The days after their meeting at the library were a blur for Liam. He couldn't help but replay the moment over and over in his mind—the way Cara had smiled, the warmth in her voice when she said she'd read his writing, how she'd leaned in just slightly when she spoke. It felt like something was shifting, though Liam couldn't quite figure out what.
But the shifting didn't stop when he saw her. It was also in the air between him and Ava, who had made it very clear she wanted his attention. As much as he tried to focus on the project, he felt torn. Was he supposed to act like everything was fine with Ava? Could he keep lying to her and himself about his feelings?
His phone buzzed again. Another message from Ava.
Ava: Hey, you up for a study session later? I promise I'll keep it focused on the work this time 😘
Liam sighed, his thumb hovering over the reply button. It wasn't that he didn't like Ava—she was fun, confident, and clearly interested in him. But his mind kept wandering back to Cara.
His phone buzzed again—this time it was Marcus.
Marcus: Bro, come out tonight. Zack's throwing a mini party at his place. It'll be good for the group. Need you to help me with something too. Let's go, man. You need a break.
Liam stared at the message, the words echoing in his head. He needed a break. He needed to stop overthinking. And maybe, just maybe, a night out with the guys would take his mind off everything. Or it might make it worse. Either way, he didn't want to be alone tonight.
He quickly typed a response to Marcus: Yeah, I'll be there.
By 9 p.m., the small party at Zack's apartment was in full swing. Loud music, laughter, and the smell of pizza filled the air as Liam walked in. It wasn't the kind of party where things got too wild—just a way for the guys to unwind after a week of classes and exams.
Zack was already at the center of the group, chatting with a few girls who had shown up, while Kenji and Josh were in the corner arguing over something that sounded like a video game. Marcus was in the kitchen, standing by the fridge with a grin plastered on his face.
"Good to see you finally here," Marcus said, handing him a beer. "You've been MIA all week."
Liam took the beer and sighed. "Just been busy with school."
Marcus didn't buy it, but he didn't push. "You still need a break, man. You've been wound up tight lately. Maybe tonight will help you loosen up."
Liam nodded, taking a swig. He scanned the room, trying to relax.
And that's when he saw her.
Her.
The girl who didn't belong. Yet she did.
Her name was Ivy, and she was new. She'd only started hanging out with them over the last couple of weeks. Ivy was a breath of fresh air—funny, smart, and just the right kind of playful to fit into their otherwise testosterone-heavy group.
She was sitting on the couch, laughing at something Zack had said, her brown hair cascading down her back. Ivy caught Liam's eye, and a grin crept onto her face.
"Hey, stranger," she said, patting the seat next to her. "You gonna stand there all night?"
Liam blinked, a little taken aback. She was teasing him. But there was something in her tone that felt... different.
"Uh, sure," he said, walking over. "I didn't know you were coming tonight."
Ivy smirked. "I didn't either until Zack dragged me out of my dorm. But I'm glad I came. Feels like we're finally getting the whole group together."
Liam smiled back, sitting down next to her. "Yeah, the guys do have a way of pulling everyone in."
She leaned back against the couch, looking at him with those sparkling green eyes. "So, how's the project with Cara going?"
Liam froze, the smile slowly fading from his face. "You know about that?"
Ivy raised an eyebrow. "Did you think I wouldn't notice? You're a little too distracted when you talk about her."
He swallowed. She was way too observant.
"It's not like that," he muttered. "We're just partners."
"Sure, sure," she said, playfully nudging him. "Partners. I get it. But I'm gonna be honest. You're way too quiet about her to be just 'partners.'"
Liam shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "It's complicated."
"I can tell." Ivy's voice softened, her teasing smile turning serious for a moment. "But you don't have to hide it. If you want to talk about it, you know you can."
He looked at her, feeling the weight of her words. Ivy wasn't like the other girls. She had a way of getting under his skin, of seeing past the layers he'd put up.
Before he could answer, the music shifted to something slower, and the energy in the room began to change. Zack was the first to stand up, pulling Ivy into a dance. "Come on, let's show these guys how it's done!"
Liam watched as Ivy laughed, letting herself be pulled into the dance. She was carefree, her laugh ringing out like a melody in the room. And for a moment, Liam felt like he was watching someone else's life unfold.
He glanced over at the guys. Zack was laughing, Kenji was pretending to be cool in the background, and Josh was already half-drunk, making jokes about the slow song.
But his mind kept returning to Cara.
The night dragged on, and the conversation swirled around him. He wasn't really part of it, not in the way he wanted to be. He was too lost in his thoughts. Too lost in her.
He glanced over at Ivy again, who was now sitting with Zack, and then his eyes flicked to Cara's face, which had come to haunt him during the past few days. Was it time to finally admit that things with her were more than just a project?