Eternal Promises (Book 1 Of: Eternal Emotions)

The Unexpected Partnership

The sun dipped low over Coral Bay, casting a warm golden hue over Main Street. Aria Sinclair pushed open the door to The Rolling Bean, her sanctuary amid the chaotic swirl of summer. She moved with a certain coldness, her sharp gaze scanning the room for a quiet corner. All she wanted was her usual large mocha and a moment of solitude to dive into her photography. But as fate would have it, her haven was invaded."Is this seat taken?" came the infuriating voice of Liam Hawthorne, that all-too-familiar shit-eating grin breaking through her mental barrier like an unwelcome ray of sunshine."Seriously? Just fuck off, Liam. You must have some severe cognitive dissonance if you think I want to share my space with you," Aria shot back, her voice laced with venom. She shot daggers at him, hoping for once he'd get the hint.Liam didn't take the hint, though. He plopped down in the chair across from her, completely unfazed. "Come on, you look like you could use some fun in your life. I'm just trying to help.""Help? You being here is like a bad headache I can't shake. You think your shine is going to rub off on me? Spoiler alert: it won't, you obnoxious prat," Aria scoffed, rolling her eyes so hard she almost hurt herself."Wow, someone's cranky today. What happened, did someone steal your puppy?" he quipped, genuinely oblivious to her fury."If you say 'puppy' one more time, Liam, I swear I'll throw my coffee at you. You're like a cockroach that just won't die. Can't you find a more productive hobby than pestering me?" she retorted, her arms tightly crossed, every word dripping with disdain."Okay, okay! No need for the drama," he replied, trying to suppress a laugh. "But hear me out, I really need your skills for the upcoming festival. Your photography could elevate the whole event.""Why the hell would I want to help you with your stupid little festival? It's not like it's my life's ambition to be part of your pathetic attempts to gain popularity," she shot back, her icy demeanor refusing to melt. "You're as delusional as you are obnoxious, and that's saying something."Liam leaned closer, the grin still plastered on his face. "I'm serious. This could be a great opportunity for you to showcase your talent.""Showcase my talent? In a glorified fair thrown by a wannabe Jock King? No thanks. I'd rather gouge my eyes out than be linked to your half-baked ideas, you self-centered idiot," Aria snapped, her frustration bubbling over. "The last thing I need is a spotlight on me because you can't stand the thought of being alone.""Wow, you really are on fire today," he said, feigning a wince. "Someone must've poked a hornet's nest.""God, you're infuriating! If you were a flavor of ice cream, you'd be the one nobody picks—like sawdust or something equally disgusting! Just do the world a favor and leave me alone," Aria exclaimed, her exasperation rising."Okay, I can see you're having a tough day. But you can't tell me you haven't thought about it," Liam said, his voice a bit softer now. "This festival could be a step toward something bigger.""Bigger? Like your ego? Thanks, but I'll pass on that. I can see right through your hollow charm. You think charming me into helping you is going to work? Newsflash: it's not, you pathetic loser," she shot back, lack of interest dripping with each word."Aria, I know I may seem like a cliché jerk sometimes," he said, a hint of sincerity in his voice. "But I can be more than that, if you'd just look beyond your preconceived notions of me.""Like what? What, are you going to pull a rabbit out of a hat next? Sweetheart, the day I start believing in your bullshit is the day I'll sign up for the next episode of 'How to Ruin My Life with Liam.' Just stop trying to play the hero. You're not cut out for it," she hissed, absolutely unyielding.He raised an eyebrow, still smiling, and Aria could almost see the gears turning in his head. "What if I told you I genuinely want this festival to succeed for both of us? I'm trying to bring the town together, and you could be a part of something meaningful.""A part of something meaningful? You wouldn't know meaningful if it bit you in your self-righteous ass. This town could survive just fine without your pathetic attempts to save it with your silly little events," she replied, her disdain intensifying. Liam leaned back slightly, clearly taken aback. "You're relentless, I'll give you that. But every time you lash out, it just shows how much you care deep down. You don't actually want to shut the world out. You want it to be different.""Trust me, Liam, the last thing I want to do is waste my time trying to rescue your fantasy of a community utopia," she shot back, her frustration bubbling in her throat. "I have enough to deal with without trying to save you from your own stupidity.""So what's your plan then?" he asked, leaning forward again, genuinely intrigued now. "To sit here and hide behind that camera forever?""Better that than getting involved in your mess, you moron," she retorted, but if she were honest, there was a part of her that felt a flicker of intrigue at his words."Just think about it, Aria," he continued, undeterred. "This festival could be your chance to show everyone what you're really capable of. You might be surprised to see that I'm not as shallow as you think.""Liam, if this ends up being a disaster, I will personally ensure that your name is synonymous with failure around here. You understand that, right?" He flashed a grin, the sincerity in his eyes still shining through despite her harsh words. "Sure, just consider it a friendly wager. I'm good with that.""Fine! But don't think for a second I'm going to lighten up just because we're working together. You'll still be the same annoying twig in my side, and I'll be sure to let you know it," she warned, folding her arms defiantly."That's all I ask!" Liam said, almost giddily. "You won't regret it, Aria. Just give it a shot!"With a heavy sigh, Aria felt the weight of her walls pressing down on her. Glancing at his persistent smile, she couldn't help but feel that beneath the prickly surface, perhaps this partnership might lead to something unexpected—and maybe, just maybe, it could lead her to something more than she had ever dared to seek.

New chapters added to "Eternal Promises" everyday! Check it out everyday before midnight (EST) for a new chapter before you fall asleep. Enjoy some simple, theatrical romance, comedy, and tragedy between these two enemies-to-lovers in our newest book.