Page 57 of All That She Needs

I swallowed, finding his gaze becoming almost too heady. My cheeks started tingling with heat. "Is there somewhere we can talk? Maybe without an audience?"

"Yes, of course," Liam said, snapping himself back to the moment. He glanced around, scanning the meeting rooms, all of which were occupied. "Looks like the meeting rooms are full, and they're the only private spaces on this floor." Suddenly, he grabbed my hand and started leading me somewhere. "But I know the perfect place."

As we walked away, I heard Theo call out in the background, "You better keep the door open, young man!"

Without missing a beat, Liam replied, "No promises, Grandpa."

I let him lead me through the narrow hallway, passing rooms where I suspected the game room was. I stopped, making him pause as well. He followed my gaze. "Those video gamesthey're playing? They created them," he explained. "They're probably testing them right now."

"Oh," I mumbled, still watching with fascination.

"Come on," he said, tugging my hand and continuing down the hall. Judging by the size of his

office, I had a feeling it was much bigger than mine.

When we finally reached our destination at the end of the hallway, I was presented with three identical doors standing side by side.

"Is this...?" I pointed to the doors, remembering what Dennis had said about the three of them having bedrooms.

"I don't have a private office. None of us do. But I do have a private room." Liam walked to a panel beside the doors and pressed a few numbers. Then he swung open the door, revealing a modest room with a double bed under the window, a big screen on a small cabinet beside stacks of paperbacks, a two-seater sofa, and a work desk against the wall. The décor was simple and masculine, yet cozy, clearly a space where Liam spent a lot of his time.

"You don't live here, do you?" I asked, still standing in the doorway, unsure if I should step inside.

He chuckled softly. "Considering how much more time I spend here than at home, yeah, you could say I live here." Noticing I hadn't moved, still fidgeting at the door, he studied me for a moment. "I can keep the door open like Theo suggested, if that makes you more comfortable," he said, his tone softening.

I looked up at him and smiled, deciding it would've been fine either way. I realized I trusted Liam implicitly. Probably more than I trusted myself. Because today, he wasn't wearing his usual sweatshirt. Instead, he had on a navy button-up shirt and a pair of black jeans. And he looked scrumptious.

"No, it's okay."

After closing the door, he gestured for me to sit on the sofa while he pulled over his desk chair to sit across from me. "I still can't believe you're here," he said, his expression full of disbelief. It was funny for him to say that, considering that I had just come literally ten steps away from his office. What brings you here?"

"Well... I was wondering if..." I cleared my throat, looking down, unable to meet his gaze.Here we go. "If you'd like to have dinner tonight."

Liam was silent for a few seconds before letting out a soft gasp, his eyes widening in almost comical surprise. I worried that I hadn't been clear enough.

"With me," I added quickly. "Someplace casual, but with good food. And—"

"Yes!" he interjected, grinning widely and nearly leaping out of his seat. "Of course, Asha!"

"You're sure?" I asked again, wanting to be certain. "I know I came by so suddenly, and you must be busy, but—"

"No, no, not busy." He shook his head. "I'd drop everything for dinner with you."

"Ah, Liam," I sighed, my heart melting.

"Should we go now?" He stood up abruptly, looking so excited. "Let me grab my coat and talk to Keith. He needs to take over my next meeting. Just give me five minutes, okay?"

I grinned, appreciating his enthusiasm over something as simple as going out with me. "Okay."

Part 30: Liam

White rose. That was what I always associated her with—a white rose in a sea of brambles—a beauty that stood out dazzlingly, so intricate, so layered, it was nearly impossible to grasp all at once. Her radiance felt almost ethereal, as if she belonged to another world. She captivated me, and I wondered if I'd ever stop being mesmerized by her.

Walking beside her on the crowded sidewalk, the noise of honking cars and the rush of people faded into the background. The chaos of the city dimmed into a sigh, the world around us seemed to move too fast while we strolled leisurely in our own quiet bubble. I could have stayed in that space, in that bubble with her, for a lifetime.

Was I being overly dramatic? Probably. But in my mind, it was an honest fucking truth.

I didn't know what had prompted her sudden change of heart about going out with me, but I didn't care about her reasons. All that mattered was that she was walking beside me, and we were about to have dinner together. Our official first date. This might be a life-changing moment for me.

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