I Choose You

Chapter 27: Blowup

          "Please tell me you don't have to leave," Liam says, his arms around her, cheek against her shoulder. The morning after the unsuspecting proposal.

          "Mm," she groans.

          "That a no?" he laughs.

          "It's a, I should have left last night."

          "Stay here," he smiles. Sloane sitting up and running her fingers through her hair. "Sloane I'm falling for you."

          She doesn't say anything.

          "I know, I know. You have a boyfriend or should I say fiancé and you love him."

          "If you know then why did you say anything," Sloane says, her fingers sliding across his chest.

          "I don't know, because I guess I hope you just change your mind one day."

          "Liam," she sighs. She watches him get up and disappear into the bathroom. "Shit," she mumbles to herself.

          He comes out a few minutes later, now clad in basketball shorts that are hanging low on his hips. Sloane already has her jeans and bra on when he comes out, trying to find her shirt from last night—her engagement ring back on.

          "Sloane, we don't need to do this anymore."

          "I told you," pulling on her shirt, "I was only doing this until someone felt something," Sloane states, walking out of the room.

          "Hope he makes you happy," Liam says, following her down the hallway.

          "You know he does," she says quietly, pulling on her boots.

          "Are you sure?"

          "Yes. I'm sure."

          "Or are you just with him because he has money? And because he gave you that diamond that is on your finger?"

          Sloane looks at him, tears forming in her eyes as they've never brought up money. "How dare you. I'm with him because I love him. Our timing wasn't right," opening the door, "or the ring on my finger would be from you," she says, shutting the door behind her.

          He stands there in the foyer, running his hand through his hair. Liam walks into his living room and sitting on the couch as he hits his hand on the glass coffee table, which shatters. Gunner sits at the doorway looking at him, then whining and scratching at the door.

          "She's not coming back buddy," Liam sighs, Gunner walking over and joining Liam on the couch.

          Sloane meets Hope for lunch at Nico's, a family-owned Italian restaurant. Hope walks in a few minutes later.

          "Sorry I'm late," she sighs sitting down. "Are you okay?"

          "Mhm," Sloane smiles. "How was work?"

          "It was okay, but are you sure?"

          "Yes," Sloane laughs. "I'm fine," showing Hope the ring.

          "When did this happen?" she gawks, looking at the ring.

          "Last night at dinner with his parents."

          "It's beautiful."

          "Thanks," she sits back.

          "So, what does this mean for you and Liam?"

          "It's done."

          "For real this time? Because last time you said that you guys were back to doing whatever you were doing a couple of weeks later," Hope points out.

          "No," she sighs, but knowing Hope is right. "It's done."

          "Okay," she nods. "You know you're not acting that excited for someone who is engaged."

          "I am. I'm thrilled," Sloane smiles.

          Hope watches her, knowing Sloane's mind is on something else but not pushing it anymore.