"Ella…" Liam's voice lowered as he closed the distance between them, his steps unhurried yet calculated, careful not to cross her boundaries.
His hand brushed over her arm, gentle but firm, grounding her in place. "It's not really for me to say. Can you pretend you didn't hear that slip? It's not that I don't want to tell you—I just… it isn't my story to share. Is that alright?"
His thumb stroked lightly against her sleeve, a subtle comfort.
Ella's lips curved into a soft smile as she placed her hand over his. "You don't have to worry, I understand. I only asked because I was curious. Now that you've explained, you don't need to say anything more."
Liam narrowed his eyes with a teasing squint, a smirk tugging at his mouth. "So… you're curious about me?"
Her cheeks warmed as she let out a small laugh. "Well, of course. Who wouldn't be?"
