Page 51 of A Simple Reminder

She lets out a sarcastic laugh. “You know what? Fine, let’s see this imaginary table you apparently have.”

Reluctantly, she stands, and we head out. I settle the bill quickly and walk her to a taxi, the night ending as tensely as it started—probably even more tense.

“When I’m right, I want you to apologize in front of Jared,” she says, setting the terms of our unresolved debate. “And Lilly,” she adds.

“Sure, Sunshine”

“No, notSunshine.”

TWENTY-TWO

SOPHIE

“Well,thistime you were actually right, congratulations,” I snap, the words heavy with resentment and a whirlwind of other emotions I can't quite name.

There it is, the most beautiful table I’ve ever seen—a masterpiece that’s graced the pages ofArchitectural Digestand many other well-known design magazines. My breath catches but I shove it down, refusing to let awe soften the resentment simmering under my skin.

How could I have known he was telling the truth?It's not that he usually lies, you just took on that narrative to make yourself feel better.If I could smack myself without looking insane, I’d do it right this second, anything to silence these thoughts.

“This time?” Liam’s voice cuts through the air, cold and sharp. “I’m tired of you calling me a liar,” he says, his anger barely contained. His eyes darken, intensity burning within them as he fixes me with a look that almost makes me step back. But you know what? I’m also angry.

“Don't get us started, Liam.”

“Started? Sunshine, we're way paststarted.”We stand face-to-face, locked in a battle. I take a step forward, the heat between us almost tangible. He’s intentionally using the nickname on me, even after I told him not to, and I don’t find it funny, not in the slightest.

“I told you not to call me Sunshine anymore,” I remind him, my hands balling into fists.

He smirks, his eyes briefly flickering down to my clenched fists before meeting my gaze again. “Sunshine, Sunshine, Sunshine,” his smirk widens, a deliberate challenge, daring me to snap. He knows exactly which buttons to push.

“Liam, I'm warning you,” I growl. My voice drops low, a warning. But he doesn’t flinch–instead, he steps closer.

He leans in, bringing us nose to nose, his breath warm against my skin. “What are you going to do about it,Sunshine?” His challenge ignites a fire within me, the heat between us almost suffocating. His nearness is overwhelming, the familiar scent of him clouding my thoughts, it makes it almost impossible to cling to my anger. But the question gnawing at me burns hotter than the space between us, refusing to be ignored. I need to know.

“Why did you even show up?”

He doesn’t answer right away, his eyes flicker between mine like he’s searching for the right words–or a way out. “I told you,” he says, finally, his voice a rumble. ”I was hungry. Meeting you was a happy coincidence.”

My tone sharpens, cutting though his carefully controlled façade. “No. Try again, Liam. Why did you show up?”

His gaze falters, just for a moment, but it’s enough, I can almost see it—whatever he’s holding back, hovering just behind his lips.

“Tell me!” I demand, my voice unyielding.

His eyes close briefly, and he takes a deep breath before opening them again, fire blazing within their dark depths.

He straightens, breaking the closeness between us, and I inhale sharply, my lungs greedy for air that feels too thin. But it doesn’t last. He turns away, his hand rubbing the back of his neck, tension radiating off him in waves, thick and suffocating, on the verge of breaking. He takes a few steps before whirling back around, frustration carved into every line of his face.

“You really want to know? Huh?” His voice rises, cracking the wall he’s put up. The intensity of it sends my pulse hammering against my ribs. “I was fucking jealous. Are you happy now?” His bitter laugh cuts through the air, sharp and mocking. I freeze. My mouth opens but no words come out. Not a single syllable forms on my tongue.

My mind races as his words sink in, raw and unfiltered, tearing through the layers of anger and confusion I’ve built.

“I know I shouldn’t be. I don’t have the right anymore,” he continues, his tone softer but still laced with frustration. “But I couldn’t help it. The thought of you with Jared—God, it drove me insane.”

He pauses, his chest heaving as if trying to wrestle his emotions back under control, but his voice drops lower, rougher, more vulnerable. “Just the thought of him having your time, your laughs…” His jaw tightens, his nostrils flaring. “Your body. That he’d be touching you, fucking you—right under my nose.” He takes a few steps closer again, the fire in his eyes searing me.

“Stop,” I whisper, shaking my head, but the quiver in my voice betrays me, crumbling under the weight of his words.

“Why? Because it’s the truth?” His eyes pierce mine, challenging me silently to respond, to say something more. My chest tightens, and my heart pounds harder than it has in years.

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