Tessa's pov

"Feeling better now?" I say, sliding a cozy blanket over his shoulders and giving my best friend a warm smile.

"A lot. Thanks to you" He gives me an appreciative look, sipping from the cup of hot chocolate.

"So do you want to talk about it or?" I'm not sure if he wants to talk but there is no harm in asking.

"Maybe later.." He stutters ".. over dinner"

"You mean with your mother and Ken?" I'm surprised he wants to share this with his Ken and Karen.

"No. Can we go have dinner somewhere else? I need to freshen up and clean my head."

I nod at him and reassure him that everything will be fine. But when he looks away, I know that something is up with him and Danielle. I offer him a weak smile not wanting to force it. He will speak when he feels ready.

Meanwhile I grab my phone and dial Kimberley's number to inform her that I'm not coming and I will make it up next time.

"Sorry again Kim..okay then goodbye. Call you later" I hang up after we say our goodbyes.

"I'm sorry you had to cancel your flight." Liam mutters as he makes his way to the kitchen. "It's just that I don't have friends other than you and I'm not feeling okay."

"Lets hurry up then. I'm hungry" I grin at mt best friend and he gives me a crooked smile, knowing he can be saved from the stream of bad luck that is hitting the both of us. I let him finish his cup of heaven and am about to go have a shower, to erase the existing tension, and be prepared for the upcoming one, when he reaches out for me.

"Tessa.. I have a dress.. uh.. in my suitcase. Do you mind putting it on,"

"Sure." I say before he can add another word. He already is nervous, for some reason and I don't want to make it seem awkward for him. I know it will all come to place later, when he explains everything to me.

The fabric of the dress is soft cotton. It's really fluffy and warm. The dress falls just above my knees and its creamy white color along with the glitter spread all over it makes it really attractive.

Liam looked heartbroken and I didn't want to turn him down. Looking at my curvy figure in the mirror, it fits me perfectly. Sexy. That's what Harry would have said.

I cant believe he hasn't spoken to me in ten days. Is he in Seattle waiting for me to show up? Seattle. Kim and Christian will move to Seattle and I'm so excited for them. Actually now the Vance company in Washington will be dull without them and I probably won't enjoy my work as much. Maybe I should ask Mr Vance if I can be hired in Seattle too. He said that he will hire another secretary and boss anyway in here. I hope they are friendly as the previous ones.

"Tessa are you ready yet?" Liam's mouth hangs open when I open the door. He stares at me for what feels like hours. I can see the sparkle in his eyes growing and he tries his best to close his mouth.

"What?" I chuckle

"Waaaw...Exactly how I imagined it. You look... stunning" His cheeks are turning red now and I can't help but feel the same. I know Liam always complements me but this time feels somewhat different. I feel much more exposed.

I mumble a simple "Thank you" before passing by him to wear my toms. The dress is already classy and I don't want to dress it up.

Liam wears some fancy dress pants and a botton shirt and he looks kind of different. I would say hot. It seems we're going to a concert or some event. He offers to open the passenger door for me and I appreciate his gentlemanly manners.

_________

"So, what happened in New York?" I hesitantly ask him as we take our seats in a fancy restaurant that is near the shore.

"She's having an affair with another guy" He says without hesitating.

"Whaaat?" I snap loud enough that many faces turn to our table. I cover my mouth with my hand then scoot my chair closer to his "Are you sure? Why would she do that?" I can't hide the disappointment in my voice.

"Positive. I found her making out with the jackass in the threshold to her apartment. Can you believe it? Can you believe that she texted me the other day saying that she can't wait for me to come?" He moves his long fingers to his temple where a popping vein is crystal clear. "That text wasn't meant for me Tessa, I'm nothing to her, after everything we've been through." He breaks eye contact with me and gulps half of the water bottle, as if trying to cleanse himself of her remnants.

I don't notice my eyes are almost out of their sockets only when a sigh leaves his mouth. Why would she do that? Why would she risk her stable relationship for some random dude? I can't help but make comparisons, the way she has a perfect boyfriend but lets him slip out of her hands quickly and my case- the way I am left alone without having a say in mine. The memory stirs some unwanted feelings in the pit of my heart.

"And guess what else," Liam brings me back to the present. "She thinks that I have feelings for you..."

He looks directly into my eyes that I feel a sudden urge to look away. I know he is waiting for me to calm him but I'm as angry and disappointed as he is and his revelation fueled my thoughts.

Before I can open my mouth to talk dinner is served.

We eat in silence and I feel some tension in the air. I feel so guilty. His girlfriend thinks that he likes me and probably thinks I'm a whore for staying at his house. I don't blame her. I would accuse Harry too if he was to live with another girl undrr the same roof. But still, Liam is my bestfriend. How can she have such thoughts?

"I'm sorry. I should have moved out a long time ago. I should have considered that..."

"Don't you ever say that again" I'm cut off by his words. "I never meant that. You're welcome in our house as long as you want and as long as you need.She doesn't have the right to control me. I'm done with her anyway."

"You are?" I slap myself mentally for asking such a stupid question while the answer in cristal clear. Of course he is. "Let's get out" I suggest to cover my idiot question. "Let's go watch a movie."

His face lightens at my words and I feel an instant joy when I see his smile reaching his eyes.

As we prepare to leave, he runs behind me pulling my chair back and when I stand up, he plans a kiss on my cheek.

"Thank you Tessa, for being here, for being my bestfriend." he tells me as we leave the restaurant to the theatre to top our night with a comedy movie.