Capture

Web of Lies

I waited in my apartment all night, half-hoping—no, fully hoping—he'd come after me. With every tick of the clock, that hope slipped further away. By midnight, I'd stopped checking the door. By one, I was curled up on the couch, eating an entire carton of Ben & Jerry's like it might patch the hole in my chest.

It didn't.

The next morning hit harder than the night before. I dragged myself out of bed, limbs heavy, heart heavier. I told myself not to think about Liam—but it was like trying not to breathe. Every movement reminded me of him. Every second stretched long and hollow.

I got dressed slowly, barely bothering with makeup. My energy was gone, siphoned off by everything I hadn't said and everything I had.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed to the door, just trying to make it through the motions of a normal day.

When I pulled it open, I nearly screamed. Harry stood there, fist raised, mid-knock. "Oh my God," I gasped, clutching my chest. "You scared me."

He grinned, dimples deep. "Hey, beautiful." His voice was soft, like honey laced with gravel, and for a moment, it felt like comfort. But only for a moment. "I just wanted to see you," he said, stepping in to hug me. He kissed my cheek. "I've been worried."

"I know. Sorry." I pulled back, forcing a small smile. "My phone died the other night, and I couldn't get in touch."

A lie. A trap, honestly—I half-hoped he'd admit to what he'd done. That he'd say he traced my phone, or admit that he didn't trust me. I needed someone to yell at, and Liam wasn't here.

But Harry didn't even flinch. "That's okay, babe," he said easily, like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't shown up pounding on Liam's door, accusing, demanding.

I hesitated.

"Right, well... I've got to head to work." I edged out the door, keys in hand. "Sorry, I don't mean to rush, I'm running late."

He followed me to the elevator. We kissed before the doors closed—his lips warm, familiar—but I felt nothing. It wasn't him I wanted to be kissing, and now more than every before I felt a stab of regret in stringing Harry along when I knew I was in love with Liam.

Finally, I pulled into my spot at work and dragged myself inside, coffee in one hand, zero motivation in the other.

"Emma!" Gwen called from her office as I passed. "Good to see you, girl!"

"You too, Gwen!" I called back without slowing down. I just wanted to reach the sanctuary of my office before someone decided to ask how my weekend was.

I shut the door behind me and dropped my bag on the desk—only to jump a foot in the air when a voice came from the corner. "Nice digs." I yelped, spinning around. The motion-activated light clicked on, illuminating Louis slouched in my lounge chair like it was his living room.

"Jesus, Louis!" I hissed, clutching my chest. "What the hell are you doing in here?"

"I needed a place to stay," he said casually, like this was a normal thing people did.

"You slept here?"

"Not exactly. I snuck in this morning after the doorman opened up."

My eyes widened.

He read my expression and quickly added, "Don't worry—no one saw me."

"Are you kidding me right now? How did you even know where I worked?"

"I may have... borrowed your business card from your wallet yesterday," he said, flashing a sheepish smile. "Life of a thug. Good hands. Quick fingers."