The scent of fresh coffee filled the apartment as Liam leaned back on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, thumbing through his phone without real focus. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about Mia since that night she visited with Austin. Her voice, her smile, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous — it was etched into his mind like a permanent tattoo. And that was the problem.
She was his best friend's girlfriend.
"Yo!" Austin's voice boomed from the hallway as he juggled two paper bags from the convenience store. "Mia's coming over later to help with some plans for my birthday bash."
Liam looked up from his phone, eyebrows lifting in automatic surprise. "Oh, really?"
"Yeah, I figured you wouldn't mind since you're not doing anything today." Austin dropped the bags on the kitchen counter and turned to Liam with a smug grin. "Plus, maybe you two can finally get along. You were acting kind of weird the other night."
Liam scoffed, playing it cool. "Weird? I was just tired, man."
Austin laughed. "Nah, I saw the way you looked at her. She's gorgeous, right?"
Liam's throat tightened. He forced a smirk. "Yeah, she's alright."
"Alright? Bro, that girl is everything. Mia's got this thing about her. It's like she sees right through me, you know?" Austin opened the fridge, pulling out two beers. "I've never felt this way about anyone. She's the first girl I've ever really loved."
Liam took the beer without looking at Austin. "That's deep, man. I'm happy for you."
Austin took a swig and leaned against the counter. "But let me ask you something — what's going on with you and that girl from the lounge? The one-night stand?"
Liam rolled his eyes, chuckling. "Seriously, you're not gonna let that go?"
"I'm just curious, bro. You never do the same girl twice, so why are you planning to devour her again?. But from what I heard through the walls, that chick had the night of her life."
Liam raised his brows. "Are you jealous?"
"Of your skills? Hell yeah."
They both burst into laughter, the kind only real friends shared — raw, honest, and undiluted. But deep down, Liam's laugh was hollow. He couldn't share with Austin the weight that had settled in his chest ever since Mia stepped into their world.
MIA ARRIVES AT AUSTIN AND LIAM'S SHARED APARTMENT
When the doorbell rang, Liam didn't rush to open it. He let Austin handle it. He wasn't sure he trusted himself around Mia yet.
"Mia!" Austin's voice echoed through the hallway. "You're looking gorgeous as always."
"Thanks, babe," she replied with a soft laugh. Her voice was light, familiar. And it did something to Liam's gut.
He stood up, brushing invisible lint off his shirt, and walked into the living room just as she stepped in. She wore a simple sleeveless top and blue jeans, her curly hair bouncing gently with each step. No makeup, yet effortlessly radiant.
Her eyes locked with Liam's for a second — a second too long.
"Hey, Liam," she said politely, her voice a touch softer now.
"Hey, Mia."
Austin pulled her into a quick kiss, clearly proud to show her off. "Let me get the stuff from my room, babe. I wrote down some ideas for the party."
"Okay."
And just like that, they were alone.
Liam walked to the open window, hands in his pockets, staring out at the quiet street. He could feel her eyes on him.
"You have a nice place," she said, attempting small talk.
"Thanks," he replied, still facing away.
"Sorry if I made things awkward the other day."
He turned to her, finally. "You didn't. I was just... caught off guard."
She tilted her head slightly. "By what?"
He shrugged. "By you."
Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her eyes dropped to the floor, a light blush coloring her cheeks. Liam took a step toward her.
"I mean," he continued, voice calm but laced with something deeper, "Austin never told me his girlfriend looked like she walked out of a dream."
Mia chuckled nervously. "Don't say things like that."
"Why not? It's the truth."
Before anything else could be said, the doorbell rang again.
Austin was still in his room.
Liam opened the door — and froze.
Zara.
"Hey," she said with a bright smile, biting her lip playfully. "I was in the area. Thought I'd stop by and say hi."
Liam blinked. "How did you even—?"
"I might have followed you on Instagram. Your story yesterday gave away the location."
Mia stood now, brows furrowed slightly. "Hey," she said cautiously.
Zara turned to her with an easy grin. "Hi. I'm Zara. A friend of Liam's."
"Oh. Nice to meet you. I'm Mia."
Zara's gaze flicked briefly to Liam before she added with a mischievous smile, "Liam and I had... an unforgettable night."
Mia blinked. "Oh."
Liam clenched his jaw. "Zara, this isn't really a good time."
"I won't stay long," she purred, walking into the room like she owned it. She stepped up to Liam, brushing his shoulder lightly as she passed him. "Just thought I'd return the favor for that unforgettable night. Left something behind."
She reached into her purse and pulled out a single bracelet — clearly not hers — and handed it to him. "Found it in my bag. It's yours, I think."
Mia watched, quiet. Observing.
Zara turned toward her and smiled sweetly. "You're lucky to have him around. He's... intense."
"I'm not with him," Mia said quickly, almost defensively.
"Oh?" Zara's lips curved upward. "Interesting."
She leaned into Liam, her voice a whisper now, "I'm still sore... in a good way."
Mia turned away, pretending to browse a magazine on the coffee table.
Liam wanted to punch a wall.
"Zara, I'll call you later." His voice was firmer now.
Zara smirked and walked toward the door. "Make sure you do."
She turned and waved at Mia. "Nice meeting you."
As the door shut, silence filled the room.
Liam sat on the couch, running a hand through his hair. "Sorry about that."
Mia didn't look at him. "She's... forward."
He gave a humorless laugh. "Yeah. That's one word for it."
Mia turned to him now, arms crossed. "So, she's your girlfriend?"
"No. Not even close."
"Could've fooled me."
He looked at her, eyes searching. "She means nothing."
Mia blinked. Her lips parted like she was about to respond — but then Austin returned.
"Alright! Got the list, babe. Let's get planning."
The rest of the evening was a blur of suggestions and laughter, but the tension never left the room. Liam caught Mia stealing glances at him more than once. And he couldn't stop thinking about what she'd said.
That she wasn't with him.
Not yet.
FEW MOMENT LATER
Later that night, after everyone had left, Liam sat alone on the balcony, sipping whiskey straight from the bottle.
His phone buzzed.
Zara: Thinking about you. My body still remembers.
He stared at the message for a long second.
Then deleted it.
He wasn't thinking about Zara.
He was thinking about Mia.
About how she looked when she was jealous.
About how wrong it was to want her.
But how he couldn't stop.
Not now.
Not ever.