"Liam." I emerged from behind Grant.
Liam stood with his hands in his pockets. "Hi."
"Hey." I spoke softly.
Grant squinted. "How'd you know we were here?"
"Trisha had a feeling. She told me about the rock incident." He smiled sadly. "She was worried she might've killed you."
Grant laughed. "Ha. She wishes."
"We should talk. I owe you an explanation." I stepped in front of Grant.
Liam looked around. "Yeah, but not here."
Grant's voice came from behind me. "Why don't you two head outside? I'll meet you out there after I finish talking to ol' doc here."
I faced him. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm okay Rinnnie. I'll see you out there."
I squeezed Grant. "Okay."
As soon as we were out of the building I spoke. "I am so sorry Liam. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. You were nothing but amazing to me."
Liam watched me and listened. Then, he started walking down the sidewalk. "I'm not mad that you kissed Grant. It was obvious there was something between you two, I already knew." He took a deep breath. "I'm mad that I found out from someone else that something happened. I think I deserved to at least hear it from you."
Liam was so calm as he spoke. It somehow made things even more difficult for me. He kept his eyes forward.
"I know how this is going to sound, but it's true. I tried to tell you, immediately after it happened. That's why I texted and asked to meet up. Trisha showed up as I was about to leave and came up with her own story. I kissed Grant once, then stopped things from progressing." I felt so frustrated.
How I felt was like being stuck in quicksand. I walked on uncharted territory, and now I was sinking. My kiss with Grant was the alluring, unexplored place I couldn't stop myself from entering. Trisha was the quicksand, pulling me down. I hated the idea of Liam thinking I didn't care or respect him enough to tell him about Grant and I.
Liam turned to me. "Why were you in a towel?"
My heart sank. "I took a shower. I just wanted to collect myself before I spoke to you. Grant and I only kissed."
He searched my face. "Okay."
"Okay?" I asked, confused.
"I believe you, we're good." He smiled at me.
I stopped walking. "You do?"
Liam chuckled. "Compared to someone who hits people with rocks? Of course, I do."
I hugged him. "Thank you."
He hugged me back. "I wish you the best of luck with Grant."
"I hope we can still be friends?"
"What a cliché." Liam chuckled. "I'd like that."
................................................................................................................................................................
2 DAYS LATER
"You good?" Grant asked, turning the radio down.
I smiled. "Yeah. Somehow everything worked out. Are you okay?"
Grant leaned back in his seat and dropped a hand off the steering wheel. "If you're okay, I'm okay."
"How's your head?" I asked, examining it. It'd only been two days since he'd gotten stitches. It still looked sore.
"Better. I've never looked so intimidating."
I laughed. "You always look intimidating. It's in the eyes."
He smirked. "You're actually intimidated by me?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't get a big head, most people are."
"Awe Rinnie, do I scare you?" He asked as he smoothly went around a curve.
I hit him playfully. "Stop."
"Okay, but only because I'm hungry." He parked effortlessly into the parking spot in front of Dillion's Diner. He got out and opened my door.
"Thank you." I smiled up at him.
"Anything for you." He winked at me.
He took my hand, and we went into the Diner.
"Table for two." Grant spoke to the waiter.
The waiter made small talk as he took us to our booth.
We thanked the waiter as he handed us our menus.
"Wow, I just realized. This is our first date." I smiled at Grant.
Grant looked at me as if I had two heads. "You think this is our first date?"
I raised my eyebrows. "You don't?" I spoke slowly.
He shook his head. "First of all, I didn't properly ask you on a date. Second of all, we're at Dillion's Diner, I hope I could do better than that."
I laughed. "We love this Diner."
"Exactly, it's way too everyday."
I pushed the menu aside. "So where would you take me?"
He shook his head. "That's a secret."
"Which you suck at keeping so spill." I leaned across the table.
He chuckled. "Flattery will get you nowhere."
"You know I'd be happy going anywhere with you, right?" I asked him.
"You don't deserve anywhere Rinnie, you deserve astonishing." The sincerity in his voice made my heart melt.
I sighed. "I already have something astonishing."
"Where?" He asked pretending to search for it.
I rolled my eyes, smiling. "You're infuriating."
He looked directly at me. "You're breathtaking."
"Thank you." I said, feeling light and happy.
He gave me a smoldering look. "Does that mean, you don't think I'm infuriating anymore?"
"No, I still do, but in a good way."
He got up and sat beside me on my side of the booth. "I'll take it."
"You have no choice." I laughed.
Grant sighed. "Incoming."
I squinted. "What do you mean?"
"Trisha just walked in." He groaned.
I took a deep breath. "Maybe she won't see us?"
He shook his head. "Doubtful. Just another reason this isn't our first date place."
"I'm starting to see your point." As I spoke, Trisha and I made eye contact. "She's coming over here."
Grant threw himself dramatically back on the seat. "No!"
As Trisha approached, I felt a different energy than I usually did coming from her. I stared at her, curious.
Grant sat up. "What?"
She sat on the other side of the booth.
Grant shook his head. "We are not paying for you."
"First of all, I just want to apologize to both of you. I've been really terrible to you guys. I'm sorry." She began.
"I'm suspicious." Grant looked at her, unconvinced.
"I mean it. I am really, truly sorry." I was shocked to find she looked genuine.
The logical side of me had questions. "What made you decide to apologize?"
She smiled meekly. "I've had an eye-opening experience."
"What kind of eye-opening experience?" Grant put his head on his hands skeptically.
"I need to ask you a question." She spoke directly to me, ignoring Grant's comment.
My curiosity peaked. "Me?"
She moved her head in agreement. "You."
Grant and I looked at each other, confused.
"Okay, you've got my attention. What's your question?"