Chapter 5 – Sparks of Attraction
Ella was folding laundry in the small living room when Liam walked in, holding a stack of clothes.
"Need help?" he asked, his voice casual, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
Ella shot him a suspicious glance. "You don't offer help without a reason."
He shrugged, leaning against the wall, his messy hair falling over his eyes. "Maybe I just like watching you try to do everything perfectly."
Ella rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the faint blush creeping across her cheeks. "You're impossible."
Liam stepped closer, holding out a sweater. "Here, let me."
Their hands brushed as she took it. Ella's heart skipped. She quickly pulled away, trying to act normal. "Thanks," she mumbled.
He smirked knowingly. "You're welcome."
Later, they ended up in the kitchen, cooking together for dinner. It was chaotic: flour on the counter, pasta water boiling over, and the cat weaving between their feet. But every time their hands touched, every time their eyes met over the kitchen counter, there was a spark—a tiny, thrilling electricity neither could ignore.
At one point, Liam leaned just a little too close to grab a jar from the shelf. Their faces were inches apart. Ella felt her pulse race. She looked down, trying to focus on the counter.
"You're quiet," Liam murmured softly.
Ella's cheeks burned. "I'm… thinking," she stammered.
He chuckled, brushing a stray hair from her face. "About me?"
Ella froze. She wanted to deny it, to act cool. But something inside her whispered the truth. "Maybe," she admitted.
Liam's smile softened, almost shy now. "Good. Because I've been thinking about you too."
For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The sizzling pasta, the messy kitchen, the rain outside—all of it faded. It was just the two of them, hearts racing, standing closer than ever.
And in that tiny apartment, Ella realized something terrifying and wonderful at the same time: she was falling for him.