Ethan Walked In On Liam And Harper

**POV: Harper**

“Liam is back in town?” I asked Kate, my breath caught in my throat as a rush of surprise and excitement flooded my senses.

“Wait, are we talking about the same Liam, my best friend? He’s back?” I reiterated, still not believing her. Kate can be silly sometimes; she could just be messing with me to get a reaction. If that is her intention, then she is definitely doing a good job because I can’t contain my excitement at the mention of Liam. Memories swarmed over me—the late-night study sessions, inside jokes, him being the shoulder I cried on when Ethan wasn’t there for me.

“Yeah, he’s back in town!

And guess what?

He asked about you; he really wants to see you again. I think that’s why he’s back. I’ve already texted him. We should totally meet up!” Kate exclaimed, her excitement infectious. I smiled from ear to ear, recalling how the three of us used to hang out all the time and tease each other.

“When did he get back?

Where the hell has he been all this while? Why didn’t he call me?

Did he lose my contact? Is he okay? Have you seen him since his return?

Wait!

How long have you known his location? Have you been in contact with him the whole time? Have you two been messing around all this while?” I asked her, my heart racing, a mix of excitement and curiosity igniting within me. Kate grinned, knowing full well how much I had missed Liam.

“Enough with the million and one questions, Harper!

He is back now, and he sure misses you as much as you missed him. To answer your questions, I haven’t been in contact with him all this while; I just happened to bump into him today, and I was as excited as you are right now when I saw him. I was told that he moved away for a job right after you got married, but he came back last week, and trust me, he can’t stop talking about how much he missed our little trio.” She explained, smiling excitedly with me. I could feel my heart fluttering at the thought of seeing him again.

“I can’t believe he asked about me,” I whispered, chewing on my bottom lip as I processed the sudden shift in my circumstances. I can't believe I was feeling depressed and sad some moments ago. And now I’m smiling like a fool, feeling giddy like a college student again.

“Let’s get him to meet us for coffee,” Kate suggested excitedly, knowing that this might be just the distraction I needed during this difficult time in my life. She knows me so well, and she will do everything to keep me from thinking about my husband and falling ill.

“It’ll be fun, Harper, and I think he can help take your mind off Ethan for a while. This is exactly what we need right now, our fun trip,” she teased, winking at the end. I smiled in response, recalling how we used to love hanging out together and having so much fun. I couldn’t pass up on this chance to forget about everything and enjoy time with friends that I love and trust—friends who will never lie to me or use me or make me look foolish. I couldn’t pass up on this chance to reconnect with my friends and escape from Ethan and his lover, even if it’s just for a day.

“Sure, girl…

Let’s go have some fun and remind me of how much fun we used to have,” I responded, chuckling excitedly as I rummaged through her wardrobe for an outfit to wear out. Until I decide what I’m going to do about Ethan and me, I have no choice but to borrow a few of her clothes. I ended up wearing a pair of fashionable baggy jeans with a crop top, adding a denim jacket in case the temperatures start to dip. This is the ultimate outfit for relaxed hangouts.

Kate put on a cropped white top and paired it with comfy baggy white jeans for that laid-back charm, finishing it off with white shades and a purse. We donned fashionable sneakers that made movement more comfortable and fun. I tied my hair in a ponytail, while Kate let hers cascade down her shoulders. We applied a little makeup, and soon enough, we were on our way to the meeting point to see Liam.

Moments later, we pushed through the door of a cozy coffee shop, the rich aroma of roasted beans filling our nostrils as we walked in. As we scanned the room, my breath hitched as I tried to contain my excitement. In the corner sat a figure I recognized instantly. It was Liam, looking more handsome than I remembered, a casual smile lighting up his features.

“Liam!” Kate waved enthusiastically, and in an instant, he looked up, the corner of his mouth quirking into a grin as our eyes caught. When he approached, bouquet of vibrant sunflowers in hand, my heart skipped a beat as I felt cherished.

“Harper! I can’t believe it’s you,” he said, his voice warm and familiar, as though no time had passed at all. It felt like just yesterday we were walking around hand in hand, visiting libraries and attending lectures together.

“Oh wow, sunflowers!

You remembered, Liam!

I can’t believe you still remember these little details about me!” I exclaimed, touched by his thoughtful gesture.

“How could I forget? They’re your favorite,” he replied, sincerity in his voice making my cheeks warm. I couldn’t help but smile as he pulled me in for a hug, enveloping me in a tight embrace. Soon enough, Kate threw her arms around us, hugging us both together, completing our trio. We fell into easy conversation, reminiscing about our fun-filled, carefree college days.

We ordered our favorite coffee blend—Cappuccino and Butter Croissants. We all knew that croissants, with their flaky, buttery layers, are a little slice of heaven on their own, but paired with coffee?!

They are over-the-top delicious!

We moaned in satisfaction as we took the first bite, just like we always did in college. The realization that the three of us still retained this habit of moaning in satisfaction for our favorite snacks and drinks made us laugh in unison, enjoying each other's company and our coffee. I had no idea that I missed Liam and Kate this much. Yes, I always see Kate and we chat about everything, but having the two of them together in one place is something else entirely.

It’s purely magical!

He casually mentioned how he couldn’t believe that I wasn’t working, given my talent and desire to excel. I chose my family over my career and ambitions. After I got married, I decided to stay home and take care of my husband and our home. But Liam didn’t seem to buy that idea.

“You always hated the job of a housewife. You have talents and ambitions that are both admirable and commendable. I thought you would pursue your dreams and ambitions; I never took you for someone who would settle for less, Harper. You know, I could always use someone as brilliant as you on my team, that is if you make up your mind to pursue your dreams like you’ve always wanted. Think about it, Harper; we would make such a great team,” Liam said with a friendly wink, sipping from his cup.

The thought of working closely with Liam, hanging out often, and forming a closer bond with both him and Kate sounded thrilling. I nodded eagerly, excitement bubbling up within me. Coming out here today might turn out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. I feel so relieved and excited.

“There is nothing to think about, Liam. I will do it. I really need something new to focus on, and I think it’s time to invest in myself and actualize my dreams,” I admitted. I truly needed something to divert my attention from all this chaos, so there was no need to waste time contemplating it. I would do it.

As the afternoon wore on, Kate finished her snacks and coffee faster. Then she casually suggested that Liam drive me back home because she had some important meeting to attend at work. She left us at the table and rushed out. We spent a few more minutes talking about ourselves and how much we missed our college days. The ride back was filled with laughter and familiar banter, each joke exchanged chipping away at my lingering sadness, making me feel more and more relieved.

We pulled up to Kate’s house, and the atmosphere felt charged with acute nostalgia as we stepped inside. The warmth of our friendship wrapped around us like a comforting blanket. It felt just like those days in college; we always enjoyed each other’s company and were always excited to be together. As we sat down, we kept reminding ourselves of past events that made us laugh and have so much fun, like the time he fell asleep while we were studying for our final exams and I had to pour cold water on his head to wake him up.

“It was so funny, Liam. I laughed so hard when you jumped up at the feeling of cold water on your head,” I laughed, holding my stomach.

“You silly girl!

I didn’t forget that feeling, and I’m certainly going to pay you back someday!” he retorts, feigning anger as we both laugh at the memories. Lost in stories of our youth, Liam reaches out to gently brush a leaf from my hair, his hand lingering a moment too long. My breath catches in my throat as our eyes meet and hold for a brief second, his hand still lingering on my head.

That position makes us look very intimate. I feel my heart beating rapidly, and I pull away immediately, wanting to stop the awkward moment. Suddenly, I feel a chill race down my spine as I catch sight of a familiar figure in the doorway. This time, it’s not Liam, but Ethan, standing there with a look of disbelief etched on his face as he glares daggers at me.