Chapter 4: The Office Showdown

The room went dead silent when Liam walked in.

Everybody knew Liam Hart. He was practically a legend in New York City—gorgeous, wealthy, the ultimate bachelor, and head of the hottest tech firm around. His face was all over finance magazines, and he was constantly in the gossip columns. Even Cher, who was in journalism, couldn’t miss that fact.

Liam walked right up to Allie, his voice low and smooth. “Who are these people?”

Allie, thrown off by his unexpected appearance, glanced at him and shrugged, “Nobody important.”

A soft smile touched Liam’s face as he took her hand. “I picked up a few things for you on my trip to Japan. Come, let’s

go see if you like them.”

With that, he turned to leave, holding Allie’s hand. But before they made it to the door, Nick stepped forward, grabbing

Allie’s arm. “Allie, who is this guy to you?”

Allie paused, aware of the tension building in the room. Cher and everyone else were staring. Even Liam was watching, waiting for her response.

Taking a deep breath, Allie answered firmly, “He’s my boyfriend.”

Liam and Nick both froze, though for different reasons.

Nick’s face fell, showing a mix of hurt and shock. “Allie, how could you do this to me?”

Seeing Nick’s heartbroken expression and the disbelief on Cher’s face, Allie felt a strange satisfaction. Liam’s appearance was exactly what she needed to hold her ground and remind herself that she wasn’t some pushover.

She turned back to Liam, sliding her arm through his. “How about dinner tonight? Let’s go to Il Sole—I’ve been craving their spicy shrimp.”

Liam chuckled, tapping her nose with a gentle smile. “Whatever you want, snacks included.”

Nick’s face was turning red with frustration. He called after them, raising his voice, “Liam, do you even know who I am to Allie? I was her first love!”

For Nick, their bond felt unbreakable. They’d known each other forever. But for the first time, he felt real panic as he saw her in Liam’s arms.

Liam turned around slowly, his expression calm and unreadable. “And I’m her first man.”

With that, he wrapped an arm around Allie, pulling her close as they walked out.

Outside, the office was buzzing with whispers. A small crowd of coworkers had been sneaking glances through the glass walls, not missing a second of the drama.

The whole place was abuzz. Rumor had it that the guy with Allie was her ex, but when Liam himself had overheard the chatter as he walked in, he’d headed straight for the meeting room.

Now, all eyes followed as Allie, looking flustered, walked down the hallway with Liam, following him back toward his office. Everyone knew she was likely in for a serious talk—and this time, it probably wouldn’t be easy.

 

* * * * * * * *

 

Everyone in the office felt bad for Allie.

Not only had her ex and his new girl showed up to confront her, but then the boss swooped in and took her to his office. The rumor mill was churning, and it seemed like Allie was in for a serious reprimand on top of everything else. It was just plain cruel.

The second Liam closed the office door, he pressed Allie gently but firmly against it.

He kissed her deeply, with a passion that caught her off guard. His kisses were rougher, almost possessive, leaving her breathless and reeling.

Finally, he pulled back, still pinning her against the door, taking her in. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and her wide eyes had a dazed look, making her look vulnerable yet captivating.

Allie’s beauty had always been understated—like a flower blooming quietly in the corner. But now, she looked like pure temptation, her soft lips and delicate neck drawing Liam’s gaze.

He swallowed hard, his voice low and husky. “So… your first love, huh? Funny, I don’t remember you mentioning him.”

Allie blinked, snapping out of her daze. “You never asked, and I thought you knew.”

Of course, he knew. But the thought of her with someone else, sharing moments and memories, sparked something possessive in him.

She could sense his quiet frustration, though she wasn’t entirely sure why he was so riled up.

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “Why’d you introduce me as your boyfriend back there? We’re legally married, remember? Or are you embarrassed to call yourself my wife?”

That’s when it hit her—he was upset because of that. She hadn’t thought it was such a big deal. After all, they’d agreed to keep the marriage quiet for now. It made sense for him, being single was a good look for his career. And for her, well, she wasn’t sure this marriage would last forever, so why complicate things?

But she couldn’t exactly say that out loud.

“I’m just a college sophomore,” she explained, choosing her words carefully. “It’s easier for me if people don’t know.

And you’re… well, you’re Liam Hart. You’re the guy that half of New York would line up for. No one’s going to believe you’re tied down. A little mystery doesn’t hurt.”

Liam’s mood shifted, a trace of amusement flickering in his eyes. “So, you think I’m handsome?”

Allie quickly nodded, laying it on thick. “The most handsome guy in the world.”

Liam’s lips curved into a smirk. “For that honesty, I’ll let you off the hook this time.”

In that moment, Allie couldn’t help but think—he might be insufferably cocky, but she had to admit, he looked pretty damn good even while being so arrogant.