The next morning, I leave the house when Zach is still fast asleep just as he was already sleeping when I went to bed yesterday, so there was no opportunity to talk since our ugly fight so far.

Aria was already waiting for me when I opened Zach's apartment door, and excitedly pulled me into a suffocating embrace before we went downstairs to her beige mini cooper. The ride to the mall was filled with Aria's high-pitched, nervous talking about the things she plans to buy today. Since I haven't had a coffee yet, I'm already slightly stressed out when we arrive.

Before Aria drags me into some of the fanciest stores of the mall where the prices of the clothes are way higher than what I could afford, I force her to pick a coffee first. In the end, I advise Aria in the choice of her purchases and listen to her stories about work while she tries on dozens of dresses, blouses, skirts, and jeans. Actually, her stories are pretty interesting and intriguing and keep me from getting bored. She works as a gynecologist at the hospital where Zach spent the past two weeks and the things, she has to face everyday sound kind of exciting to be honest. I almost feel as if I am listening to scripts from Grey's Anatomy or something like that.

It's already 1pm when I insist on taking a break from shopping and have lunch, so we sit down opposite of each other in a small Italian restaurant. Aria is determined to find some sexy underwear after our lunch break and excitedly tells me about a ball she'll attend with a few work colleagues for which she has to shop some fancy clothes today. I glance at the five bags standing next to her feet and shake my head in amusement. This woman has a completely different idea of going shopping than me. Whenever I decide to buy new clothes, I end up with five or six new pieces, but Aria has already twice as many in all of her bags and we're not even finished yet.

Once we've ordered a pizza we plan to share, Aria eyes me for a moment before she tilts her head and frowns. "Liv, can I tell you something?"

I awkwardly motion her to speak on, sensing something personal or embarrassing coming from her.

"When I made that ultrasound the other day, I noticed something at your ovaries."

I automatically stiffen at her words and bite down on my bottom lip.

"I took a look at your medical report and read about that accident you had a few years ago." Aria takes my ice-cold hands in hers and gives me an apologetic look. "I'm so, so sorry if my talking about getting pregnant has upset you, darling!"

"You've seen my medical record?" I whisper feebly.

"Uh... yes, after the ultrasound," Aria says in a small voice. "Does he... I mean, does Zach know? He always said he wanted to have kids one day, so I think he deserves to know."

After taking a deep breath, I snatch away my hand and glare at the woman opposite me.

"Seriously, Aria? Your attempts of sabotaging my relationship are getting kind of pathetic, don't you think?" I hiss and narrow my eyes. "Why him? Why can't you just choose some other guy to chase after?"

With a loud screeching sound, I push back my chair and jump up.

"Liv, please sit down again. People are watching!" Aria pleads and looks around in embarrassment before she sighs and faces me again. "Listen, I'm sorry, but I'm not sabotaging your relationship and I'm certainly not chasing Zach. What makes you think that?"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I'm nearly shouting now. "You are so flirty whenever you're around him and you're kinda clingy as well. And don't think I don't see through you because I do. I see exactly how you are trying to be friends with me just to win him over. You're trying to turn him against me, I know that! You finally have to accept that Zach is my boyfriend, he loves me, do you understand?"

"What? But I'm not..." Aria starts, but I cut her off right away.

"Save your lies for someone else! I'm sick of it! You're going to stay out of Zach's and my business from now on!"

With that, I turn around and rush towards the exit of the huge and packed mall. On my way out, I jostle quite a few people, but in my stage of rage I don't even notice. Once I am outside, I stop and take a deep breath, soaking in the cool air to soothe my heated mind.

All this shit wouldn't have happened if Zach hadn't told Aria that her idea of going shopping with me was great. Honestly, I need some time alone right now. Time away from Aria and her weird acting, but also time away from Zach from whom I feel kind of betrayed right now.

While aimlessly strolling through the streets, I spot a tiny pub where the lights are on. Without a second thought, I walk right in and look around. It's nearly empty, only a few elderly guys are scattered at the bar, quietly sitting in front of their ales. The pub looks very Irish with its dark wooden furniture and the whiskey barrels which are used as tables.

"Hey, pretty lady, what brings you here?" The barkeeper approaches me with a friendly smile and motions me to take a seat on an empty stool at the bar. "Can I get you something?"

I eye the middle-aged guy for a second. He has black, short hair, a well-groomed beard, and his arms are covered in tattoos. Considering the crinkles around his brown eyes, I would put his age at mid-forty.

"Three vodka shots, please," I mumble and give him a faint smile.

The barkeeper simply nods, and after a moment, the three shots are standing in front of me.

"Thanks." I chug them in one go and motion him to refill my glasses.

"Tough day?" he asks with a raised eyebrow as I down the next three shots without hesitating.

"Uh-huh," I mumble and lean my elbows on the bar, resting my chin in my palms. "I would rather say a fucking terrible day."

"You want to talk about it?" the barkeeper asks, filling up my glasses a third time.

"Nah, I'd rather forget about the whole shit for a moment." I guzzle down the next shot and screw up my face. "Ugh, I hate vodka!"

A light chuckle leaves the bartender's throat, causing me to look up.

"What's so funny?" I ask with a frown.

"If you hate vodka, then why do you drink it?" He points behind him at all the different bottles hanging on the wall. "We also have other drinks which help drowning your feelings, you know?"

"Yea, thanks, but I think I've had enough for now." I giggle and trail my finger over the rim of one of my glasses. "Can I ask you something...uh..."

"My name is Theo," the barkeeper informs me with a friendly smile. "Sure, go ahead."

"Okay, Theo, what would you do if your girlfriend had an ex who desperately tried to win her back and really, really is a pain in the ass?" I finish my sentence and attentively wait for him to answer my question.

"Well, first of all I'd tell him to leave my girlfriend alone, and second, I'd make sure that my girlfriend isn't interested in her ex anymore, and then I'd give her a decent taste of what she would miss if I were gone." He winks at me and grabs a dishtowel to dry the washed glasses. "Show your man what an amazing woman you are. I mean, if he doesn't see that already, he's a douche anyways."

Giggling shyly, I think about Theo's words and of the way I handled the situation with Aria so far. Just as I'm about to say something back, an all too familiar voice echoes in my ear.

"Ollie?"

Oh hell, no!

Turning around, I find my father's eyes fixed on me.

"What the fuck? Are you stalking me?" I snarl.

"No...uh...of course not...I...uh...I always come here," my father stutters and rakes his fingers through his greasy hair.

"Hey, Carter, you'll have the usual?" I turn around again and give Theo a disbelieving look as he grabs a beer bottle and opens it.

"So, you're drinking again? Really, father?" I utter a derisively laugh. "I suppose I should have expected that from you."

I quickly chug the remainder of my vodka shots, place some money on the dark wooden counter, and hurry towards the exit.

"Ollie, wait! It's not what it looks like! For fuck's sake, just let me explain!"

With a mocking laughter, I turn around and glare at the pathetic figure which happens to be my genitor.

"What part of 'leave me the fuck alone' don't you understand?" I hiss and make a step towards him. "You are nothing more than a pathetic and despicable drunk to me and all I feel for you is disgust! I'll say it one last time, I want you to stay out of my life! You've done enough. I don't want you to be part of my life and I want you to stay away from me!"

"But all I want is one talk, Ollie, darling," my father begs with a desperate undertone. "Just give your old father one hour of your time!"

"You are not my father anymore!" I spit and turn around again.

"Wait, Ollie!"

Ignoring my father's cries, I wave at Theo before I leave the pub. Even though it's only 3pm by now, it seems to be dusky already and the cold march-temperatures creep into every fiber of my body. Slowly, the vodka starts wandering into my blood, making me feel slightly tipsy, but at the same time my fighting spirits are aroused after the talk with Theo and the encounter with my father.

Clenching my teeth, I run away from the pub until I gasp for air. The cool breeze is burning in my lung, and I stop to catch my breath again.

Theo's words about showing my man what I have to offer return into my mind and so, I decide to head to Zach's place to do exactly that.

I'm glad I'm just fifteen minutes away from his place, so I can walk and don't have to call an Uber or take the bus. Once I insert the spare key Zach gave me and step into the apartment, I find him softly snoring on the couch.

Feeling frustrated about him being asleep, I stamp into the kitchen, grab the bottle of whiskey, and take a generous swig from the bottle. The disgusting taste remains in my mouth while the burning liquor runs down my throat and sets my innards on fire.

"How can anybody actually like this shit?" I mumble and slide down to the floor along the counter.

Despite the horrible taste, I take some more slugs directly out of the bottle. When I emptied a quarter of the bottle, I put it aside and close my eyes, leaning back my head. All of a sudden, a loud cry makes me jump.

"Holy shit, Liv!" Zach is standing in the door frame with his hand pressed against his chest. "You scared the shit out of me! What the hell are you doing?"

"Nothing, I was just enjoying a bit of whiskey down here," I murmur and tap the floor beside me. "Come, sit with me!"

Skeptically eying the bottle next to me, Zach crouches down opposite me and places his hand on my chin, gently lifting my head.

"Liv, what's up with you?" A worried frown builds on his forehead. "I know something's bothering you. Besides, you never drink whiskey, you hate it!"

"I'm fine. I just missed you," I say and lean forward in an attempt to kiss him, but he pulls away.

"I missed you too, but I know something's wrong. Tell me what happened!"

Looking into his warm eyes, I get weak and avert my gaze, biting down on my bottom lip. The alcohol in my blood makes it hard for me to think clearly, but at the same time Zach's presence soothes me and evokes the urge in me to pour my heart out. Aria's words return into my head and a big lump forms in my throat.

"She knows," I croak out and blink rapidly to avoid crying.

"Aria? What does she know?" Zach looks at me in confusion.

"About my accident and the infertility. She read my medical record after making that damn ultrasound."

"Oh shit," Zach retorts and grazes his knuckles over my cheeks. "Baby, don't worry. She has to keep it to herself. You know, doctor-patient confidentiality."

"I know, but I hate that she knows." I breathe and am actually surprised I managed to keep myself from crying.

"I know, honey." Zach presses a soft kiss on my forehead before grabbing my hands and pulling me up. "Come on, lay down for a bit. I'll make you something to eat."

He leads me into the bedroom where he starts peeling me out of my tights and dress.

Standing in front of Zach in only my underwear, I suddenly remember Theo's words and my plan for today.

"Actually, I thought you could lay down with me?" I ask in a low voice and cock my eyebrow at him before I take off my bra and slide under the soft bedding, only wearing my light-blue lace panties.

"Uh... okay," Zach frowns and crawls into bed next to me, so that we're facing each other, both lying on our sides.

I reach for his neck and pull him closer, aggressively smashing my lips against his.

"Whoa, Liv," Zach gently pulls back and eyes me with confusion clear on his face. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem a little off."

His disarming, loving glance warms my heart, and I can't help but burst out with the truth.

"I wanted to make sure you still want me. After the day with Aria, I was so damn insecure and with all my stupid problems and my anxiety I kind of felt worthless. I went to a bar for a drink and to switch off for some time. After a few vodka shots, I asked Theo, the barkeeper, what he would do if his girlfriend had an annoying ex who tried to win her back and he told me to show my boyfriend what a great woman I am, and that you're a douche if you don't know that already," I blurt out and inhale sharply after finishing my little speech. I intentionally skipped the part that I met my father as I'm not willing to let him ruin the rest of my day.

"Theo, huh?" Zach looks at me with an amused expression and raises his eyebrows. "You think I'm a douche?"

"No, of course not," I sigh and shamefully look away. "Sorry, I was just freaking out. But I'd understand if you're getting tired of all my drama. I don't really know what's wrong with me at the moment. Never before have I been that insecure and jealous, but I just can't bear the thought of losing you."

All the amusement has left Zach's face and changed into a serious expression. "Is that what you think, Liv? That I'd leave you because of your problems?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I whisper, "I don't know. I would understand if you did."

Zach cups my face in his comforting hands. "Baby, I would never ever leave you because of some troubles. I'm so fucking happy to have you in my life. You are everything for me, don't you see that?"

I smile sheepishly and snuggle my face into his hands.

"I know you're going through a load of shit right now, but I promised to stick with you no matter what, and I keep my word. Just think of how we met. At that time, it was me who was in deep shit, and you didn't hesitate once to help me through it. I love you so much, I never thought I could ever feel that way in my life, but you changed everything for me. You made a deeply in love softie out of me."

Zach chuckles and places a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose.

"And Aria can do what she wants, I would never even consider to have it off with her again. She may be beautiful, but you are so much more than just beautiful. You are smart, funny, sensitive, warm, and what's more, I think you are my soulmate. It feels like you can read my mind and look straight into my soul."

"Soulmate?" I ask barely audible, my heart thumping wildly. Listening to his words sets my mind on ease a bit and touches me deep inside my soul.

Zach nods and tucks a lose strand of my hair behind my ear. "Yea."

The way he managed to wipe away all my fears of losing him and the jealousy, makes me speechless, so I simply pull him in for a slow and tender kiss. I'm still tipsy from all the alcohol, but this meaningful talk helped me sobering up a bit.

This time, Zach doesn't hesitate and kisses me back. Feeling his soft lips and his warm hands on my cheeks, lets me forget about all the shit which happened today and finally gives me back some security.

We stay like this for a whole while, making out slowly and sensually, showing the other the affection we carry with us for each other. After some time, Zach pulls away and looks at me through heavy-lidded, dreamy eyes.

"Move in with me!" he breathes. "I want to call this place ours!"

Right in this moment, I am surprised but also steeped in happiness hearing those words out of his mouth and can't hide the broad smile creeping onto my face.

"Okay," I answer quietly and nervously bite down on my lower lip.

Moving in together is a huge step and considering we know each other for only four months, it appears even crazier, but we're together all the time anyway, so why don't just take the plunge and give it a try?

"Really? No objections?" Zach's excited eyes are ever so adorable, and I can't help snickering.

"Yea, no objections. I feel the most comfortable when I'm with you, so why not? It's early, and I would lie if I said that I'm not scared of that big step, but I'm down for a try. I want us to work, Zach. More than anything else."

Zach pensively listens and when I'm finished, he beams right into my face.

"God, I love you so much, Liv!"

"And I love you!" I return his smile and happily melt into another kiss as Zach leans forward and connects our lips.

I soon lose all sense of time and rake my fingers through Zach's soft, wavy hair while the pads of his thumbs gently caress my cheeks. Due to Zach's bruised rips and his spleen rupture, we still have to restrain ourselves a bit, but that doesn't keep us from deepening the kiss. Zach's teeth softly brush my bottom lip, causing me to sigh into his mouth, willingly giving him the lead. The way our tongues find a slow rhythm, dancing and playing with each other, enjoying each other's taste, makes me feel dizzy and lets me blind out everything around us. Zach is my safe haven, my happy place, and my deepest desire all in one.

Carefully, I move my almost naked body closer and wrap my legs around him, pulling him close, so I can feel his excitement right at my center.

When Zach starts slowly grinding his body against mine, I softly moan and tilt my head as he peppers sweet kisses down my neck.

"Can you take off your shirt?" I ask quietly, sneaking my hands under it, stroking over the soft skin of his back.

"Help me?" Zach sits up and lifts his arms, smiling fondly at me as I pull his t-shirt over his head. The way his tousled hair falls into his forehead, makes the corners of my mouth going up.

I let the tip of my finger trail the tattoo on his chest, the heart line of his mother, before I lift my gaze to meet his hazel eyes. Zach places his hand above mine, intertwines our fingers, and presses them on his chest so I can feel his racing heart thumping against my palm.

"It's yours," he whispers and gives me a vulnerable look. "It always was."

Swallowing away the lump in my throat, I warmly smile into his eyes before I lay down on my side again, pulling him with me.

We continue making out and our hands start exploring our bodies, feeling each other's skin, pulling each other closer.

"I want you, Liv," Zach murmurs and softly nibbles at my ear. His five o'clock shadow tickles my soft skin and makes me giggle.

Smirking into the crook of his neck, I move my hands to pull down his sweatpants and boxer briefs. When I reach for his length and slowly start pumping, Zach's eyes flutter and a deep groan leaves his full lips. Watching his face while pleasuring him, adds immensely to my own arousal and I press my thighs together to relieve some of the pressure.

Zach notices my motion and breathlessly smiles at me before sliding his fingers into my panties and through my dampness, earning a soft moan from me.

While our hands keep pleasuring each other, we get lost in another passionate and sensual kiss. I'm a panting mess when Zach slides two of his long fingers into my smooth opening and starts thrusting slowly.

After a few minutes, we're both completely out of breath and Zach pulls away, gently biting down on my bottom lip.

"Come here, baby," he softly orders, pulls down my panties, and positions him at my entrance.

With our eyes locked with each other, he enters me and places his hands on my ass to keep me tight. His rock-hard dick slowly stretches me out, makes me feel every inch of him so intensely, and when he fully fills me up, we both moan and Zach starts moving.

"Oh god, Zach," I breathe and tangle my hands in his hair, pulling softly on it.

Zach warmly smiles at me with flared nostrils, and I notice some beads of sweat on his forehead. His thrusts come slow but reach so damn deep, it doesn't take me long to arch my back. With my legs wrapped around him, I pull him closer and move my hips to meet his thrusts.

"Oh baby, you feel so good!" Zach whispers shakily and gives me a strained smile. Our foreheads are pressed against each other as slowly but surely our orgasms build up.

Zach takes his time and drags our lovemaking out as long as possible. In between, he litters me with sweet kisses and keeps telling me he loves me. Whenever I'm close, he stops for a moment and gives his attention to massaging my breasts or kissing my neck, fondling the sweet spot right beneath my ear.

"Zach, please," I feebly plead as I can't take it anymore. "Please, make me come!"

Chuckling softly, Zach slightly increases the speed of his movements and I feel the tingling sensation caused by his thrusts flooding my entire body.

"Let go, baby," Zach breathes into my ear, causing the little hair in my neck to stand up. "I'm going to come any second. Come on, Liv!"

He makes a few harder thrusts and that's it. I combust and come undone with a faint cry escaping the depth of my throat. Sliding into an extremely strong orgasm, I cling to Zach's hair for dear life while Zach's thrusts still come.

"I love you!" Zach croaks out as soon as I feel him throbbing deep inside me. "Oh shit!"

His hips buck and the contractions and pulsating at our connected sexes push me over the edge a second time, making my body shake and let me see stars at the intensity of my climax. Zach buries his head in the crook of my neck and holds me tight while he keeps thrusting until the throbbing subsides.

"God, Olivia," he mumbles, placing a soft kiss on my slightly parted lips. "That was freaking intense."

"Uh-huh," I gasp out giggly and push his damp hair out of his forehead. "So, we're really doing this, huh?"

"Doing what?" Zach tilts his head.

"Moving in together."

The smile arising on his face at my words reminds me of a young boy and I can tell how happy he is about my agreement.

"Yea, we're really doing this," Zach nods. "I mean, only if you feel ready for it."

Rolling onto my back, I think for a second before I give him a wide grin. "Strangely, I've never felt readier in my whole life."

With a sleepy smile, Zach rests his head on my stomach, looking up at the ceiling. "I feel the same."

A huge yawn escapes him, closely followed by a pained groan. His hand presses against his rib cage and he screws up his face.

"I guess, having sex for half an hour strained my bruised rips," he chuckles and smiles up at me from his comfortable position on my stomach. "But it was worth the pain."

With a light giggle, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, gently playing with his hair for a while. The sex we just had definitely was amazing. I know two weeks without sleeping with each other might seem not that long at all, but I kind of missed feeling all of him so intensely.

"I met my father today," I mutter after a few minutes and open my eyes again.

When I get no response from Zach, I look down and smile seeing him fast asleep with his arm wrapped around me. Since he looks so peaceful, I decide to let him sleep and cautiously pull the blanket over his naked body.

Trapped under his head, I close my eyes for a nap and doze off in less than five minutes while thinking of all the things which have to be done now that I agreed to move in with Zach.

That's going to be a hell of an adventure.

*****

Sorry for the late update, but I had a lot of things going on the past week. In return it's a long chapter. Hope you enjoyed it!🦋

So, Liv had some outbursts in this chapter and finally told Aria and also her father a piece of her mind. Would you have done the same in her place?

And what do you think about Liv and Zach moving in together? Too early?🤭

Please leave me some comments and vote.🙏🏽

Katie🤍