Chapter 16 The Fake Date
Mia's POV
The last thing I expected after my shift was to see Liam. My heart raced the moment I saw his handsome face. He was leaning against the wall outside the restaurant, hands in his pockets, his head slightly lowered, like he had been waiting for me for a while.
For a moment, I thought I was imagining him. Maybe my mind made him up because I had not stopped thinking about him, even after seeing him earlier with my ex best friends.
But he was really there, wearing that same unreadable expression that always made my chest feel tight. I did not understand why.
I did not know why just looking at him made my chest ache. It felt like too many feelings hit me at once, and I was not ready for them.
I could not be angry with Liam, he had every right to be with my ex best friends. They laughed a little too loudly around him, trying to get his attention. But he did not laugh with them. He did not even smile. He sat at their table like he did not belong there at all. Like he was somewhere else in his mind.
And that was what hurt the most, that he looked miserable with them, and I still was not sure if it had anything to do with me.
I was the one who told him to stay away. I was the one who built the wall between us. I had no right to feel hurt or betrayed. I should have been happy and proud of myself for keeping my distance, for surviving the silence between us, and for staying strong even with so many things left unsaid.
Then I did the only thing I thought I could do. I did not let him talk. Not really. We exchanged only a few words, and that was all. Before he could say anything else or get past the walls I had built, I turned and left. I walked away while he stayed there, still waiting and hoping I would allow him to be in my life again.
He should stay with them, I told myself. With the people who belonged in his world, even if it hurt me. No matter how hard I tried to deny it, the truth would not leave me. Liam made me feel safe. He made me happy. And that was exactly why I could not let him get close.
Then, Saturday came.
“Do not worry, I will pay you, Mia,” Josh said as he gently combed my hair. He stuck his tongue out in concentration, like a kid trying hard to do something right. “My mom has been secretly sending me allowance. She thinks I am starving.”
I laughed softly and closed my eyes as he brushed my hair. “Josh, you do not have to pay me. I wanted to come. I also wanted to meet your parents.”
I did not say how nervous I felt. I was not ready to face people from their world, a world I had only ever watched from a distance.
Once upon a time, when my dad was still alive, our life was simple but dignified. Not rich, not poor. There was always food on the table and light in our home. Now, I live in a cramped shared apartment with two coworkers, the ceiling leaking when it rains.
Josh did not say anything for a moment. His hands paused as he stared at my reflection in the mirror. "Still... I feel like I am always asking too much from you."
I turned my head slightly. "Do I need to kiss you to shut you up?" Josh shrieked so loud, I nearly dropped the blush brush.
“Ew, Mia!” he groaned, being dramatic as usual. “That is the last thing I would ever do. Kissing a girl is a nightmare for me.”
I laughed, finally relaxing. “You are so dramatic.”
“I am gay, not blind,” he said, shaking his head. “If I liked girls, I would fall for you right away. You are amazing. Sadly for you, I like men with abs, strong jawlines, and emotional issues.”
“That makes sense,” I said with a small smile, even though I still felt nervous inside.
“So,” I quickly changed the subject, “where are we going again?” Josh’s eyes lit up.
“We are going on a yacht. Overnight. My dad’s old business partner, who is very rich, invited the family for a small get together on the water. You and I are coming along to keep everyone entertained.”
I blinked. "A yacht?"
"I bought you a swimsuit," Josh added casually, waving his hand like that solved everything.
My stomach dropped. "I have never been on a yacht before."
“You will be fine,” Josh said, patting my shoulder. “Even if the waves are rough and you feel nervous, it will still be fun. And if anything goes wrong, you can always pretend to be seasick and hide downstairs.”
I gave him a blank look. “That does not make me feel better.”
“I was not trying to make you feel better,” he said with a grin. “I was just getting you ready.”
He picked up my lip gloss and gently lifted my chin. “Now stay still. We are having dinner with the family tonight, so you need to look nice. You will have your own cabin too, so you do not have to share a room with me.”
"I would not mind," I said softly, almost without thinking.
Josh paused for a moment, then smiled softly. His voice was kinder when he spoke. “I know you would not mind. But you deserve your own space, Mia.” His words stayed with me.
Outside, the sky was already getting dark. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I almost did not recognize who I saw. Maybe just for tonight, I could pretend I belonged.
The sun was setting over the marina, painting everything in soft gold and pink as the luxury yacht rocked gently on the water.
I stepped onto the deck carefully, my heart beating fast even though I was only supposed to be pretending. The dress Josh chose fit me perfectly, the pale blue silk shining in the light. My hair, usually tied up or messy, fell in soft waves around my face, thanks to Josh’s steady hands and a lot of hairspray.
Josh whistled. “Okay, I do not want to make you uncomfortable, but you look amazing.”
“Josh.” I mumbled.
“I am serious,” he said with a grin. “You look amazing tonight. If I were not so into handsome men, I might even ask you to marry me.”
I laughed, still feeling nervous, as we walked toward the front of the yacht.
Dinner was already set up. White tablecloths, soft candlelight, and sparkling glasses filled the space. It was a world I did not belong to, yet somehow, I was standing in it. My heels clicked softly against the polished deck.
Josh linked his arm with mine and leaned closer. “Game face. Just smile and try not to throw up.”
“I make no promises,” I whispered, but I stood up straighter.
I had agreed to this. The plan was simple. I would be Josh’s date for the night, his pretend girlfriend to keep his parents happy. It was supposed to be harmless. That was before I saw Liam Alcaraz.
He was tall, six feet two inches, and broad shouldered, wearing a clean white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, tucked into dark pants. His hair looked messy in a good way, like the wind had styled it for him. His back was to me at first, calm and distant, until he turned.
When his eyes met mine, everything about him changed. He froze for a moment, then stepped closer, as if he could not believe what he was seeing. I tried not to shrink under his gaze, but it was hard. His eyes were clear and intense, and it felt like they saw straight through every wall I had built.