change of heart 8

Liam wasn't nervous.

He refused to call it that.

He'd gone on plenty of dates before. This was no different. Except… maybe it was.

Because this time, it wasn't some random person he'd met at a bar. This time, it wasn't just a casual thing he already knew wouldn't go anywhere.

This time, Daniel had set him up. And despite how much he'd groaned about it, some part of him—some annoying, hopeful part—actually wanted this to go well.

Her name was Maya.

She was smart, funny, and didn't take herself too seriously—Liam could tell that much within five minutes of meeting her. She sat down across from him in the little coffee shop, raised an eyebrow, and said, "So, how much did Daniel have to bribe you to show up?"

Liam smirked. "Shockingly, none. He just wore me down with sheer persistence."

Maya laughed. "Yeah, that sounds like him."

And just like that, the tension eased.

The conversation flowed easily—something that surprised Liam, considering how much he hated small talk. But Maya didn't do small talk. She asked real questions, made sarcastic remarks, and laughed at his deadpan humor in a way that made him feel… comfortable.

Which was weird.

Liam didn't do comfortable with strangers.

And yet, halfway through the date, he realized he wasn't checking the time. He wasn't thinking about how long he had to stay before calling it a night.

He actually wanted to be here.

Maya tilted her head at him. "You're thinking about something."

Liam blinked. "What?"

She smirked. "You just got this really serious look, like you were having some deep, philosophical realization."

Liam chuckled. "I was just thinking this isn't as painful as I expected."

Maya gasped, putting a hand over her heart. "Wow. High praise."

Liam smirked. "Hey, from me? It is."

Maya laughed, shaking her head. "You really don't date much, do you?"

Liam shrugged. "Not really my thing."

Maya studied him for a second. "Huh. Well… maybe it could be."

Liam opened his mouth to respond—then shut it. Because for the first time in a long time, he wasn't so sure of his answer.

Later that night, he met up with Daniel at their usual bar.

Daniel took one look at him and grinned. "You liked her."

Liam rolled his eyes. "Calm down."

"But you did," Daniel teased.

Liam sighed, then finally admitted, "Yeah. I did."

Daniel raised his glass. "To new beginnings."

Liam smirked, clinking his drink against Daniel's.

Maybe—just maybe—this was the start of something different.

And for once?

Liam was okay with that.