bChapter /bbi55 /i/b

EMILIA

When I finally wake up, we’re already in Chicago.

I blink, trying to shake off the fog of sleep, only to realize-

I’m way too close to Liam.

Like, basically pressed against him.

My cheek is on his shoulder, my hand resting somewhere near his chest, and–oh God–his arm is draped across my

Heat floods my face as I sit up way too fast.

Liam stirs beside me, lifting his head. His voice is rough with sleep. “You’re up?”

“You let me sleep this long?” I whisper, my eyes darting around. The ne is still moving, taxiing down the runway, but people are already stretching, gathering their bags.

“You lookedfortable.” He shrugs, running a hand through his hair. His very messy, just–woke–up hair.

I swallow. “You should’ve woken me.”

He smirks,zily, like he knows something I don’t. “Yeah? You seemed pretty happy where you were.”

I open my mouth, then close it again. I was not.

Was I?

No. Definitely not.

I clear my throat, looking away. “Well… thanks, I guessb./b”

Liam just chuckles, stretching his arms above his head. His shirt lifts slightly, and I snap my gaze toward the window.

Nope. Not looking.

The captain’s voice crackles over the speaker, announcing our arrival. I stand to grab my bag and pretend my heart isn’t doing something weird.

It doesn’t matter that my skin feels

little too warm.

It doesn’t matter that I can still feel the weight of his arm bacross /bmyp.

It definitely doesn’t matter that for the first time since agreeing to this whole fake–date bdisaster/bb… /b

I kind of forget it’s fake.

bChapter /bb55 /b

The thought barely even settles before I snort. Forget it’s fake? Yeah, right.

We get off the ne and the first thing I think is: The airport is total chaos. Not as bad as it was in New York, bbut /bbad enough to make me dizzy with a headache.

People are rushing with their suitcases rolling, voices echo overhead, I grip the handle of my bag tighter, my steps quickening to keep up with Liam.

He walks like he owns the ce–long strides, hands shoved in his pockets, like he doesn’t even notice the stares. And there are stares. A few people nce our way, their eyes narrowing like they’re trying to figure out if he’s someone famous.

Which, well. He is.

i“/iKeep your cap low,” Liam mutters, barely looking at me as we weave through the crowd. “And try not to look suspicious.”

I scoff. “How am I supposed to not look suspicious when you say it like thatb?/bb” /b

He shoots me a grin, eyes dancing with amusement. “Just don’t start speed–walking like you’re running from the police.”

“I wasn’t-”

“You were.”

I huff but slow my pace, trying to act natural. It’s harder than it sounds.

We push through customs, pick up our checked luggage, and finally step outside into the cool Chicago air. The sky is clearb, /bthe sun bouncing off ss skyscrapers. A car is already waiting for us at the curb–a sleek ck SUV with tinted

windows.

2

Liam opens the door and gestures for me to get in first. I roll my eyes but slide inside, settling into the leather seat as he follows, shutting the door behind him.

As the car pulls away from the curb, I let out a breath.

“We survived the airport,” I say, mostly to fill the silence.

Liam smirks. “You sound surprised.”

“A little.”

My fear of flying has always been irrational, it was mostly a fear of taking off but most days bI /bcan’t be too sure.

All those days of traveling with Zane and his teammates left me nauseous half time.

Sometimes, it feels like a healed wound that won’t stop throbbing.

Still, that doesn’t excuse my behaviour. I pretend my cheeks are not ming hot as I recall what it felt like to be in his

armsb. /b

He chuckles, shaking his head. Then he pulls out his phone, typing something before ncing up bat /bbme/b. “We should

be at the port in about half an hour.”

Right. The port. That’s what it’s called.

Because we’re not staying in Chicago–we’re heading straight to the cruise. The wedding cruise.

Zane and Ba’s wedding cruise.

My stomach twists.

Not from jealousy or whatever emotion that would have tackled me months ago–I’ve long since moved on from Zane -but extreme difort.

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