The tropical night air hits his face when he leaves the restaurant. Liam runs his hands through his hair in frustration. He paces back and forth deciding if he should storm back inside and tell her that the stupid promise to never go close to her again was the mistake. Not her. Never her.

His hands shake and he takes a cigarette from the packet and lights it up. He inhales the nicotine through his lungs and exhales the smoke through his nose to allow his emotions to steady.

"You should give up that shit," Josie's voice awakens him back to reality. "Everything good at the bar?" she asks.

"Yeah, of course," he responds and pulls another drag from the smoking stick. "And, I'm working on quitting this..." He smiles at his friend while exhaling the smoke that was momentarily trapped in his lungs. "You look gorgeous, Jos."

Josie smiles while she twirls ever so slightly in her white dress. "Yeah, I know" She glances to the inside of the room and sees Aimee walking back to their table, her smile wiped from her face.

"Grand party," Liam says while putting out his cigarette. "But I'm going to take off now. I have a ton of things to do tomorrow first thing."

"What a load, mate," Josie stares at him. "You two need to talk. Stop whatever nonsense my cousin put you to it. Talk to her. She needs to know everything you did for her. She needs to know that the Liam she met is not the same guy standing here today."

Liam looks down at his own feet and places his hands inside his pockets. "I can't do that."

"Because of the promise you did to Callum? Or Eva? Or the promise you did to me? Which one is it? Because apparently, you have been making an entire load of promises to everyone here." Josie raises her voice.

Liam looks at Josie, surprised. "How do you know about...? Did Callum tell you?"

Josie shakes her head. "They don't know that I know. God, I sound like a broken record." She paces. "And I'm part of the problem. I made you do something for her and keep it a secret, only to find out others made you do the same, and keep it also a secret. And, you know what I'm realising at this moment?"

Liam shakes his head.

"That none of us ever bothered to ask her what she wants."

"You are only looking out for her." Liam mumbles.

"Through lies, Liam. That's what got you in trouble the first time, and now look at us. We've made you do the same thing." Josie sighs with tears in her eyes. "We're playing with her feelings and deciding for her.... it will break her when she finds out everything. I don't want Aimee to be back to the starting point."

"Then, don't tell her. I don't want her to think it was a handout, or because you told me to do it because it isn't." Liam says with pleading eyes. "She deserved a chance, and you encouraged me to give her that chance. Have you ever seen her? The way she plays... it's the most magnificent thing in the world..."

Liam runs his hands through his hair. "You should have seen her in her first-ever solo concert. I could see her hands shake from miles away. For a second, I thought she wasn't ready, that she would cower and not play. It took her at least a good five minutes to play."

He looks at Aimee inside the hall, dancing with Michael.

"But when she started playing. And, I mean really playing. She never played like that before. Not here in the restaurant, or the bar, nor with Izzie. Those were all child play to the way she performed that night and every other opening night since then. There's an inner fire in her like nothing I've ever seen before."

Liam peels his gaze away from Aimee and rests his eyes on Josie, who has her mouth wide open at his unconscious disclosure.

"What do you mean, how she performed that night and every other opening night since then?" Josie probes.

Liam gulps. "Nothing. I mean..."

"Don't..." Josie stops him. "I deserve the truth."

Liam's shoulders slump. "I asked Michael to get a ticket for every opening night she has ever had."

"Is that where you go? To her opening nights?" Josie's eyes widen.

"I haven't missed one since her first night." Liam looks to the floor, embarrassed.

"Does she know?" Josie asks.

Liam shakes his head and his eyes go wide. "No, and you can't tell her a thing. I almost screwed up once, and she brought it up. She saw me, but she's convinced that she only imagined me there. I promised I would stay away and I will."

"Wait, she actually told you she saw you but you just reinforced the lie?" she exasperates.

"Josie..." Liam attempts a justification.

"Don't Josie me..." Josie darts daggers at him.

"I'm not good enough for her. Back then, I was not good enough. I'm still not good enough now." Liam mumbles once again.

Josie looks at her cousin and back at Liam. "Why did you attend all of those concerts?"

"Does it matter?" Liam shrugs.

"Fuck, yeah, it matters." Josie speaks in a harsh tone. "Because when I saw you two dancing together just now. Not even a blind man cannot see how much you two love one another."

She points to the restaurant.

"And then I think about all the fucked up stuff we told you to do. And now find that you've been going to every opening night... she's been all over the world, Liam. Are you telling me you jet off to a remote corner in the world to see her play and return?"

Liam stares at her in silent acknowledgement.

"Fuck! And she's oblivious to this, and everyone is okay with how fucked up this is?" Josie paces furiously.

"Hey, is everything ok here?" Jack appears from inside. "I could hear your voices. Is it something with the business?"

Josie shakes her head and lowers her head. "We're fine. Just having a slight disagreement." Liam offers an apologetic smile. "But it's all sorted now, right, Josie?"

Josie looks up at Liam angrily. "No, it's not. I'm done lying to my cousin."

"Who's lying to whom?" Jack asks, concerned with his daughter's mannerism.

"We all are," she looks at Liam. "Don't do this again. Not to her. Fuck us. Fuck Eva. Fuck Callum. Fuck me. Tell her the truth."

Liam lowers his eyes to the ground. "I'm sorry Josie. I can't."

Josie runs to him and holds his arm. "You're good enough, Lee. You are. I've told you once to stay away from her, and I've regretted that. Please don't allow others to make your decisions. Not anymore. Enough is enough."

Jack pulls his daughter into an embrace. "Shush. It's your day, bean." He looks at Liam that has tears in his eyes. "I'm sure that whatever this is, we can resolve it tomorrow morning. But, tonight, it's your night."

"I'm sorry Jos," Liam whispers before disappearing towards the car park.

Josie embraces her father tightly. "I've messed up so badly with Aimee, daddy." Josie sobs uncontrollably.

"We'll fix it. I'll help you fix it and all will be alright." Jack cradles his daughter.

Jack comforts his daughter while staring at his niece inside the hall that is with Isabella at the table in a cheerful exchange.

Aimee's thoughts are playing in a loop with his last words to her. 'I can't afford to make the same mistakes again.'

A mistake.

Isabelle sits at her side and is happily chirping away while staring at her phone. His words drown her speech. She was just a mistake.

"Do you think I should?" Izzie asks Aimee.

Aimee shakes her head and focuses her attention back on Izzie, who stares for her response anxiously with her phone in her hand.

"Do you think I should ask Brian to the dance or wait for him to ask me?" she anxiously repeats the question.

Aimee smiles warmly and puts her hand over Izzie's arm. "It's the 21st century. I say don't wait for any man to make the move. You can also do it."

Izzie smiles excitedly and starts typing furiously on her phone.

Aimee's eyes turn back to the space at the centre of the restaurant where she shared her first dance to the man that has stolen her attention from the first moment she saw him.

In the back of the restaurant, beyond the dance floor, Josie is exchanging words with Jack and Tessa. Aimee's attention redirects to her family and best friend.

"He said yes!" Izzie squeals in excitement.

Aimee smiles weakly at her and recalls her first dance with the boy she liked. He had blue eyes, just like Liam.

'I can't afford to make the same mistakes again.'

Those damn words ring in her ears once again. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath to steady her thoughts.

"Izzie, we're leaving soon. Say goodbye to our guests." Eva's words awaken Aimee, and her posture changes.

Isabella gets up cheerfully and makes her way to where Josie and the others stand.

"May I?" Eva asks Aimee while pointing to the chair next to her.

Aimee nods politely, and Eva pulls the chair and sits down.

"Wonderful party. We had a great time."

"Even when you fought with my dad?" Aimee enquires.

Eva recoils at her words. "You caught that?"

Aimee smirks. "I catch more than you all think. Like right now, something is happening with Josie that clearly involves me because now my dad is there, my brother and your husband, and she is clearly being held back from doing or saying something."

Eva sighs and looks beyond the dancefloor.

"I just thought all the secrets would be over by now. After you came forth..." Aimee mumbles.

"I honestly don't know what is happening there. I guess we both will know soon enough. If you actually want to know. You never seem to care much about what is happening around here." Eva remarks pointedly.

Aimee scoffs. "Are you serious right now? You lied to my face for months. Pretended to be my friend, got me to tutor Isabella, just a farce..."

"That's not true." Eva's face is stone cold. "Don't you dare say that to me! I never pretended with you."

"Eva, you knew the whole time. Who we were." Aimee states coldly. "You lied."

Eva contorts her hands. The conversation she wanted to have for such a long time it's finally here, but it's the most unexpected and inconvenient of places. She looks up at her daughter assertively.

"I didn't know your brother was looking for me. And, honestly, when Jack told me, I didn't know how I felt about it. Part of me wanted to tell you, but the other part of me wanted to keep that chapter of my life closed."

Aimee scoffs. Eva takes a deep breath. She knew that the conversation with Aimee would hurt more than with Callum.

"It took me a long time to reconcile my thoughts and feelings. But, getting to know you, getting you to tutor the piano to Izzie, that was never any kind of ruse. I would never do that. We're all not Liam."

Aimee freezes at his mention.

"And even him has been working hard at redeeming himself."

"He has?" Aimee asks timidly.

Eva nods in response. She looks again at the same spot and sees Paulo's face red and gesturing angrily towards Charlie.

"Clearly something is happening."

"To do with me." Aimee completes her thought.

"You and Liam, I bet, yes."

Isabella returns to the table.

"Dad is calling for you. Josie and Paulo are very agitated."

Aimee glances at Eva that has tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong, mom?" Izzie asks.

"Nothing sweetie." Eva redirects her attention to Aimee. "I just wanted to have had the chance to explain myself as I did to your brother. But you've made it impossible to say anything to you." Eva gets up. "I just hope one day you find it in your heart to allow me to have a conversation with you and give you my perspective."

Eva's words hurt Aimee's pride.

"You should also come," Eva says, avoiding further eye contact with Aimee. "As you guessed, it's most likely something to do with you."

"Are you okay?" Izzie asks.

Aimee stares at her sister and purses her lips. "Not really, no." She glances at the group of people talking to Josie, which now also includes her own manager.

"Are you going there? Mom is right, I think is something to do with you."

Aimee hums in response and stares at them. Michael gives her a worried look while listening to the exchange.

"Or do you want to speak to uncle Liam instead?"

Aimee peels her eyes from the group and stares at Izzie in surprise.

"I can show you where he lives..." she offers.

Aimee's heart leaps. "Yes," she responds.

Izzie smiles and takes her jacket from the chair. Aimee gets up and drinks the rest of the wine in her glass to muster some courage. Izzie makes her way to the exit, but Aimee stops her.

"Wait, you need to tell your parents..."

"I'll text them you're dropping me to the house, which you are," Izzie responds assertively.

"And, I guess we are leaving the part about showing me where your uncle lives?" Aimee retorts.

"Need to know basis." She links her arms with Aimee. "Now, let's go before they see us." She giggles and they run.

Once inside the car, Izzie types a message to Charlie while Aimee turns on the car engine. Someone knocks at the window, which causes both of them to startle. Paulo stands outside.

Aimee rolls her window down. "Hey, pai."

Paulo eyes both of them curiously. "And where are you two going?"

"Just taking Izzie home," Aimee mutters.

"Is that so?"

They both hum in response.

"And her parents know about that?"

"Of course," Izzie responds.

Paulo chuckles knowingly. He turns his attention to Aimee. "Everyone wants to speak to you inside."

"About?" Aimee looks at her dad expectantly.

"About you and the man this young lady is about to take you to."

Aimee opens her eyes in surprise.

"And, after everything I've heard today, and especially what I just heard inside... I need you to step out of the car..."

Aimee shakes her head. "Pai..."

Paulo raises his hand and stops her. "So I can drive Izzie here home once we get to Liam's."

Izzie squeals in excitement.

"You're not here to take me back inside?"

"You need to talk to him. And, the madness that is happening in there..." He shakes his head and glances at Michael, who stands guard at the door. "It ends tonight one way or the other, but it will only end when you talk to him."

Aimee stands still at his words.

"Ladies, we don't have the whole day. Scoot to the side." Paulo says to Izzie. "Before the mad troupe sees what is holding me back..."

He stares at Michael that shakes his leg, worriedly, while stealing glances inside.

Izzie scoots to the side, and Aimee allows her dad to enter the car. Paulo gets inside the vehicle and puts the shift into drive.

"Where to?"

The car ride takes less than ten minutes. The moment they pull over, Aimee sees the yellow borders that grace the house on the right-hand side. She knows immediately which one is Liam's house.

"His house is..."

"That one" Aimee points. "The house he grew up in." She says in almost a whisper.

Paulo takes her hand. "Good luck."

"He might not be home..." she responds.

"He is..." Izzie says. "I texted him and asked... he thinks I'm coming over to stay the night."

Aimee smiles at her little half-sister.

"I can be crafty, too." Izzie announces proudly.

Aimee stares at the house and sighs. "Here I go..."

Isabella opens the door and gets out of the car, giving way for Aimee to leave.

Aimee moves her body to scoot out of the car, but Paulo stops her.

"Talk... really talk. Allow him to talk too. A lot is happening in the background that you need to know. Ask about Eva and Callum, Josie, me and Michael..."

"You and Michael?" Aimee frowns.

"Just ask the questions and don't leave until you both had your say." Paulo gives her a reassuring nod.

Aimee leaves the car. She gives Izzie a soft hug and slowly makes her way to the house with the yellow borders. Her heart thumps with each step. She notices the house is under refurbishment and there are construction materials piled in a corner. She takes uncertain steps towards the stairs that lead to the wide landing, where a patio chair softly rocks back and forth with the eastern breeze that blows from behind.

Aimee stands in front of the door and closes her eyes. Images of them dancing flood her mind and make her heart swell. From the moment she has met him, Liam has lodged in her heart, and no matter what she will ever do, he has permanently imprinted in her soul.

She opens her eyes and knocks on the wooden panel twice. She stands awkwardly and looks at the time on her watch. It reads two-thirty in the morning. She looks behind her and sees that Paulo has already driven off.

She glances at the door, and she takes a deep breath and knocks on it once again, this time more forcefully. Aimee waits for a sound inside and realises that there's no one at home.

She opens her purse and takes her phone and types a message to Izzie. 'Are you sure he was home?'

The reply was almost instant. 'He told me so.'

Aimee sighs. This is not going well. She shuffles on her feet and after minutes of silence only interrupted by the crickets, Aimee hails an Uber. She opens her phone and makes the request. The screen announces that the next Uber available is 15 minutes away.

Aimee sighs and sits down on the patio chair and rocks softly while looking at the starlit sky, allowing her mind to wander to old memories of her and Liam.

A rapid movement of paws shakes her back to reality. A brown and white springer spaniel runs to her and sniffs her legs before jumping to placing the front paws on her dress.

"Hey there." Aimee ruffles the dog's medium mane. "Where did you come from?"

"Aimee?" his voice makes her eyes meet his.

The canine removes itself from Aimee and runs towards Liam, making a small circle around his owner.

"What are you doing here?"

Aimee gets up and smoothens her dress. "I..." her voice and her courage falter. "This was Izzie's idea, and my dad..." She shakes her head. "It was stupid, really. I just... I have an Uber coming soon..." She rambles with her eyes glued to the ground.

Aimee lifts her eyes and sees Liam removing the hoodie from his head, gazing at her.

"I'm sorry for coming unannounced. This was really stupid." Aimee takes two steps forward, her earlier bravery fading with every breath.

Liam catches her arm and places his right hand on her face. Without hesitation, he lowers his lips to hers. Aimee's skin reacts to his touch, at first gently, then more pressing and passionate. She opens her mouth and raises her hands to hold him by his broad shoulders.

Liam's left hand falls on her lower back and pushes her closer to his body while pushing his tongue to caress her own. Liam peels his lips from her in a deep exhale. He caresses her face and touches his forehead to hers.

"You've never been a mistake." He finally says what has been eating him inside.

Aimee's breath catches at his words. "I'm here because we need to talk."

Liam nods and kisses her again.

"I need to know everything. From you, no one else," she pleads.

"Yes..." he responds. He takes the keys from his pocket and unlocks the door. The spaniel runs inside once the door is slightly ajar. "Sorry, Max here is always in a rush."

Aimee smiles.

"Come in..." he says in a whisper.

Aimee looks at her phone and sees her Uber is five minutes away. She looks up at Liam that is holding the door for her.

"Let me just cancel the car."

He nods and observes her cancelling the service and locking the phone before putting it back inside her purse. Aimee puts a strand of her hair behind her ear and walks inside while stealing a glance at Liam that grants her passage.

Aimee walks inside the house and notices the boxes that pile around the room. Liam closes the door behind them.

"Sorry, I've moved in 8 months ago, but I barely spend enough time in the house to make it a home."

"This is your childhood home," Aimee says while stealing glances of whispered memories on the wall.

"Can't believe you remember it."

"Of course I remember." Aimee retorts rapidly.

Liam looks lost in her eyes. He clears his throat and spins around himself.

"Do you want something to drink? I have juice, milk, water... sorry I have nothing stronger..."

"Water is fine." Aimee looks around and takes a seat on the aquamarine vintage cane sofa. "This is so cool," she says and grazes the wood.

"Needs some TLC. On my to-do list."

Liam leaves the room and enters another room.

A white light comes on and Aimee hears him pouring liquid. Liam walks back out and walks to her and hands her the water. Aimee grabs the glass with both her hands and looks down. Liam sits down in front of her on a shabby brown puff chair. She looks at the puff amusedly.

"Also on my to-do list." He smirks.

"You really need to do some work on the house." She glances around and takes a sip of the water.

"Yeah, I just need to find the time. Most of the time I come home so tired that I just want to hit the bed." He responds and looks at her anxiously.

"At least you're trying to make this your own place. You should see my place in London. Everything is an Ikea purchase."

They both chuckle light-heartedly before falling into an uncomfortable silence.

"I'm not sure how to start this..." he says.

Aimee takes another sip of water. "Me neither..." she replies. "I just see everyone walking around me on eggshells... there are whispers, and conversations where I know I'm the epicentre, but yet I'm excluded of them... and then there's you..." She looks into his eyes. "You've done everything possible to stay away from me. I need to know why. So, I guess we will start there. Why are you avoiding me?"

Liam lowers his head. "For multiple reasons. Because I made promises to the people that care the most about you, I would stay away."

Aimee raises her eyebrows.

"Because I promised myself that I would never break your heart..."

Aimee's heart rate rises.

"And, because the moment I saw you at the store, I knew that if I allowed myself to get close to you, that I would not be able to stop myself..."

"That's a lot of reasons..." Aimee takes a deep breath, reconciling his words. "Who made you promise to stay away? Was it my dad?"

"Your dad? No, he..." he stops himself. "I shouldn't be breaking what he confided in me..."

"He was the one that brought me here. He told me to ask you everything..."

"Everything?"

"He said that I should ask you about Eva and Callum, about Josie, and him and Michael. That's many people that I need to ask about, don't you think?"

"Yeah, it is... Josie tried to do the same earlier this evening. Make me tell you everything."

"Josie?" Aimee recalls how her cousin was fighting her corner in the hall. She gulps. "Tell me everything."

"Where should I start?"

"From the beginning... and I mean, from the moment I left you at the airport that day."

Liam's breath catches.

"Because I want to tell you everything, too."