liam,” she finally said, interrupting his playful banter. “What happens if this doesn’t work out? What if we end up hating each other more than du now?”
He paused, the lightheartedness fading from his expression. “Honestly! I don’t know. But maybe that’s the risk we have to take.”
Penelope felt her heart race, Could she really be willing to risk it all: She had always been the cautious one, the girl who played it safe. But now, with their mothers orchestrating an impending arrangement, the idea of exploring a relationship with Liam both terrified and intrigued her
As he stepped closer, the could see the determination in his eyes. “Let’s just take it one day at a time, Penelope. You’ll see that I’m not the monster
you think I amı‘
After divorce he wants[/caption]
