Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Audrey
As I step out of the bathroom, Lily leads me to the balcony of their penthouse. When we reach it, I see Liam already waiting for me, and my breath catches in my throat.
He’s dressed in a perfectly tailored suit that accentuates his broad shoulders and lean frame. The deep navy color complements his sun-kissed skin and brings out the intense blue of his eyes. His hair is perfectly tousled as if he’s just run his fingers through it, and the sight of him sends a shiver down my spine. He looks like he’s just stepped out of a magazine, his chiseled features and confident stance making my knees weak.
As our eyes meet, the world around us seems to fade away. It’s as if time has frozen, and we’re the only two people in existence. The bustling city below us disappears, and the gentle breeze that tosses my hair becomes a distant memory. At this moment, there’s only Liam and me, our gazes locked in a silent conversation.
I feel a magnetic pull toward him, my body yearning to be closer to his. My heart pounds in my chest, and I’m sure he can hear it from where he stands. I take a tentative step forward, my eyes never leaving his. The intensity of his gaze sends a rush of heat through my body, and I find myself struggling to breathe.
As I draw nearer, Liam’s lips curve into a soft smile, and I can see the warmth and affection in his eyes. He reaches out, his fingers grazing my cheek, and I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. The simple gesture sends a jolt of electricity through my veins.
When I open my eyes, Liam is still looking at me, his gaze filled with an emotion I can’t quite decipher. It’s a mix of tenderness, longing, and something else that makes my heart skip a beat. I bite my lip, trying to steady my racing pulse.
“Keep doing what you’re doing,” Lily says, her voice filled with excitement as she snaps pictures of us. “These pictures are going to turn out great.”
“Stop looking at my sister like a lost puppy, you asshole,” Max yells from wherever he’s standing, his voice laced with annoyance. When I finally look toward him, he’s standing in a corner, arms crossed, and brows furrowed in disapproval.
“Ignore him,” Lily argues, dismissively waving her hand. She turns to Liam, her expression expectant. “Do you have the ring?”
Liam nods, a soft smile playing on his lips. He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. My breath hitches as he drops to one knee, his eyes never leaving mine. He opens the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring that glitters in the sunlight. With a gentle touch, he takes my hand, sliding the ring onto my finger. The cool metal against my skin sends a shiver down my spine, and I can’t help but marvel at how perfect it feels.
This is so perfect and yet a farce. Just a photo montage of something that might never happen to me in real life because I don’t seem to be able to find the right guy. A few tears begin to run down my cheeks.
“Hug her,” Lily says.
Immediately Liam complies. “You okay?”
I nod afraid of speaking.
“Why are you crying?” he asks.
“Proposals always make me cry,” I lie, but what else can I tell him? This is something I thought was close because I was hoping Ben would do it. I thought we were . . . Were we in love? I’ll be honest, neither one of us ever professed any love for each other. Now I’m just angry and confused about the whole situation.
I haven’t even given myself time to discern our relationship, and yet, I have to jump into the next thing—my fake engagement.
“You don’t know how to fake it,” Max mutters, shaking his head in disbelief.
“They’re doing fine,” Lily counters, her tone firm as she continues to capture the moment.
Ethan just watches us, his expression unreadable. He doesn’t have an opinion, or if he does, he’d rather not voice it right now. I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking.
Though, I want to understand why Max doesn’t buy it. He gives me a look that says he knows this will fail, his eyes narrowed and his mouth set in a grim line. I feel a pang of doubt in my chest, but I refuse to let it show.
“Have a little faith,” I say, almost defending us. My voice wavers slightly, betraying my own uncertainty.
“When this goes sideways—and it will—I’m just gonna sit back, eat some popcorn, and enjoy the show.” Max smirks, his tone dripping with sarcasm. He leans back against the railing, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp.
“God, shut up, Maximilian,” Liam mutters, his jaw clenched in frustration. He glances at me, his eyes softening for a moment before he turns back to Max, his expression hardening once more. “When you do something stupid I’m always there for you. This time, it is your turn to give me a hand.”
“Yeah, don’t jinx it,” I agree, even though my brother has a point. This smells of disaster.
I swallow hard, trying to push down the nagging feeling that this might not end well. I would hate to admit that my brother is right.
“I’m trying to be supportive and give you two all the tools to succeed, but I’m telling you that this is going to implode one way or another,” Max says, his voice taking on a more serious tone. He uncrosses his arms, taking a step toward us, his eyes filled with genuine concern. “Just tell the truth or fake like you broke up—irreconcilable differences or some shit—before you take it any further.”
“It’s not that simple,” I admit, my shoulders slumping slightly. I look down at the ring on my finger. It’s beautiful, maybe perfect. Just the thing Mom has been expecting since . . . Probably since I graduated from college.
“Why?” Max and Ethan ask simultaneously, their voices blending together in a chorus of confusion and curiosity. They exchange a glance, their brows furrowed as they wait for my response.
“Because . . .” The word dangles there. I take a shaky breath, my hands fidgeting with the hem of the top. “There are so many reasons. For one, Ben, my ex was a cheater who obviously won’t be coming. They’re going to think I made him up.”
“Well, maybe?—”
“Shut up, Max,” Liam warns him. “The asshole was married, and the wife went to confront your sister at the airport. Instead of teasing her, maybe you should be a little more supportive.”
Max swallows hard. “Sorry. I didn’t know. If you want, I can find him and kill him. I’ll make it look like an accident.”
I roll my eyes because seriously. My brother sometimes needs a reality check. “As I was saying, I’m always single, and I’m tired of our aunties patting my hand and telling me, ‘There’s someone for everyone, dear.’” I mimic Aunt Carol’s syrupy voice, my face scrunching up in a mixture of annoyance and frustration. The impersonation earns me a snort from Max, and I can’t help but feel a small sense of satisfaction.
“Okay, so we keep up the act. But just remember, Audrey Hepburn, this isn’t ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s.’ When reality bites, it bites hard.” Max shows his big brother concern in a way I haven’t seen in awhile. He usually lets me do my thing and believes I’ll get through it without needing anyone to lecture me or remind me to be careful because the world is a scary place.
I straighten my shoulders, my jaw set with determination. “Then help me make sure it doesn’t. Or better yet, just leave us to handle it ourselves.” I say, a half-serious ultimatum hanging between us—my heart pounds in my chest, wondering if I’ve pushed too far.
Max sighs, his shoulders slumping in resignation. “Fine, I’ll keep quiet,” he mutters, his brows knitting together. He runs a hand through his hair, a gesture of reluctant acceptance. “But when this blows, I’m claiming diplomatic immunity. I’m not part of this charade.”
I feel a wave of relief wash over me.
“Deal,” I reply, my stomach doing flips. Am I relieved or more nervous now? Who knows? I glance at Liam, whose eyes meet mine, and I can see the same uncertainty reflected in his gaze.
“It’s going to be okay. I’ll make sure of that. We’re in this together and I’ll never let anything happen to you—that includes having your family shame you for your life choices.” He mumbles, so only I can hear him.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. The weight of the ring on my finger seems to grow heavier with each passing second. The reminder that we’re creating a double life and I’m not very good at it. I know there’s no turning back now, but a part of me can’t help but wonder if Max is right and we’re making a huge mistake.
Liam reaches out, his fingers intertwining with mine. The warmth of his touch sends reassurance through my body, and I feel a sense of comfort wash over me.
And I shouldn’t be feeling this calm with him. But it’s been happening since I saw him at the airport. Maybe it’s just my broken heart searching for some kind of comfort, latching onto the familiarity that Liam provides. I take a shuddering breath, trying to push away the confusing thoughts that swirl in my mind.
Liam’s thumb gently caresses the back of my hand, and I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest. His touch is so soothing, so reassuring, that for a moment, I almost forget the chaos that surrounds us. I look up at him, my eyes searching his for answers I know I won’t find.
“Trust me. We’ll get through this together,” he whispers, his voice low and filled with a tenderness that catches me off guard. I can see the sincerity in his expression.
I nod, not trusting my voice to speak. The emotions that course through me are too raw, too overwhelming to put into words. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder, seeking the comfort that only he can provide at this time.
It’s only for now, but when will I be able to find someone like him? Someone who’s always there for me in my moments of struggle and relies on me during his own.