Page 26 of Accidental Proposal

Stirring the noodles and the buttery wine sauce, I asked Liam to bring me the shrimp before dumping them in. As usual, the shrimp cooked in just a minute and then our food was done. While I’d been stirring the pot, Liam had gotten us bowls, and he was waiting for me to plate the food. Once I was done, I put mine on the dining table before grabbing a drink.

We sat there awkwardly, eating quietly, not saying a word to one another. Dinner was good, and I was eating mine not so gracefully, unlike Liam. But hey, when you’ve been outside for hours swimming, it makes you hungry. The silence continued, and I shifted awkwardly in my seat. I normally didn’t mind silence, but Liam just sat there staring at me. Clearing my throat, I opened my mouth, whatever came to mind coming out.

“So you played all different kinds of sports in high school?” I asked, taking a sip of water. The moment I asked, I knew I probably shouldn’t have. Liam’s face darkened, and his cobalt eyes narrowed. He didn’t say anything for a full minute. He just glared at me. “I’m not allowed to ask that?” I asked, narrowing my own eyes at him.

I hated the way he looked at me, and that the moment I said one little thing, he flipped. Was I not allowed to eventryand get to know him? At least I was trying to make an effort, unlike him. I’d enough of his looks and glares. If he wanted me to pretend like he wasn’t there, then so be it.

“No, you are not.” His voice was low.

“What is that, taboo or something? Am I not supposed to know you have five championship rings for different sports?”

“It is none of your concern.” For some reason, that made me even angrier. There went any happy feelings I had from earlier.

“How is that none of my concern, Liam? I don’t know you! How are we supposed to make this work if you won’t even try? I do not want to be here, but at least I’m trying to do something, unlike you.” I stood up, pushing my chair backwards across the tile. “You know what? Have it your way. If you want to act like I don’t exist, then fine. I’ll do the same to you. I’m done trying.” With that, I left my empty plate on the table and walked off to my room.

Muttering under my breath at how much of an idiot Liam was, I didn’t notice or hear him walking after me. All I wanted to do was slap him until he got some common sense and started acting like a real person, not some cold, mean, distant guy. Sure, he was hot, super hot, but his personality was the thing that made him unattractive. Grumbling, I reached for my door, but instead of opening it, I was turned around and pushed against it. With a gasp, I looked up into Liam’s eyes. He towered over me, pressing my body against my bedroom door. A voice in the back of my head kept telling me to push him away, but my arms wouldn’t work, nor my mouth either, it seemed.

“Why do you think it is your ‘right’ to know everything about me, Jenna? Why are you so curious about me?” he asked lowly, staring down at me. One of his hands moved to my arm and ran up it, sending shivers all over my body. “You don’t seem to take no for an answer, and you seem to love to flap your mouth. Didn’t your parents teach you it’s wrong to intrude on other peoples’ lives?” he hissed. I tried not to let my heart fall at his words, but it did anyways. He knew I didn’t have parents, yet he still had to rub it in my face. Seeing my fallen face, his eyes widened. “Jenna—”

“Liam, don’t,” I whispered.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for that to come out. I…You.” He shook his head. I watched him as he seemed to have an internal debate. He groaned and lowered his head, resting his forehead on my shoulder, his warm breath blowing along my neck. I stiffened at the connection, surprised Liam was even touching me. “What are you doing to me?” I heard him whisper against my neck. If he wasn’t so close to my ear, I wouldn’t have heard him. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly before pulling away and walking toward his room, disappearing from view.

I stood there, leaning against my door in shock. Two times now, Liam had said sorry to me. I stared at the spot he’d just occupied, my mind racing. What did he mean, what have I done to him? I leaned there, different emotions running through my mind. I knew I should be angry at him for pressing me against a door and yelling at me, but I felt the opposite. My arm tingled from his touch, and my heart was still racing.No, Liam, what areyoudoing to me?

Chapter Twelve

The next morning, Monday, I forced myself to get up early so I could get a head start. It took me a while to get up because I’d spent most of the night tossing and turning. I couldn’t get Liam out of my head, and it was starting to drive me nuts. The look on his face when he pulled away from me and left still kept repeating in my mind. He looked confused and lost. With all different kinds of emotions swirling inside of me, I pushed them to the side as I got up.

As I walked into the kitchen, I decided I was going to spend the day redecorating. I had no idea what I wanted to do yet, but at the very least I could go around and try to get an idea. Getting a cup of coffee, I headed to the living room first. The place was very nice, but it didn’t screamhome.Nothing about the house did. It just seemed cold and lonely. All I wanted to do was either paint it a new color or add some furniture and pictures.

The clock read 7:45 as I walked around the living room, taking in everything. The room was a color I loved, a deep blue. The only thing I think the room needed was a few bright pictures and/or decorations scattered around. With a nod, I turned and headed back down the hall. I knew I wasn’t a designer, but I had some fashion sense.

After looking in my room, the kitchen, and the library, I realized none of them needed much done. Putting my coffee cup away, I remembered there was a room next to mine I hadn’t been in. When I opened the door, I was met with what looked like another bedroom. It was painted a pastel purple color, which was weird. I could tell nobody had been in this room for a long time, if ever. A cute desk sat off to the side, with a rolling chair. There wasn’t much in the room besides the desk, other than another small bedside table. A doorway led to a pretty big bathroom and a walk-in closet.

I instantly knew this was the room I wanted to makeover. Knowing that this room wasn’t used at all made me feel better, because I was a little hesitant on changing a room of Liam’s. Redoing this one wouldn’t piss him off as much as me redoing the living room. Grinning, I looked around, putting my hands on my hips. I nodded. I could make this room something cool like my own study, or a good guest room. With my mind made up, I left the room, already thinking of a color for the walls and what needed to be done. I walked into my own room and picked up my phone, dialing Garrett to see if he could take me out shopping.

“Hey, Jenna,” he immediately answered.

“Hey, Garrett. I have a favor I kind of need from you,” I said, sitting on the edge of my bed, holding my phone.

“Sure, what do you need?”

“Well, I need a ride and someone to take me shopping.”

“Didn’t you go shopping with Lennon a few days ago?” he asked, sounding confused.

“Oh no, I meant shopping to get paint and stuff. I am going to redecorate a room and need to get supplies and stuff. Could you possible drive me and come help?”

“Does Mr. Stanford know about this?”

“Uh…” I trailed off. “No.”

I heard him chuckle through the phone. “I’ll come help, but I won’t be there for at least twenty minutes or so.”

“That’s okay. I still need to shower and get dressed. Thank you, Garrett.” Saying bye for now, I hung up and headed to go shower. If I were like most girls, twenty minutes to get showered and dressed wouldn’t be long enough, but I could get ready in ten. I didn’t wear much makeup anyways, so that was one less step. Plus, I usually just brushed my hair and let it air dry.

Quickly washing my hair and body, I turned off the water and stepped out about five minutes later. I dried off and looked in the mirror. I noticed I appeared slightly different than I did before moving here. My cheeks had a healthy glow and a slight tan. My body looked fuller instead of the unhealthy weight I had been before. Being able to eat three heavy meals daily had done me some good, and I looked healthy but not overweight. My green eyes had more life in them, not like the dull color they’d been before. Everything about me looked different, but not at the same time.

---