Second Chances

Part 10

We pulled into the mall, and we walked inside. “Let’s go to Top Shop first.” Diana said, dragging me inside the store, with Liam following close behind. I wasn’t sure if he was her ‘Brother’, ‘Daddy’, ‘Bodyguard’ or mix of all three, but either way, I stayed on my best behavior.

“Ooo. This would look so cute on you.” Diana pointed out, pulling out a black crop top. I went to take it, but she retracted it, “Niall did this to me, and now I doing it for you. This is a ’No worries shopping spree’, meaning you don’t have to worry about prices. So, don’t look at the tags, got it.” I nodded, and she handed it to me.

We went to many stores and I probably had a full wardrobe by the time we made it to our last store, Debs. “Ooh. This would be perfect.” Diana said, producing a leather jacket with small spikes on the collar. I loved it, but I didn’t wear leather since that night with Troy. “I don’t know…” I said. “Oh, come on…”  she said, lowering her voice into a whisper, “Leather is one of Liam’s more secret turn-ons.”

Seriously, the last two guys I liked loved leather?

“Fine…” I said, taking it from her, “As long as I don’t wear anymore. I’d rather not look like a hooker.” She smiled, and looked for something to pair with it. “Um… how low are your scars?” she asked, even more quiet than before. I frowned, “Not very. They’re very high up. I can wear most mini skirt with only the very tips showing.” She smiled, and pulled out a plaid skirt with a leather waistband, “Sorry for the rest of the leather.” “Nah. It’s cute.” I said, accepting it, with a black top, I scurried into the dressing room, and changed into the full outfit.

I walked out, and Liam’s eyes hit me. “Wow…” he said, genuinely. I wasn’t sure what it was about my outfit that he was saying wow about, but I blushed regardless. He looked different, like I was different. He looked at me like I wasn’t gonna hurt Diana; that I was normal again. He looked at me with the acceptance I wanted so badly from him. Then, he stood up, and walked away. I tilted my head, confused.

What did I do wrong now?

After several minutes of sitting in my dressing room, wondering what I did wrong, I saw Liam’s shoes in front of my door. “I have something I’d like you to try on…” he said, shyly.

This was the first shy thing I’ve heard him say before.

“If that where you went?” I asked, and he made a “Mhmm” sound. I sighed in relief, “Good. I was afraid I did something wrong.” “Not at all.” Liam said, “Now, can I give you this? My arms about to fall off.” I giggled, and told him to lift it over the door. He did so, and I grabbed the hanger, paying more attention to his tattoos, than the item he gave me. He retracted his arm, and I looked at what Liam gave me; A beautiful purple high-low dress. I looked at it in awe; Liam wanted me to try on this dress?

I obeyed, and walked out of the dressing room. Liam motioned me to twirl. I giggled as I did so, and he smiled, “Yup. That’s the one.”

The one? What was this man planning?

“For what?” I asked. “Well, if you’d like… I was planning on taking you out for dinner. To get you know you better… Give you your second chance.” he explained, nervously placing his hands in his pockets, “What do you say?”

My heart almost jumped out of my chest; not only was Liam accepting me, but he was taking me on a date. I smiled, “I’d love that.” He smiled back, “Me too.” “So…” I said, before walking back to the dressing room, “How are you breaking this to Diana that she’s buying a new dress for me?” “”She’s not.” Liam said, “I am… Consider it an apology for yelling at you in Starbucks the other day.” “You don’t have to.” I said, “I deserved to be yelled at.” I went to look at the tag, but Liam grabbed my hand, gently, “No one deserves to be embarrassed like that. I can’t take back what I said…” “Because it’s true.” I said, and he put his free hand on my face, “…But I’m willing to try to forgive…”

I met his eyes, and this felt like a dream. He smiled, and pulled his hands away, “Now get changed, I’ll find Diana and we can go home.”

Home. I now had a home.