ENTANGLED HEARTS

een there for nearly an hour, hoping-foolishly-that Liam wouldn't show. But deep down, she knew he woul

ow, partly to avoid distractions

hone b

hosting me al

Let me in before I star

ough, he stood there, grinning like he was

bail," he said as

ou would,"

tretching his long legs out under the table

hands once. "Let's get this ove

n't read

ed it. Th

controversial societal issue and prepare a two-part presentat

brow. "So, like...

lat look. "That's

nnoyingly

for research. Liam didn't usually do group projects-he found a way to either charm his way throug

ld habits

about love vs. lust?"

"Do you always turn e

ing back. "Just the th

t her at

curious and cautious. "Yo

gaze. "I kn

em shifted. Less snark, more some

said, pulling up a document. "Let's pick

in modern society'? Everyone talks about canc

"That... ac

in. "Told you I

he saw the corner of her m

r Tha

had decent ideas-when he wasn't trying to be funny. He had a strange mix of sarcasm

she finally asked,

hen casually slung his ba

ge. But they hate to admit w

ut, leaving her s

ext Mo

hotos on his phone. He paused at one-him and his sister a

ot at school. Not in his old circle of

or uptight-but because she seemed to see through him. And for the fir

hought off and

ng with a group of guys, spinning a story with exaggerated hand motio

yes when he turned away from the g

he was

r knew acting

he did it

thoughts in journals she never let anyone read. Her silence was armor, and she wore it proudly. So having

in the library to plan their project. She figured

was w

ocus mode?" Liam asked, breaking

. "You ever stop talking

at's the kind of banter peopl

vie. And if we were, you'd be the throwaw

gh to earn a shushing

but I know I'm

op shut. "Can we just

pression shifting. "Okay

. Not because she liked him-God no-but because for the first time i

how easily it

ntion. Ava was different-sharp, guarded, low-key intimidating. And that intrigued him. Most people

ave her more "mental flow." He still had no idea what that meant, but he didn't argue. Watching her tuck her legs

discomfort. And he didn't

opic," she murmured, eyes scanning the s

that's t

nt to spill your trauma on

han faking interest in, l

oft, unexpected s

im. Not a sarcastic breath or a bitter scoff. A

nto this project?"

d. "What d

type." His jaw tightened a little. "You don't kn

, quieter. "Let's just say... I owe someone an apology I never gave. And th

a moment. Ava didn't pus

id. "Let's make

r Tha

udy hall on Friday. And with every hour they spent together, t

s still