Chapter 17

Emilia

It's Saturday evening and Rosie is helping me get ready for my date with James. It's officially autumn in New England and the weather got the notice. The sun is shining but clouds are scattered through the sky, the air is fresh and crisp, the perfect day for apple picking. Unfortunately James was set on going to see this new action movie. James is a nice guy but this date sounds less and less appealing by the minute.

Liam texted me this morning letting me know that if anything felt off I could text him at any minute and he'd come to the rescue. I sigh, knowing it's not a good sign of me putting my feelings aside for Liam, I want to text him and I haven't even left for the date yet. I've really tried over the past month to push Liam to the back of my mind but every week he does something to make my heart soar. From constantly bringing me my favorite ice cream, taking me out to dinner every week and always making sure I have a ride, it's been hard to not hope for more with him.

Since James and I are just going to the movies I don't bother get really dressed up. I throw on some black yoga pants with my high-top converse, a white tee shirt with a chunky emerald green cardigan on top. I finish putting on my basic makeup when James texts me that he's here.

"Don't look so excited." Rosie teases as my face frowns at James" text.

"I'm trying to be excited, okay."

"We can fake an emergency. I'm an incredible actress." I can't help but laugh at my best friend. Of course that would be her advice.

"He's a nice guy. I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Mhmm." Rosie hums. I know she has something to say about this date but honestly I can't take that right now or I will have her faking that emergency. James is a good guy, we're friends and even if this doesn't go anywhere at least I'm putting myself out there. I grab my small purse, shoving my phone and wallet in it. "Have fun." Rosie waves as I head out the door.

"Thanks. I'll text you." I wave back at her and then close the door. I take a deep breath before heading out the lobby of the apartment and into the parking lot.

The date with James is going just as I thought, fine. When I got in his car, which he didn't open the door for me by the way, he was playing some rock music. The music was fine but he never asked me what I want to listen to and I can't help compare that to how Liam always has me pick the music and has never let me touch the door handle. He asked me a few questions while driving like if I was excited about the movie and if I wanted popcorn. I lied and said I was excited but I didn't lie about wanting popcorn. Movie theatre popcorn is elite.

While I love going to the movies I have decided they don't make great first date spots. Since you have to be quiet the whole time you don't really get to know the person. The movie has been playing for a while and honestly? I'm bored out of my mind. I like some action movies namely anything done by Marvel, but whatever this is has way too many explosions and not enough plot to keep my interest. James tries to be subtle and does the yawn and stretch of his arms, putting one around me. I stiffen at the contact which he doesn't seem to notice and keeps it there for the next half of the movie.

Finally the movie ends and James drives me home. Originally I was expecting he'd want to get food after the movie so I didn't eat before and that small bag of popcorn isn't tying me over. After tonight though, I'd rather eat at home anyways so I stay quiet while he talks about the film the whole way home. I nod in agreement, mhms and yeahs whenever appropriate. When we pull up at my apartment James surprisingly gets out of the car but doesn't make his way to my side so I pull open the door and walk around to meet him on the other side.

"Well, thank you." I give him a halfhearted smile.

"My pleasure." He gives me a full grin back, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Um. Well good night." I wave and turn to walk to the front of my building.

"Wait, Emilia." He grabs my wrist, giving it a light tug, but not quite spinning me around. I turn to face him and stiffen when I see he's leaning in. Shit. Before I know it he presses his lips to mine. I don't move for a few seconds, feeling frozen in place but then I decide to throw caution to the wind, leaning into the kiss to see if maybe there's some chemistry. Unfortunately, there's none and the way his tongue is trying to force entry into my mouth isn't helping his case. I pull back slightly and thankfully he does the same. He smiles at me before releasing my arm. "Good night, Emilia."

I give him another halfhearted smile before turning and heading into my building. I walk into the apartment, sighing as I hang up my purse on the hooks we have in the small entryway. Rosie, who is plopped on the couch eating chips and watching reality tv shows, turning her head when I click the door shut.

"Hey." Rosie turns her whole body around now, there's a slight grimace on my face that I can't seem wipe off my face.

"Not good?" I shake my head.

"I'll tell you in a second. I'm going to put on sweats." I dip into my room and pull on a sweat set. It's a bright blue color and a little big on me but it's one of the comfiest things I own, apart from Liam's clothes. As I pull the hoodie over my head my phone vibrates and I groan, thinking James is already texting me. However, I'm pleasantly surprised when I see the text message from Liam, I can't help but smile to myself.LiamHow was your date?MeFine. I'm starving though. FYI popcorn isn't the best dinner lol.

I shove my phone into my hoodie pocket and head back into the living room, flopping down on the couch next to Rosie. I recount the details of the date to her about how he didn't seem to be very gentleman like but he was still nice, I mean he did pay for the popcorn and the movie.

"But was he a good kisser?" Rosie asks eagerly, before I can answer there's a knock on the door. We both look at each other, neither of us expecting anyone. "He must've thought you were, he's back for seconds already." She laughs as I toss a throw pillow at her before making my way over to the door. I unlock it and standing on the other side is a six-foot frame with those gorgeous green eyes staring down at me.

"Hey."

"Hi." His eyes lock on mine and neither of us seem to want to look away. There's more chemistry in this staring contest than with that kiss with James. Rosie clears her throat from somewhere behind me. Liam"s gaze leaves mine and he holds out a pizza in front of him.

"You brought me a pizza."

"You said you were hungry." He shrugs and I gesture for him to come inside. "Can't have my girl starving on me." My girl? "Umm, my project partner, I mean. I need you in tip top shape." There's a slight flush on Liam's cheek, something I haven't seen before. Liam toes his shoes off in the entryway and spins around to put the pizza on the counter. Rosie gets up from the couch sauntering over to us.

"Well, Liam aren't you a gem?" She winks at me behind Liam"s back. I round the kitchen counter and grab some plates from the cabinet.

"Ro, you want a slice?"

"I'm good, had dinner earlier. I'm gonna head to my room though and finish that book I started yesterday. Good night guys." She sings the last line with a mischievous smile on her face.

"You'll have a slice with me?" I ask Liam.

"Course." He piles two slices onto his plate as I do the same.

"Ranch?" I head to the fridge grabbing my favorite dressing.

"Sorry, did you just ask me if I wanted ranch dressing?"

"Yes?"

"On my pizza?" Liam looks at me dumbfounded and confused.

"Yes, on your pizza." A laugh barks out of me. "It's delicious."

"Mhmm. We'll agree to disagree on that one." He eyes me warily, as I squeeze the dressing onto my plate.

"Your loss." I dip my first slice into the dressing and moan at the taste of real food.

∞∞∞

Liam

I almost lost it when Emilia moaned around her pizza and the blissed out look on her face was just the cherry on top. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I stuff my slice of pizza into my mouth to stop myself from saying anything stupid and focusing on getting a situation that has my pants tightening under control.

Emilia points to the couch and gestures for me to follow, she plops herself down, grabbing the remote to change the channel. I follow behind her and take a seat next to her, from the moment I walked through the door it's been hard to keep my gaze off of her. She looks adorable in her oversized sweatshirt, the bright blue making her eyes shine even brighter than usual. Again, not helping my current situation. In retrospect maybe gray sweatpants weren't the best idea.

"This is so good." Emilia lets out a happy hum. "Thank you, I was starving."

"He didn't take you out for dinner?"

"Nope." Emilia shakes her head. "Do you mind if we watch New Girl? It's my comfort show."

"Yeah," I know a subject change when I see one and I'll let it slide because James is honestly the last thing I want to talk about with her. "I actually started watching it over the summer." That earns me a bright smile, that one dimple popping as her eyes light up.

"How'd you know pepperoni was my favorite?" She asks as she finishes up her first slice.

"I didn't." I give a small shrug. "Good guess, I guess."

She laughs at that, before flicking her attention back to the television and continuing to eat her pizza. Truthfully, I didn't know what her favorite kind of pizza was and I was tempted to buy one of everything in hopes I could get it right. That seemed a bit extreme though so I landed on pepperoni, hoping and praying she liked it.

Emilia gets lost in the show, comfort washing over her. She looks two seconds from falling asleep so I grab the plate out of her hand and quickly wash them off in the sink. When I get back to the couch I pause, standing there for a moment contemplating what I should do. I should go, I should let her go to bed but when she pats the cushion next to her my legs move to sit before my brain has even caught up. She scoots herself slightly closer to me and I can feel myself tense up at the anticipation of having her so close to me. Then she rests her head on my shoulder and I can't help but relax at the contact.

Emilia lets out a breath, "I crossed two things off my college bucket list today." She's playing with the strings on her hoodie.

"Two?" I gulp. I don't like where this is going. A date was one but the other? It must have been the kiss.

"Yep."

"That's good." I try to keep my voice even. "Right?"

She tilts her head, her baby blue's eyes meeting mine. "I guess." She shrugs, pulling back from me slightly to face me more. "He kisses like a fish though."

I throw my head back, a laugh escaping out of me. As much as I hate the idea of her kissing someone else, I don't have any claim over her and him being a bad kisser softens the blow. She giggles right alongside of me, man I love that sound. When our laughter subsides she nestles back into my side, head back on my shoulder.

"Do you like him?" It's a question I have to ask. She hesitates for a moment, playing with her hoodie strings again.

"He's nice," she lets out a long sigh, "but I think we're better off as friends." I try to tame down the smile threatening to play at my lips, glad she can't see where the corners of my mouth have started to twist up. "I'm so tired." She yawns, reaching for a pillow.

I steal it from her, placing it on my lap. "Here." Emilia shifts herself so she's laying down with her head in my lap while we continue to watch New Girl. Mindlessly, my hand runs through her hair, playing with her strawberry locks. I realize pretty quickly that Emilia has fallen asleep but I'm not ready to let her go yet so I continue to watch a few episodes before I get tired myself.

I scoot out from under her and then stand, scooping her into my arms. Once I have her in my arms she stirs awake, her eyes blink a few times like she can't quite remember where she is.

"Liam…"

"Shh, go back to sleep."

"Are you leaving?" She whispers.

"Yeah. Gotta head home and get some sleep." Emilia just nods at that while I place her in her bed, tucking her in under her lavender comforter.

"Text me when you get home. So I know you're safe." Her eyes lock on mine and I nod.

"Good night Emi." I press a quick kiss to her forehead. It's probably a bad idea but I can't stop myself. I don't want to stop myself.