Chapter 164: Don't Just Take

Liam stayed by my side, his voice calm and steady as he tried to comfort me. Warmth crept into my chest, something I hadn't felt in a long time. Before today, I'd written him off as a smooth talker, someone who just wanted to flirt. But right now? He felt genuine. Real. Like he actually cared. I cried until my whole body ached, soaking his shoulder without even realizing it. By the time I pulled back, a dark patch covered his shirt. "I'm sorry," I said softly, embarrassed as I glanced at the mess I'd made. "I ruined your shirt." He gave a quick shrug, brushing it off like it was nothing. "As long as you're okay. Honestly, you scared me for a second there. Thought I'd said something wrong." "It wasn't you," I murmured, tucking my hair behind my ear. "I just… had a lot bottled up." Liam smiled, easy and reassuring. "If you ever need to talk, you can tell me. We're friends now, right?" Friends. The word sounded strange on my tongue, but when I looked into his clear, boyish eyes, I felt so