The night air was cool as Liam and Ava strolled along the quiet street, their hands brushing occasionally but never quite touching. She smiled at him, her dark hair falling in loose waves over her shoulders, and Liam felt a sense of calm wash over him. Being with Ava was easy, like slipping into a warm embrace after a long day."So," Ava said softly, glancing up at him with those sparkling eyes, "how does it feel to be back in the game?"Liam smiled, his heart light for the first time in days. "Surreal, honestly. One minute I'm drowning in spreadsheets, and the next I'm stepping onto a movie set. I still can't believe it's happening."Ava nudged him playfully with her shoulder. "Believe it, superstar. You're living your dream." She paused, her expression turning thoughtful. "You know, I remember when we were kids, dreaming about this. You'd rehearse your lines while I tried to figure out the best way to produce our little plays. It feels like a lifetime ago."He chuckled, the warmth of their shared memories enveloping them. "And now look at us. You're helping me navigate this crazy world."They reached a small park, and Ava stopped, her gaze settling on a nearby bench. "Do you remember this spot?" she asked, her voice tinged with nostalgia.Liam chuckled, the memory flooding back. "Of course I do. This is where we used to hang out, dreaming about our futures."Ava sat down on the bench, patting the spot next to her. "I've always wanted to produce something big, you know? I'm working at a theater now, learning the ropes. But seeing you here, doing what we always talked about, makes me realize how close we are to our dreams."As Liam joined her, their shoulders brushed, and for a moment, it was as though nothing had changed. They were just two friends sharing their hopes and dreams under the stars.But things had changed. Liam could feel it in the way Ava's hand rested lightly on his, the way her eyes lingered on him a little longer than before. The air between them crackled with something new, something unspoken."Liam," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves, "I'm really proud of you."He turned to look at her, his chest tightening at the sincerity in her gaze. "I couldn't have done this without you, Ava."Her lips curved into a soft smile, and without thinking, Liam leaned in. The kiss was gentle at first, sweet and tender, like all the moments they had shared leading up to it. It felt right, like something that had been building for years. Ava kissed him back, her fingers brushing against his cheek, and for a moment, the world disappeared.But as the kiss deepened, a sudden thought flickered in the back of Liam's mind—her. The other woman. The one who had been pulling him in a different direction, igniting something in him that he hadn't felt in a long time. Something dangerous. Something irresistible.Later that night...The room was dimly lit, shadows dancing along the walls as Liam paced back and forth. He had tried to shake off the feeling, but his thoughts kept drifting back to her. The other woman. He had barely known her, but there was no denying the chemistry between them.She had been there during one of the late-night shoots, her sultry smile catching him off guard as she sauntered over, her presence commanding the room. There was something electrifying about her—something that made his pulse race.And now, as Liam found himself alone in his apartment, the memory of her lingered like smoke. He was drawn to her, in a way that was different from Ava. While Ava made him feel safe, this woman made him feel alive, as if he were teetering on the edge of something thrilling, something dangerous.A knock at the door broke through his thoughts, and when he opened it, she was standing there."Hey," she purred, her eyes glinting mischievously as she leaned against the doorframe. "Thought I'd drop by and see how you were holding up."Liam's heart pounded in his chest, and he swallowed hard, trying to keep his cool. "I'm… good. What are you doing here?"She stepped inside, her fingers grazing his arm as she walked past him, sending a shiver down his spine. "Just thought you might need some company. These long shoots can get lonely, you know?"Her voice was smooth, dripping with allure, and before Liam could even process what was happening, she was close, too close. Her lips brushed his ear, her breath warm against his skin."Tell me, Liam," she whispered, her fingers tracing a slow path down his arm, "have you been thinking about me? Because I've been thinking about you."His pulse quickened, and he could feel the pull, the temptation that was impossible to ignore. There was nothing sweet or safe about this moment. It was raw, intense, and undeniably magnetic.Liam knew he should step back, should resist, but something about the way she looked at him—like he was the only person in the world—made it impossible to turn away.And just like that, he was lost in the fire of the moment, their lips crashing together in a kiss that was nothing like the one he had shared with Ava. This was heat, passion, and a thrilling sense of danger that left him breathless.