Chapter 1

Tate

"Another date with Jennie. It must be getting serious." I say as I look adoringly at my best friend, Liam. He is one of the most handsome guys in our school. We're seniors and ever since I can remember he has had the girls chasing after him. 

He's tall, six feet and slim with the sexiest tattoos running up his arms. He runs his hands through his jet black hair and smiles. God that smile, It makes me go weak, so weak. "Nah no big thing. She's cute though but it's not serious." 

"Yeah right." I say trying despserately to be lighthearted about it. I know that he hasn't seen anybody twice before. Ever. This is a first. I wouldn't say that Liam is a serial dater but he is a ladies man and he has the looks with his piercing blue Travolta eyes, plump luscious lips that't give Angelina Jolie a run for her money. 

"Hey come on, Tate. I'm not ready to get serious with anyone, especially not Jeannie. We've not even gone to first base. We're just hanging." 

"I thought that's what you did with me." I sound sullen, I know I shouldn't but the green eye monster has appeared. He scoffs and ruffles my head. 

I've known Liam since I was five years old. My dad employes his dad. Oh sorry, I totally forgot to introduce myself. I'm Tate. Tate Billingham. I'm eighteen years old and studying business and finance, my father wants me to go into his business with him. He's in shipping and has more money than he knows what to do with. He's what you'd call filthy rich but he's a good guy and doesn't act like most powerful billionaires I know. Nope, daddy dearest is exactly that. Liam's dad has worked for my father for the last thirteen years. He's daddy's CFO (chief finanical officer) and he keeps my daddy right in check making sure he doesn't just run from one business to the next buying them all up just because he can. 

Liam's dad, Patrick is originally from Ireland. They came to America when he was five years old and now lives on the same mansion row that we do here in good old Atherton, CA. It is pretty exclusive and all the properties are huge. We have mountain views and beautiful lake land. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else in the world. Well other than Paris being a fashion designer. I've always had a keen interest in fashion, maybe one day I can start my own label. My mother says I'm brilliant with designs and have a real eye.

My mother is the best. She is on every committee and still has time to run her own beauty business. Beauty with Kindness. Mom, known as Ellie to her friends is a firm believer in providing beauty at affordable pricing, no testing on animals and one-hundred percent sustainability. She is her own empire and met my father when she was a kid too. A bit like Liam and I.

When Liam first came to our town he spoke with what I consider a very funny accent. I then learnt that he was Irish and it made him exciting and mysterious. I believed in leprechauns and four leaf clovers and thought Liam would have all sorts of magical powers. It didn't matter when he told me that he was just a normal boy with no magic at all. Only I do find him quite magical, I am always lost when I look at him, I want to trace his tattoos with my fingers and feel his tongue exploring my mouth. It makes me blush.

"What you blushing for?" He asks. Shit. There is nothing getting passed Liam. He knows me so well. We've even shared a bed together, for years we've slept together ever since we were kids. Well until last year when Liam said it wouldn't be proper anymore to share a bed. I guess he's right. I don't think I'd be able to help myself. If he ever found out what a huge crush I have on him, well I'm not sure what would happen. 

Would our friendship survive, or would he drop me like a tonne of bricks? I don't want to find out which is why I've never stepped over the friendship barrier. I keep my mouth usually shut firmly when he tells me about another date he is going on, or some girl he fancies. Sometimes I've been known to go to my room and bawl my eyes out. Because it's just crushing me that I want him so badly and yet I can't. I mean, how do you even deal with that. There's no guidebook or YouTube video on this. 

"Nothing." I say and punch his arm lightly, like friends do.

"I bet ya thinking about some jock aren't you." He says laughing. Actually I am only it isn't just any jock it is him. He is the best ball player in our school and has been accepted to five of the top college's and no doubt my Liam will become a super star in his own right. I shake my head.

"Don't be such a jerk, Liam. Cut it out. Come on let's get out of here." Usually after class we'd go to Mason's grill for a bite to eat and a couple of sodas. We just hang out and chill with our friends. Most of whom have been having sex way before they should have been. I know I'm the only girl who hasn't lost her virginity yet. That's because I'm saving myself for the right man. Only the right man is right in front of me, so I could possibly die an old spinster. Ugwww, that's a bit depressing. I hope this crush passes soon and that it is just a phase. I have to admit it has been a pretty long phase though.

If I'm honest, I have been crushing on Liam since I was about thirteen. Every little thing he said back then I hung off every word. Actually I think I've been pretty spectacular in hiding it but someone is bound to notice. 

"Hey, who you going to the prom with." I keep myself together since I thought we'd got together as besties. Clearly not. 

"Erm I haven't decided yet."