Page 74 of Becoming Cinderella

“Please, two minutes. That’s all I ask.”

I’m scared to hear what he has to say. He hurt me, and I hurt him. Hopefully him being here will be like pouring disinfectant on an opened wound. I need this to help move on, but it’s going to hurt.

When Liam realizes I’m going to give him his two minutes, after all he did give me time to talk at the hotel, he places his hands on his knees as he bends forward to take a few deep breaths.

“You really should have tried out for cross country.”

“I know you didn’t chase me out here to compliment my cardio, Liam.” I’m well aware the last time I had to run like this was helping him escape.

“Your shoes,” he simply says, holding up my silver heels I left behind.

“Okay, now I really know you didn’t follow me out here to deliver my shoes.” I lean my back up against the fence as I take them from his outstretched hand.

“I’ve returned the lost shoes to the maiden, what does that get me?” He gives me a flirty smile and I know he’s trying to lighten the mood. And I hate that it’s working so easily!

“An Oscar, maybe. Why are you here Liam?” For weeks I’ve wanted nothing but to see him. To talk to him. But him showing up here and acting like he didn’t shut me out is making me maybe not fully mad, but annoyed.

“Well,” he tucks his hands into the front pockets of his pants. “You see, I’ve been in a rom-com or two.”

“Hmm,” I tilt my head at him. “I thought you looked familiar.”

“And I met this girl who I was supposed to help out with that knowledge, but I messed things up.”

“I’m sure you’re not all to blame.” Because I’m definitely all to blame for the start of our downfall.

“And I just kept thinking, how I missed her. How I left her when she honestly didn’t do anything wrong but post some things about me. Nice things too, like I guess how I’ve got really nice lips.”

I press my lips together to try to keep a smile from forming.

“It wasn’t fair the way I treated her. I knew her better than what the tabloids were saying, but I didn’t listen. I was a jerk. Do you think she can ever forgive me?”

“How should I know? I don’t know who you’re talking-” my words die as he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to him effortlessly. "Sorry, am I being a prat? More Pratt than Pine?" I manage to joke as I ignore the way my body is scorching with heat where it's being pressed up against him.

“You're such a weirdo,” he chuckles as he leans forward slowly, pressing his forehead to mine. “I’m sorry, Carter. I’m so sorry. I will spend as long as necessary apologizing to you. To show you how sorry I am that I left the way I did. That I never let you properly explain. That I never came to you right away after you made the Banoffee pie.”

“Olivia told you?” I push back to look up at him in surprise. She had promised she wouldn’t say anything.

“She didn’t have to. You’re the only person I’ve ever told about it.”

I am? I don’t even know how to respond to this information.

“Then Penn,” Liam adds. “She came and talked to me this week before the movie wrapped. She’s very persistent.”

This makes me laugh as I glance towards the school where I know she is. I can’t believe she went to talk to Liam and I had no idea. Was she ever going to tell me if he hadn’t showed up tonight?

I shake my head. “I have so much to apologize for too. I don’t even know where to start.”

“You have. I just wasn’t listening. Please, let me get this out, it’s been bothering me for days.” He swallows. “I should have known better. I know the way tabloids work, but I’ve been lied to and used so many times I just shut down. I couldn’t bear the thought that you would lie to me too.”

“I was worried what you would think about me if you knew I was actually a fan. I feared that you wouldn’t help me with Jared anymore.”

“I’m glad you think I’m good at my job. And you know, have a crush on me.” Liam smirks down at me. “So, do you have a fan account of me?” Thankfully his tone is teasing.

“No!” I answer too quickly. “But I did follow some.”

“Did?” He raises a single eyebrow at this.

“It got too hard to see you in my feed.” His eyes fill with sympathy so I poke his side teasingly. “Besides, Liam Taylor was so last month. You see, there’s this new guy in Hollywood I’m crazy about and-”

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