London Has Your Eyes

Chapter 74. Daniel

- No, no, man, I won't be able to get out of town until near the end of the month, I have three shoots in a row almost right after the New Year, so I'll be busy, - Liam says as he climbs out of the car.

We stop at a petrol station near my house. Liam wants to go to the shop for some snacks, and I decide to follow him.

- Do you have January off? You want to get out of town? How's your CruelSoph going to survive that? - My friend chuckles.

- Look, after the whole Kaitlin story, I'm ready to kiss the ground Sophie walks on. She did something incredible. As soon as the tide went down, Soph put the news out that it was a hoax, that it was a set-up, like we did it on purpose for PR. And then she paid somewhere and there were comments from people saying that it was the second time Kaitlin had tried to get more popular at my expense, that I was in trouble because of her, and so on and so forth -, I start my story.

- And then your loyal groupies got involved? - Liam finishes for me.

- That's right, - I confirm. - It's a pity Alex won't get that back. I don't know how to explain it to her, I've sent her a million texts, called her so many times, but she stubbornly won't talk to me. Janine talked to her, she said Alex is suffering and is frantic, can't figure out if I'm an asshole or not.

- Look, man, no sex - it doesn't count, - Liam says, handing the purchases over to the cashier. - She'll get over it, go and see her as a last resort. Talk to her.

- Yeah, I thought about it. But I'm afraid I'll make it worse, - I confess honestly.

- So, what else we got going on tonight? Christmas dinner! - Liam does a goofy grin. - My dad called me today, my mum's freaking out. Can't wait for the event. It's like they haven't had these dinners since we were kids.

- Well, it's important to them. We'll go for an hour and then we'll go to the pub. Maybe I'll stop by Alex's before dinner? It was supposed to be our first Christmas together. Shit, I'm stuck thinking about her again.

We get in the car, Liam pulls a red hubcap from the back seat and turns on the radio. Christmas carols are playing. It's snowing lightly outside the window. At that very moment, I remember how cosy it was with her. I want to hold her close to me. It would be the perfect Christmas.

- Are we going tonight? - Liam asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

- Yeah, yeah, - I say confused, - We'll stop at my place now and I'll change, and then we'll drive back to your place and then to my mother's for dinner.

I connect my phone to the car, dial Tyler's number, and drive off. We discuss plans for tonight after dinner. Guys aren't going to be there much longer either.

- I like that attitude better, - I say as the call ends.

- Do you think Stella could come with us? - Liam mumbles quietly. I raise an eyebrow and turn toward my friend, barely holding back a smile.

- Really? Really? - I grin, not holding back, - again? Decided to test her again? - Liam's blushing, hell he's blushing like a shy teenager! Liam! AHAHAHAHAH!

- Fuck you, Dany, - he snorts, - I was just asking.

- Yeah, yeah, he was just asking, - I mock. - But seriously, I think it's too late to call her. Mum's got it all worked out. Tell her we'll meet her at the club after dinner. I made us a reservation in the VIP area. Don't thank me, - I smile. Liam grins back, sending a text message.

- Are you two serious? Are you two back together? - I ask gently. Liam shrugs.

- I don't know, Dany, we're not in a rush this time, just talking, dating, occasionally fucking, but no promises of anything. So far I'm enjoying my time with her. She's become different. I don't know how to say it. It turns out she's not as superficial as I used to think.