*Note to reader: I feel like no one's reading this so if you are and have any comments or suggestions please write them! I'm feeling discouraged. Thanks. x
My heart sank. No way I was letting anyone know about that text. Silence sounded from the back of the flat so I assumed Zak was still consumed by his novel. I knew I had about .2 seconds to decide on a plan of action or I’d break down in front of my best friend, ruining his high and depressing myself for the remainder of the night. I grabbed my phone and dialed a number before I had the chance to chicken out. “Hey, can we go somewhere?” I gulped nervously.
“Of course! I’ll be at yours in ten.” Liam smiled through the phone and hung up.
I took a few moments to check my makeup in the mirror. Satisfied with what I looked like I called back to Zak, “Heading out now, lovie! See you later.” Handbag and phone in hand I headed out the door and waited in the lobby area downstairs. A red Audi pulled up front and Liam hopped out with a wave a few minutes later, so I gathered myself up and went out to greet him. “I’m so glad you called or I’d have lain on the couch with Loki all night. Gotta get out sometimes!” He smiled from his pink lips up to his shining brown eyes and held his arms out for a hug. “Same! Minus the dog part though.” I winked, graciously accepted the warm hug. He led me round to the passenger side and opened the door before climbing in his side and starting the car. “What are we feeling tonight?” He asked me. I paused a moment before responding with, “Chinese and a movie sound alright?” I noticed he was looking intently at me the whole time, maybe too intently. “That sounds perfect.” He answered sincerely.
Liam put on the radio in the car as we drove to the restaurant and I found myself thinking things I grew ashamed of. Things that had to do with his biceps and kind eyes and willingness to always be there for me. I didn’t want to feel guilty. We were friends. It wasn’t my choice for him to be as perfect as he was. Before I knew it the car pulled to a stop and Liam was opening my door once more. We ordered some vegetable lo mein, general tso’s chicken and ham fried rice with those crispy crab things I like so much. Back in the car Liam raised an eyebrow as if to ask if it’d be okay to go back to his. I nodded and said I was picking the movie. We sat smiling and chatting on about how I’d never met Loki but needed some animal love since I missed my babies back home.
I’d never been to Liam’s flat but I think it was exactly as I’d have expected it. Everything was black and white and clean… which remarkably matched his husky pup Loki, actually. I giggled and mentioned that to him but Liam blushed and grew immediately embarrassed for some odd reason. I brushed it off as we ate and washed the food down with a few beers. He didn’t even make fun of me for enjoying an amber ale with lime like most men would. I really appreciated that because beer kind of tastes like ass most of the time. Okay, maybe it was more than a few beers. I was feeling really good and Liam was looking really good. “I like your hair short.” I told him, reaching out to touch the soft buzz cut. He flushed, “Uh, thanks. How about that movie?” We walked into the living room and he set out his array of discs. I noticed the common factor. “Li, these are all Disney.” He grew flustered, “Yeah, I like them best.. always have.” I know I shouldn’t have thought that was as cute as I did. I laughed it off and chose Toy Story 2. His grin told me I chose wisely.
Little Loki hopped onto the couch and nestled into my arms for the movie while poor Liam sat with a pillow to hold. About halfway through the movie I realized just how close we were sitting to one another and my face beat red. I think he did too because out of the corner of my eye I saw Liam nervously try to run his fingers through his hair but came up short when he remembered he’d gotten a haircut.
Forcing my attention back to the screen, I sighed happily. Everything was going great. I hadn’t thought of Harry once and I was having fun. Liam reached an arm around me pulling me close, up onto his side. I let him snuggle me in and placed Loki on his lap. Liam chuckled as the dog settled down onto the couch. I felt his chest vibrate and I liked the sound and feel of him. We both knew this could be a bad idea- two lonely people spending time together, especially sitting this close- and I think neither of us cared. Zak would be so disappointed. I would be too. I was a one-man-woman, after all. But I couldn’t deny the attraction I felt to Liam. He was just always there.
"Rose?"
I turned to my side. “Yeah?”
"Are you okay?" Concern filled Liam’s voice as his eyes searched mine. He really was perfect. I bit my lip before looking him dead in the eyes again and said, "No." I could feel the tears coming. I hadn’t been honest with anyone about how I felt, not even myself. My head dropped.
Liam’s thumb propped my chin up and stroked the tender skin of my jawline. “Me neither.” His voice caught. My heart flipped… I wanted Liam Payne to kiss me. And I think he wanted to kiss me too.
I didn’t really notice when it happened but at some point Loki had exited the premises, eliminating any barriers between us. Liam was conflicted, I could tell. However, his hand was still at my chin and I longed for it to travel elsewhere. He seemed to be asking for permission so I leaned into his hand, feeling soft skin against my sensitive cheek. His hand opened and moved to brace my neck while his other found a home at the small of my back. They were warm and gentle but not as large or rugged as Harry’s, I noticed in passing.
My breathing caught as Liam’s face moved closer to mine and I found myself leaning into him. Our noses touched, making us both smile. Liam rubbed his against mine like an Eskimo kiss in a movement so entirely sweet I almost jumped his bones right then and there. His nose slowly nudged to the side as his lips met my own. The kiss was soft and slow. He tasted just like the lime-hinted beer I like so much. In a quick but careful motion he lifted me up and on top of his lap, leaving his hands rested on the curve of my hips. I lightly trailed my tongue around his upper lip and he squeezed my hips and bum tight in response. We sat there making out for what seemed like an eternity. I eventually pulled back shyly to ask the time. Liam checked his watch and replied, “Ten after one.”
"Shit! I’ve got to get back or Zak will worry." I exclaimed unhappily.
Liam pecked me lightly on the lips and said, “I’ll grab the keys.”
We walked up to my flat with his arm around me. I stopped him at the door and turned to him. “I really appreciate you hanging out with me tonight. ” I smiled sincerely, blushing at the rush of thoughts about the latter half of our evening.
"You looked too beautiful not to be shown a good time." He answered, deepening my blush."And that shade does wonders on you." He lifted my chin so I could see into his shining dark eyes. "We can talk later but I don’t want you to forget about me. You deserve so much." With that he kissed me once more and left.
Inside the flat I wrote a Post-it note to the now sleeping Zak: “Hey handsome! Sorry for getting in so late. Long story. Catch up tomorrow.”
I changed into shorts and a tee before completing my night time rituals and crawling in the bed next to a curled up Zak. I knew I needed to tell him everything, I just wasn’t sure how to do it. I had to face the facts after tonight. I definitely realized I have some feelings for Liam. I also knew I was most definitely not over Harry Heartbreaker Styles.
