T-Minus 21 Pt. 2

You ran your toothbrush over your teeth absentmindedly, staring at your own reflection in the bathroom mirror. Your hair was still a little wild from sleep, a few strands curling where they had dried unevenly. The faintest flush dusted your cheeks, probably from the warmth of Liam’s bed still lingering on your skin.

Liam stood beside you, brushing his own teeth in near-perfect synchronization, his sleepy gaze fixed on his reflection as well. It was almost domestic, the two of you standing shoulder to shoulder at the sink, quietly going through the motions.

Almost like nothing had changed.

But things had changed, hadn’t they?

Your eyes flicked to him in the mirror. He was shirtless, wearing only a loose pair of sweats slung low on his hips. His hair was an absolute mess, evidence of how deeply he had slept. Normally, you would have teased him for it, maybe ruffled his already disastrous bedhead just to be annoying. But your fingers twitched at your side, and the thought of touching him sent an odd flutter through your stomach.

You weren’t supposed to feel like this about him.

Liam caught you staring. His brow quirked slightly as he spat out his toothpaste. “What?” His voice was still hoarse with sleep.

You rinsed your mouth quickly, covering up your hesitation with a smirk. “Nothing,” you said, tossing your toothbrush into the cup on the counter. “Just wondering if you always look this rough in the mornings or if last night took that much out of you.”

Liam scoffed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Please. If anything, you should be the one looking exhausted after—”

You clamped your hand over his mouth before he could finish that sentence.

“Nope! We are not doing this,” you said firmly, ignoring the heat rushing to your face. “We’re just gonna go about our day like normal, like totally platonic best friends who definitely didn’t—”

Liam licked your palm.

You yelped, jerking your hand away. “Gross!”

Liam just grinned, leaning against the counter with that stupid, satisfied look. “Hey, you’re the one who covered my mouth. That’s on you.”

You shot him a glare before turning on your heel. You needed to get away from him before you started thinking again. You had to wait for Liam to get out the bathroom before you could get into the shower.

The hot water was exactly what you needed. It loosened your muscles, chased away the last remnants of grogginess, and gave you a moment to breathe. You tilted your head back, letting the warmth sink into your skin, eyes slipping shut.

You had woken up in Liam’s arms.

You had slept all night curled up against him, his arms wrapped around your waist, holding you close like it was the most natural thing in the world.

And for some reason… it hadn’t felt weird.

It should have. It should have been awkward, or uncomfortable, or something. But instead, it had felt—

You bit your lip, pressing your forehead against the cool tile of the shower wall.

You couldn’t go down that road. Not with him.

He was your best friend. He was supposed to be the one person who stayed constant in all of this, the one person who didn’t get tangled up in the mess of your curse. But now, with only three weeks left, with only three more men to go, you couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Liam wasn’t just your best friend.

And that terrified you.

You exhaled slowly, letting the water wash away the thoughts with the steam. You weren’t going to overthink this right now. You were just going to focus on getting dressed, doing your makeup, and pretending everything was normal.

For now.

You toweled off quickly and stepped out of the shower, steam curling around you as you padded over to your room. Once inside, you let your towel drop and reached for your lingerie first—nothing fancy today, just a delicate white lace bralette and matching panties, the kind that felt soft and barely there against your skin.

You wanted something casual but still cute, so you settled on a white ribbed tank top, snug but not too tight, paired with high-waisted denim shorts that cinched in perfectly at your waist. The look was effortless—pretty but comfortable, exactly what you needed. You slipped on your nude block heels to add a bit of height but still keep things casual.

After brushing through your damp hair, you pulled out your makeup in the bathroom. You weren’t going natural today. Not when you needed the distraction.

You evened out your complexion with foundation, then added a bit of warmth back with bronzer along your cheekbones. A soft, peachy blush dusted your cheeks, and you highlighted just enough to make your skin glow.

For your eyes, you went for something playful—soft brown tones blended into the crease, a touch of shimmer on the lids, and a precise winged liner that added just the right amount of drama. Mascara coated your lashes, making them look long and fluttery.

Finally, your lips.

You lined them carefully before filling them in with a soft rose shade, something pretty but not too bold.

As you leaned back, examining your reflection, you felt… good.

No—scratch that. You felt hot.

Your makeup was perfect, your outfit casual but effortlessly pretty, and your hair had dried in soft waves that framed your face just right. There was a confidence in the way you looked, in the way the clothes hugged your figure, in the way your lips looked soft and inviting with that perfect swipe of color.

But that wasn’t what made your stomach twist.

It was the fact that, for the first time, you wanted Liam to think you looked hot too.

Your breath hitched slightly at the realization. A slow, creeping heat spread through your chest, crawling up the back of your neck. You felt like you had just stumbled across something you weren’t supposed to see—something forbidden, something that should have been locked away before you could even get close to it.

No. No.

This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening.

This was Liam. The same Liam you had known for years. The same Liam who had seen you at your absolute worst, who had suffered through all of your dumb ideas and even dumber decisions. The same Liam who had been there, unshaken, unchanging, through everything.

You weren’t supposed to want him to look at you like that. You weren’t supposed to feel this tight in your chest just imagining the way his eyes might drag over you, the way he might let his gaze linger a little longer than usual. You weren’t supposed to get butterflies at the idea of him noticing you, really noticing you, and realizing that maybe—just maybe—this wasn’t just friendship anymore.

God, when had this started? Was it last night, when his hands had been on you, gripping your waist, pulling you closer? Was it this morning, when you had woken up in his arms, safe and warm and… right? Or had it been creeping up on you for months, slipping through the cracks of your denial until now, when you were suddenly drowning in it?

You squeezed your eyes shut, gripping the edge of the vanity.

You couldn’t do this. You shouldn’t do this.

Because what if it was just the curse? What if everything—the flirting, the tension, the heat—was just a byproduct of your body changing? What if you weren’t actually falling for Liam, but just reacting to him the way you were meant to react to any man?

What if you ruined everything?

But then again… what if you didn’t?

What if this wasn’t just the curse? What if this was real?

Your fingers curled tighter against the wood. Shit.

There was only one way to find out.

You exhaled sharply, forcing yourself to look back up at your reflection. Your eyes were wide, pupils slightly blown, lips parted like you had just uncovered some great secret you weren’t sure you were ready to face.

But ready or not, it was happening.

You weren’t going to ignore this anymore.

You wouldn’t.

It was time to make your move.

You took a deep breath, smoothing your hands over your outfit before stepping out of the bathroom and heading toward the kitchen. The soft click of your heels against the floor echoed through the quiet apartment, announcing your arrival before you even entered the room.

Liam was already at the kitchen table, coffee cup in hand, his hair still a little messy from sleep. He glanced up at the sound of your footsteps, his lips curling into a lopsided smirk.

“Jesus, I heard you coming from a mile away,” he teased, taking a slow sip of his coffee. Then, after another glance at you, his tone shifted—lighter, genuine. “You look… nice.”

Your stomach twisted, heat creeping up your spine. The compliment shouldn’t have felt so different from all the other times Liam had thrown casual remarks your way. But it did.

Maybe because this time, you were actually listening.

“Stand up,” you said suddenly.

Liam blinked. “Huh?”

“Stand up.” You gestured vaguely, your voice softer now. “Just—stand up for a second.”

His brows furrowed slightly, but he set down his coffee and rose from his seat, still looking at you like he wasn’t entirely sure where this was going.

You stepped forward, closing the distance between you, looping your arms over his shoulders. Even with your heels on, he was still just a little taller.

Your heart was beating too fast. Fuck. This wasn’t planned. You hadn’t walked in here intending to do this, but now that you were standing here, pressed up against him, his body warm and solid beneath your touch, there was no turning back.

You swallowed hard. “Okay, so—I don’t really know how to say this.” You let out a sharp, nervous laugh, shaking your head slightly. “I mean, I do, I just—okay, whatever, I’m just gonna say it.”

Liam’s hands hovered at your sides, hesitant, as if he could already tell this wasn’t just playful flirting.

“I… I like you,” you admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “And I don’t just mean, like, like like. I mean—I think I want you.” You huffed out a breath, rolling your eyes at yourself. “Shit, that sounds bad. That sounds—God, I don’t know what I’m trying to say.”

Liam was watching you carefully, his expression unreadable.

You took another breath, forcing yourself to meet his eyes. “Look, I know this is probably the curse, okay? I know it’s probably just everything it’s done to me, the brain stuff, the changes, and maybe even just the fact that we’re so close—but…” You hesitated, wetting your lips. “I can’t ignore it anymore. I don’t want to ignore it anymore.”

The words felt weightless now that they were finally out in the open.

You exhaled sharply, pressing on. “Yesterday—the shopping trip, the whole day—it was fun, it was perfect, and it felt… I don’t know, romantic? And I feel like you felt that too. I mean, maybe I’m wrong, but I've been feeling all these signs, and I just—I don’t know, Liam. I don’t have a real reason for why I’m saying this, but I want you. And I want you to be mine.”

Liam’s lips parted slightly, his eyes widening just a fraction. He still wasn’t saying anything.

You swallowed, your fingers tightening around the back of his neck. “Not forever, obviously,” you added quickly. “I mean—fuck, hopefully not forever, because I’m still trying to undo this whole situation, but—” You took another breath. “For these next three weeks. Three weeks, that’s it. I just… want you to be my boyfriend for three weeks.”

Silence.

Liam just stared at you, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. He looked… dumbfounded. Like this was the last thing he had expected you to say.

Your stomach twisted again, but this time, it wasn’t from nervousness. It was from the slow, dawning realization of what you had just asked him.

And suddenly, it hit you. All of it.

Your breath caught in your throat.

“Wait.” Your voice dropped, cracking slightly. “Wait, no, what am I doing?”

Liam blinked. “What?”

You took a step back, shaking your head. “Liam, I—I’ve been sleeping with other guys.” Your own words made your skin prickle with shame. “Like—a lot of other guys. I’ve been flirting and teasing and—fuck, I’ve been blowing dudes like it’s a part-time job. And now I’m standing here, asking you—you—to be my boyfriend?”

Liam’s brows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t move.

You let out a bitter laugh, looking down at the floor. “You don’t deserve this. You don’t deserve me—not like this. Not after everything I’ve done. I mean—God, Liam, if I were still a guy, I wouldn’t even want someone like me.”

It hurt to say it out loud. It really hurt.

You bit your lip, your arms folding over yourself. “You probably don’t even think the same way. You probably don’t want this. I probably don’t even deserve to ask you for this, and—”

Before you could finish, Liam moved.

Fast.

His hands caught your waist and pulled you back in, dragging you against him before you could slip any further away.

You gasped softly, your palms instinctively landing against his chest. He was warm. Solid. His grip firm but careful, like he wasn’t going to let you run from this.

Your heart slammed against your ribs.

Slowly, he lifted your arms back up, draping them over his shoulders again, putting you right back where you had been a moment ago.

He didn’t say a word. Not yet.

But the way he was looking at you made your breath hitch.

Liam’s grip on your waist was steady, warm. He didn’t let you go, didn’t loosen his hold, even as you looked away, your breath still uneven from the flood of emotions crashing through you.

And then—finally—he spoke.

“You know I don’t—” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head before starting again. “I told you before. I don’t hold any of this against you. Ever.” His voice was firm, unwavering. “Everything you’ve done—everything you had to do—it wasn’t by choice. You were **** into it. I mean, hell, if you didn’t do it, you’d be stuck like this forever, right?”

You hesitated, your fingers still curled against his chest. “I mean… yeah, but—”

“No buts.” Liam cut you off gently. “I don’t care what you’ve had to do. It’s not like you’ve got some insane body count or anything.” He cracked a smirk, his voice dipping into something teasing. “Honestly? Most girls our age are already way into the double digits. You’re practically an innocent little thing compared to them.”

Your eyes snapped up to his, and you smacked his arm without thinking. “Liam!”

“What? It’s true!” He chuckled, the sound warm and familiar, easing the tension that had wrapped around you like a vice.

But then, just as quickly, his expression softened again. His hold on you tightened—not in a possessive way, but like he was grounding you, keeping you from spiraling further into self-doubt.

His voice was quieter now, more careful. “And besides… do you think this has been easy for me?”

Your breath caught. “What?”

Liam exhaled, running a hand through his hair before letting it drop back to your waist. “You think it’s been easy for me to watch you turn into…” He gestured vaguely, his jaw tightening for a moment. “Into this? To see you get more and more beautiful every single day? To live with you, joke with you, go back to the way things used to be, all while trying to ignore the fact that you’re—”

He hesitated, swallowing thickly.

You stared at him, your heartbeat hammering in your ears.

“Trying to ignore the fact that you’re hot as fuck now.”

Your lips parted slightly.

Liam gave a breathless, half-laugh, shaking his head. “Like—do you realize how hard it’s been? At first, I could push it off. I mean, yeah, the changes were there, but you were you, you know? Same best friend, same idiot I’ve been living with. But then… then, it got harder to ignore.” He licked his lips, his brows pulling together. “You’d wear something cute, or you’d laugh a certain way, or—fuck, I don’t know—you’d look at me a certain way, and suddenly, I’d have to remind myself that this is you.”

You felt dizzy. Not from nerves this time, but from the weight of what he was saying.

And he wasn’t done.

He let out a slow breath, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his face. “And then, as if I wasn’t struggling enough, we find out that Aphrodite decided to—oh, right.” He leaned in just slightly, voice dropping into a wry murmur. “That I can only get off with you touching me.”

Your face burned. “Liam—”

“I tried to ignore it,” he went on, his smirk twitching. “Tried to pretend like it wasn’t a thing, like it wasn’t affecting me, but let’s be real—how the fuck am I supposed to just act normal after that?”

You didn’t have an answer. Because… he wasn’t wrong.

Liam exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “So, yeah. I’ve been suppressing this. All of it. Because I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. Because you were already dealing with enough shit, and I didn’t want to throw something else at you. But now?”

He tilted his head slightly, his thumbs brushing absentmindedly over your sides.

“Now you’re standing here, asking me if I want to be your boyfriend for three weeks.” His lips twitched. “Like that’s supposed to be a hard choice.”

Your throat felt tight.

He let out a short laugh, almost to himself. “If you really want this—if you really want me for three weeks—then, yeah. I can do that.”

Your breath shuddered.

Liam’s eyes flickered over your face, his smirk fading into something softer. Something more serious. “I just need to know, are you sure? Because if we do this, I’m not gonna treat it like some throwaway thing. I’m gonna treat you like my girlfriend. Because that’s what you’d be.”

His grip tightened, just slightly. “And I need to know that’s what you really want.”

You stared into his eyes, the weight of everything pressing against your chest. But even with the storm of emotions inside you, your answer came easily.

“…Yeah.” Your voice was soft but steady. “For some reason, this is what I really want.”

Liam studied you, his expression unreadable.

You took a breath, tightening your arms around his shoulders, pressing just a little closer. “And I really think… you’re going to make this whole thing wonderful.”

That made him smile—small at first, but then bigger, more real, more Liam. His hands flexed on your waist. “Well, I am known for being a fantastic boyfriend.”

You laughed, rolling your eyes. “Oh, really?”

“Uh, yeah.” He smirked. “Just ask my past girlfriends.”

“Oh, wait.” You tapped your chin mockingly. “They all broke up with you.”

Liam scoffed. “Okay, rude. None of them was the right girl.”

Your heart squeezed at that.

But then his expression shifted, something more hesitant flickering across his face. “…You do realize that if we do this, when you’re a guy again, things are gonna be really awkward, right?”

You hesitated. “I mean… yeah. Maybe.”

Liam raised a brow. “Maybe?”

“Well.” You exhaled. “I’m hoping I can get Aphrodite or Hermes to call in a favor and, like… make us forget all the weird stuff.”

Liam blinked. “Make us forget?”

“Yeah.”

“Like, completely?”

“Hopefully.”

His stare sharpened. “‘Hopefully’?”

You huffed, shifting your weight. “Look, I know it’s not a solid plan, but I want this right now way more than I want to worry about that.”

Liam shook his head. “So we’re banking on hopefully.”

“Yes.”

He exhaled. “Fine. If you say so.”

You grinned. “Good. But you do realize that you’ll have to deal with me, you know…” You gave a helpless shrug. “…sleeping with three other guys to finish this trial and break the curse.”

Liam barely even hesitated. “Yeah, I can work with that.”

Your grin turned teasing. “Wow. So you’re really out here making an escort your girlfriend, huh?”

Liam shot you an unimpressed look. “More like a high-end call girl. At least give yourself that much credit.”

You gasped, smacking his arm. “Liam!”

He laughed. “What? It’s true!”

You were about to fire back another quip, but then… the teasing faded. The laughter in your chest settled into something warmer, deeper.

You met his gaze again, and this time, there was nothing between you but the truth.

“I love you, Liam.”

His breath caught. His fingers twitched against your waist.

But then—softer than you’d ever heard him—he murmured, “I love you too.”

Your chest tightened. Your heart pounded.

And then he kissed you.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t tentative. It was everything.

His hands pulled you in, holding you flush against him, and you melted into the heat of his mouth, the warmth of his body, the way he kissed you like he’d been waiting for this for months. Because he had.

And so had you.

You weren’t sure how long you stayed like that, tangled in each other, lost in it, but at some point, Liam broke the kiss, his forehead resting against yours, his breath heavy and uneven.

And then—because he was Liam—he ruined the moment.

“…So, uh. Does this mean I have to start buying you flowers now?”

You groaned. “Oh my God, Liam—”

“What? I just need to know what my boyfriend duties are.”

You smacked his arm.

He laughed, and it was warm, and familiar, and yours. For now, at least.

Author's Note: Readers! What on earth just happened in this chapter, huh? I mean, we knew the chemistry was strong, but this is a whole new level! I'd love to hear your comments on your reaction, your thoughts, your feelings! It won't change the story at all (I've already written it lol), but I'd love some feedback on how it made you feel and what it made you think. Thanks once again for reading!