Sophia had never been one for spontaneity, but as she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleek black dress that hugged her figure perfectly, she found herself second-guessing her decision to go out with Liam. It wasn't a date, she kept reminding herself. Just two people trying to forget the strain of their forced marriage. But the flutter of nerves in her stomach told a different story.
She took one last look at herself, checking for any signs of vulnerability she might be letting slip through. Nothing out of the ordinary. Her hair was neatly styled, makeup flawless. The woman in the mirror was confident, composed. She wasn't the kind of person who let her guard down.
The sound of a knock on the door jolted her out of her thoughts. "Ready?" Liam's voice called from the other side.
"Give me a second," she replied, gathering her composure. She took a deep breath, trying to push down the wave of unease creeping up her spine. The idea of spending time with him outside of their usual animosity felt like walking a tightrope.
When she finally opened the door, Liam's gaze swept over her in a way that made her heart beat a little faster. He was dressed casually, but his presence was commanding as always. A slight smile played at the corner of his lips. "You look... different," he said, his voice almost too soft.
Sophia raised an eyebrow, refusing to let his words affect her. "You don't look so bad yourself."
Liam chuckled, a low, almost amused sound that made her stomach flip. "Shall we?" He extended his arm toward her, the gesture strangely formal but sincere.
Reluctantly, Sophia took his arm, her mind racing. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She was supposed to keep her distance, to not let herself get tangled in whatever this was between them. But she couldn't help it. Every little interaction—every lingering look—was making it harder to separate the business arrangement from something more complicated.
They walked down to the car in silence, the tension between them thick but not uncomfortable. As they drove through the city streets, neither of them spoke, but the silence wasn't the cold, stifling kind they'd been used to. It was... easier. Almost peaceful.
When they arrived at a quiet rooftop restaurant, the ambiance was just as serene. The view of the city lights spread out below them was breathtaking, but Sophia couldn't focus on anything but the man sitting across from her. His presence felt different tonight, and so did she. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a dangerous one.
Liam studied her quietly for a moment before speaking, his tone casual. "You're not going to bite my head off, are you?"
Sophia smirked, leaning back in her chair. "For tonight? I'll try not to."
The playful exchange was a small crack in their armor, and for the first time in a long while, Sophia felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, there could be more between them than either of them had expected.