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Chapter 25: Love is Loud

"BUSY?" Adam asked.

I lifted my eyes from the computer monitor for what seemed like the first time since I had arrived at the office that morning. I realized the sunlight was no longer trickling through the window blinds which meant it was already the afternoon. Adam was poking his head around the door, a coy smile on his face. The last time we had spoken was after the housewarming, over a week had gone by since that. We texted a couple of times, but I was politely avoiding him.

"Hey, you! Didn't know you were here," I said, taking my glasses off.

He slowly walked inside the room, "Yeah, I came to check on a few cases, I walked by your office earlier, but you looked so focused, I didn't want to disturb..."

I puffed out my cheeks and rested my head on my left hand, my elbow pressed to the desk, "Yeah, we're slammed these days. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm glad, but we had to admit we'll need a lot more people helping around. Lena is filming, and I will be back to work sooner rather than later."

"I could make some calls if you want, I know of people who would be glad to volunteer," he offered.

I smiled and nodded, "That would be great, Adam."

Rubbing his nape he said, "I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite or coffee...or water! I'm open to suggestions." 

"I could use some food," I grinned, "Let me send this e-mail so we can go."

I suggested that we went to the Starbucks located next door to the office; it was a casual enough spot to avoid giving him any further wrong signals. 

After placing our orders, we sat at a table and, a few awkward silent seconds went by before Adam cleared his throat, "I'm terribly sorry for what happened the other night Liv, I don't know what got into me, and I can sense things shifted between us which is honestly not what I  was hoping for," he blurted, "after it all happened, I realized you were probably really with him and I was there pretending to be Liam Neeson or something."

I chuckled, "I didn't go to the party with him, but yeah, I kind of was leaving with him," I sat up looking straight into his widened eyes, "I'm sorry if I was misleading, Adam, I do really like you, and I enjoy the time we spend together a lot, but Harry and I, we have history, kind of unsolved history." 

I took a deep breath and licked my lips before continuing, "I wouldn't like to drag you into a situation that I honestly don't know how it's gonna end, or if it's going to last a day, a year, or my whole life, it wouldn't be fair to you."

He nodded, his eyes avoiding mine, "I understand, and appreciate your honesty," he said quietly.

"You are an amazing guy, I really wish I was in a different situation right now, but I don't want to stop you from meeting someone who can be worth of who you are and one hundred percent involved as you deserve," I continued.

"I also wish it could be different," he lamented, "you are so special Liv, you really really are."

 I smiled shyly not knowing what to say as he continued, "And I hope that guy treats you well or I'll continue what I started the other night and kick his ass."

I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous those words sounded coming from Adam's mouth, "Wow! Didn't know Liam was going to join us today!" I joked.

"Well, I could definitely kick his ass in Court! Against him in some civil case..." He couldn't hold the laughter much longer.

"I was hoping we could stay friends..." he said after our giggles faded.

"I'm glad you said it, of course, Adam, I would love that." Even though I knew this was the right thing to do, a part of me regretted that I couldn't have chosen the easier option and just fallen for Adam.