STRANGERS,SPARKS AND SECOND CHANCES

*Chapter 8*

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The music had shifted to something deeper—still upbeat, but smoother now, the kind that settled into your skin. The air inside the house was warm and full of motion, people weaving in and out of conversations, drinks in hand, laughter echoing off the walls.

That's when Eve returned, a tall guy trailing behind her. He stood out—clean-cut, dark skin that caught the colored lights just right, a lean frame that suggested both strength and ease. He wore a fitted grey tee, black jeans, and confidence like it cost nothing.

"Cat, Sarah—this is my cousin, Liam," Eve said with a grin. "He's in town for the weekend."

Liam's eyes landed on me first, and something subtle passed between us—just a flicker. Like recognition. Except we'd never met.

"Hey," he said, his voice smooth, his smile easy. "So you're the Catherine I've heard about."

I raised a brow. "Hopefully all good things?"

Eve laughed, slipping away with Sarah. "Don't believe anything he says."

Liam leaned in a little. "Guess I've already lost credibility. Shame."

I smiled despite myself. "Gotta work for it now."

He chuckled. "Fair enough."

We stood there talking—at first, just the usual stuff. Where I schooled. What he did ("freelance videography, mostly… and dodging family expectations"). Then it unraveled into random things. Favorite cartoons as kids. The weirdest pizza topping we'd tried. I couldn't remember the last time a conversation flowed this effortlessly.

He had this calm charm, a quiet humor that didn't try too hard, and when he laughed, it wasn't loud—but it lit up his whole face. 

At some point, I caught myself comparing him to Matthew. The way Liam listened, really listened. The way he didn't fill silence with ego. The way I didn't feel like I was being studied or evaluated. 

Then, I mentally scolded myself. *Stop it, Cat. Don't go down that road again.*

Still, I couldn't ignore it—this… *click*.

I looked up to see Sarah giving me a look from across the room, a not-so-subtle smirk on her face. Eve whispered something to her, then they both grinned and started drifting away.

"You've been abandoned," Liam said.

"Wouldn't be the first time," I replied.

Liam smiled, that easy grin lighting up his face. "This music's a little too loud for a proper chat, huh?" 

I nodded, glancing around. The party was buzzing, but I needed a break from the crowd. 

"Want to step outside ? It's quieter, and I promise I'm not going to disappear on you." he joked. 

I hesitated—then shrugged. "Okay, lead the way.

We stepped outside into the cooler night air. The patio was dimly lit, fairy lights strung along the railing, the music inside now just a low hum through the walls. Crickets chirped in the background. Peaceful. A nice contrast to the warm, packed room inside. 

"This is nice," I said softly.

He glanced at me. "You seem… like someone who likes her quiet."

I smiled. "You're not wrong."

"I figured. There's something grounded about you."

I looked at him, surprised. "Most people say I overthink too much."

"That too," he teased. "But it's not a bad thing."

Liam leaned casually against the railing, turning toward me. "So, what's your go-to dance move at parties? Be honest."

I laughed. "Honestly? I have two left feet. I mostly pretend I know what I'm doing."

He chuckled. "That's perfect. I'm terrible at dancing, too. Maybe we can just invent some new moves."

His eyes locked on mine, playful and warm. "You know, it's kind of unfair—everyone else is inside dancing, and here we are just talking."

I smirked, feeling the chemistry spark. "I like this better. More fun than stepping on toes."

Liam stepped a little closer. "I'm glad you think so. Because I was hoping for an excuse to talk to you without the noise."

I caught my breath as the space between us shrank. "Smooth," I teased.

"Maybe," he grinned. "But I'm serious."

The air hung thick with something electric—laughter mingled with quiet glances, a teasing dance before anything else.

I looked up at him, feeling the buzz of the moment settle in my chest. Liam's eyes flicked down to my lips, then back to my eyes, like he was daring himself to cross some invisible line.

"So," I said, trying to sound casual, "what's the story behind you and Eve? You two look pretty tight."

He smiled wider, a little proud. "Cousins. We grew up like partners in crime—she's the wild one, I'm the voice of reason. Usually."

I laughed. "Sounds like a perfect balance."

He nodded. "Yeah, she's definitely the spark. But tonight… well, I think I'm the lucky one."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks, but I held his gaze.

Liam took a small step closer, his voice lowering just enough to feel like a secret. "You ever get the feeling someone just… gets you, even when you barely know them?"

My heart sped up, but I tried to keep cool. "Sometimes. But it's rare."

"Yeah," he said softly, "and maybe that's what makes moments like this worth it."

He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear, fingers lingering a little longer than necessary.

I swallowed hard, caught between wanting to pull away and leaning in.

He chuckled, then grew quieter. "I'm glad you're here tonight, Cat."

My heart skipped. "Me too."

The backyard felt like a world apart from the noisy party, the warm glow of the string lights wrapping us in a soft, golden haze. Liam's smile was mischievous, his eyes sparkling as he leaned a little closer.

"If this was a movie," he said, voice low and teasing, "this would be the part where I kiss you."

I raised an eyebrow, pretending to think it over. "Oh really? And what makes you so sure I'd go along with that?"

He chuckled, the sound rich and easy. "Because I'm charming, and you're curious."

I shook my head, laughing. "You're quite confident."

He shrugged, his fingers brushing lightly against mine. "Confidence is half the fun. The other half is seeing if you can handle it."

The space between us shrank, our breaths mingling. I could feel the heat of him close, that quiet electric charge in the air.

"Alright," I said, my voice soft but playful. "But only if you promise not to make me regret it."

I bit my lip, caught between hesitation and the pull of the moment. The way his gaze searched mine, so full of hope and something deeper, made it impossible to pull away.

Slowly, he closed the last inch, his lips brushing mine in a gentle, tentative kiss that quickly deepened. It was soft and warm, electric and comforting all at once. My hands found their way to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart as if it synced with mine.

When we finally parted, his forehead rested against mine, and he smiled—a quiet, knowing smile that spoke of new beginnings.

"Maybe we're not so bad at following scripts after all," he murmured.

His grin was wider, eyes dancing. "So… how's that for a movie moment?"

I smiled back, heart pounding but light. "Definitely worth a sequel."

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The muffled beat of the party faded into the background as we found ourselves tucked away in a quiet corner of the backyard. String lights draped overhead cast a warm, golden glow, their flickering shadows dancing gently across Liam's face. His eyes—deep, dark, and impossibly warm—caught the light in a way that made it hard to look away. 

Liam stood tall and lean, his athletic build evident beneath the casual white shirt that clung just enough to suggest the strength beneath. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing toned forearms that hinted at hours spent in the gym or maybe outdoors. His dark, wavy hair was slightly tousled, giving him a carefree, effortless charm that somehow felt magnetic. There was an easy confidence in the way he moved, not arrogant but assured, like he belonged in every room he entered.

Our hands found each other's naturally, fingers weaving together like they'd done it a thousand times before. The touch was light but electric, grounding me in the moment.

He smiled—a slow, teasing curl of his lips that made the space between us shrink. "Tell me something honest," Liam said, his voice low and smooth, like a secret waiting to be shared. "What's the craziest thing you've done just to push yourself out of your comfort zone?"

I smiled, feeling the warmth of the night and the comfort of his presence. "Honestly? Showing up here tonight. I was trying to stay buried in my room, pretending everything was fine when it wasn't."

Liam nodded thoughtfully, his eyes never leaving mine. "Sometimes, the best things happen when we're forced out of hiding."

The words settled over me like a gentle promise. We stood there, wrapped in a bubble of quiet and warmth away from the crowd, sharing little secrets and laughter that felt both new and familiar, neither rushing, both savoring the tension that hung like a delicate thread between us.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw Sarah and Eve waving from the party entrance, reminding me we weren't completely alone tonight.

Liam caught my gaze and smiled softly. "Looks like we should head back."

I nodded, a little reluctantly, slipping my hand from his arm.

"Tonight's been… unexpected," I said, my voice low.

"The best nights usually are," he replied.

As we walked back, side by side, I realized I hadn't felt this alive in a long time.

Maybe this was exactly what I needed.

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