Reagan's POV:

I had just finished putting up my hair when Scar knocked on my door.
“Hey…Reagan? Someone’s at the door for you,” she said, popping her head in my room.
“Who is it?” I asked, turning around from my mirror. I had a slight suspicion of who it might have been.
She hesitated for a moment before saying, “Liam.”
I tried not to groan. That boy would not leave me alone! I wish he would just take a hint and leave!
Scarlett sighed.
“C’mon Reagan. Be nice to him,” she hissed. I imagined he was standing in the living room and could probably hear everything we were saying.
“I’m coming,” I said cheerfully, grabbing my purse and phone. If Piper wanted me to go along with the plan, I was willing. I owed it to her anyways, all the times I had made it hard for her. I guess she deserved something in return.
Liam was standing in the living room. He gave me a nervous smile when he saw me.
“Hi, Reagan,” he said. He waved awkwardly.
“Hi,” I said. I waved stoically.
We stood there for a moment, just staring at each other.
“Um…do you want to go out for coffee with me?” asked Liam suddenly. He blushed red after he spit it out.
I was taken aback. For a second, I had thought he was asking me out, and I already had my answer – NO! – and it took me a second before I could fully register what he had said.
“Um…sure,” I said breathily. Even if I wasn’t into a guy, I had to make sure I was hot, right?
Liam seemed stunned for a minute. I guess he didn’t expect me to say yes. Maybe he was taking a hint.
“Where do you want to go?” I asked. “Starbucks?”
Liam shrugged.
“I don’t know New York too well. I thought I’d let you decide,” he said.
I thought that was sweet of him, being honest about not knowing. It was also courteous of him to let me choose. I liked that. Most guys would just pick a random restaurant they think a girl would like, and I just hated that. It was like, “Why not just ask her?”
“Hm…” I said. “Well, there’s this café we always go to. We went there yesterday in fact. They make amazing lattes. Do you want to go?” I looked at him eagerly.
He perked up.
“Yeah, sure. Let’s go now,” he said.
We walked into the hallway and waited for the elevator.
“Were you tired yesterday?” he asked while we waited.
“A little. We did some hardcore shopping yesterday,” I laughed.
He laughed along too. It was getting easier to deal with him, and I was feeling comfortable around him. Almost like…no, I wasn’t going to let that happen. I was going to keep my feelings to myself.
“Wow. You like shopping?” he asked as the elevator arrived.
“Yeah. I love it,” I admitted as we stepped inside. Liam pressed the lobby button and the doors closed.
“Yeah, the boys really like shopping too. Me? Not so much. It’s alright I guess,” said Liam, crinkling his nose.
I laughed.
“You’re a typical guy,” I said. “Guys generally hate shopping. They’re the weird ones.”
Liam smiled gratefully as the elevator arrived in the lobby. We got out and started walking.
It was early August, but it felt a little like early Fall – sort of crisp and fresh at the same time – and I shivered as I realized I should have worn a sweater like everyone else over my ribbed tank top.
“Cold?” asked Liam.
I nodded.
“A bit. Gosh, it feels like autumn!” I exclaimed.
“Do you want to run back and grab a sweater or something?” asked Liam, stopping. I looked up and he looked genuinely concerned.
“Nah, I’m fine. I’m just a bit chilled,” I said. “Plus, the café’s not too far. It’s like, a block.”
We stopped a crosswalk just as the little green man turned into a flashing red hand/
“Darn, I always hate that. I’m always too timid to run across,” I admitted. “New York traffic sucks.”
Liam laughed.
“I know. I’m the same way,” he admitted. “It’s almost worse when it changes while you’re in the middle of the street. Then you’re like, ‘Should I run and look ridiculous or keep the pace I’m at?’”
“Exactly!” I said as the sign stopped flashing and became a solid red hand.
As traffic zoomed by, we were silent for a moment. I began to realize that I did like Liam. He was really nice, and not at all as boring as I’d thought he’d be. Maybe I’d misjudged him.
When the light turned green, we crossed and arrived at the café. Since it was lunch, it was crowded, and we had to wait in line before ordering. Liam decided to get what I always got, and we sat down at the A-Lister’s usual table, sitting in the little corner next to each other.
When our coffee arrived, Liam turned serious.
“Hey, before I say this, I just want you to know that it’s only out of concern, okay?” he said.
I nodded, focusing more on the brilliant latte than him.
“Okay.”
He took a deep breath before saying, “The boys told me last night that you’re having some problems? Do you want to talk to me about them?”
I stopped and looked at him. His eyes were wide and concerned, and he was biting his lip. His eyebrows were turned up, and he had tilted his head a little to the left.
“What did they tell you?” I asked diplomatically.
“I didn’t let them tell me anything. I wanted to hear it from you,” he replied.
I thought that was both curious and sweet. If it were me, than I would have definitely tried to find out what it was from another source before confronting the person.
I sighed.
“That’s sweet of you,” I admitted, looking into my coffee cup. “But I don’t have any problems.”
“Reagan,” Liam said, taking my hand. I froze. I didn’t want him touching me.
“Reagan, you don’t have to tell me what’s wrong. I just wanted you to know that you can always talk to me,” he continued. “Whether or not you’re having problems.”
“Liam,” I said shakily. “I don’t want to talk to you.” I felt the tears beginning to form. I had so much going on under the surface, it was getting hard for me to hold it in all the time.
“Do you want to go back?” asked Liam.
I nodded, keeping my head down. Liam threw away our coffees and helped me out of the booth before we walked back in silence.
As we were waiting for the elevator, Liam turned to me.
“I just wanted you to know that I really do care about you, Reagan,” he said. “I know you don’t feel the same, but I really like you.” He turned away. “I just thought I’d let you know.”
I was stunned. No guy had every said that to me. I felt like Liam had just given me a gift. I felt like I needed to give something in return.
Reaching over, I grabbed his face and kissed him full on the lips. The elevator arrived and Liam pushed me in, making sure to press the “close door” button as we locked lips.