They danced and drank, letting the music and laughter wash away their worries. When Sharen, weary from a lively dance with Alex, settled beside Liam at the bar, he sensed her fatigue.
"Tired?" he inquired.
"Yes, but it was worth it. I had a blast out there," Sharen replied with a contented smile.
Liam saw through her facade. "I didn't ask about the dance," he gently remarked.
Sharen met his gaze, her expression somber. "So, you knew what we were up to all day," she stated, her tone devoid of accusation.
"You guys weren't exactly subtle," Liam quipped, a wistful edge to his voice as he glanced in Lea's direction, where she sat chatting with Lily on a nearby couch.
"Why don't you two talk it out? You can still be friends, even if romance is off the table. I've spent enough time with her to know she's genuine, not some schemer," Sharen suggested, her words laced with empathy.
"I want to, believe me. But every time I'm near her, I lose control. Especially after that confession. I feel like I should just forget about all the rules and just be with her," Liam confessed, his inner turmoil laid bare.
He downed his whiskey, seeking solace in the burn of alcohol against his throat.
Then he turned back to Sharen and said "I don't even know much about her and I just met her three months before but every time I try distancing myself from her I am falling even more head over heels to her. I can't explain this feeling in words".
"That's love for you," Sharen remarked, her tone understanding.
"Not exactly helpful," Liam retorted, though there was no malice in his words.
"The only advice I can give you for now is to go and speak to her and sort things out because that is the only way out of this web in which you are caught" Sharen advised.
"Will she speak with me? It's not that I did not try in these past few days" Liam said.
"Then try even harder this time, things might work out," Sharen said.
Liam sighed as he said "Okay, here goes nothing" and got up and went to where Lea was sitting.
"Can we talk?" Liam asked Lea as he approached her, his heart pounding with uncertainty.
Lea hesitated, weighing his words before nodding. "Yes, but let's step outside. It's too noisy in here," she agreed, leading the way to the tranquil embrace of the beach.
As they settled on the sand, Liam drew in a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead.
"I love you," Liam confessed, his words hanging heavy in the air.
"I…" Lea began to respond, but Liam interrupted, his tone serious. "I love you Lea but at the same time I can't love you," he clarified, his gaze unwavering.
Confusion clouded Lea's features. "What do you mean?"
Liam took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing, "Do you remember my uncle? The one I mentioned at the race track?"
Lea nodded, and asked, "Yes, what about him?"
"He had twins when I was five," Liam revealed, his expression solemn as he prepared to unravel the tangled threads of his past.
"What does that have to do with what we were speaking about?" Lea questioned confused
To which Liam answered "It does have a link to our conversation so just hear me out fully first" to which Lea nodded in agreement and then Liam continued.