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He squeezes my shoulder. “Son, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I shrug his arm off because I know he won’t look at me the same, then take a deep breath. “I’ve been in love with Chloe for years and…” I stop talking to see his reaction. His eyes are a bit wide with surprise, but he’s not making this about himself. “And, uh, I couldn’t tell her how I felt. We’ve been best friends for years and I was sure she just saw me as a brother.”
I go on to tell him about Mr. Love, and then about the secret admirer, ending it with the masquerade ball, where I revealed myself to her, and the conversation Chloe and I had the next day.
I sink down in my seat. “She’ll never talk to me again. Dad…what do I do? I love her and I know she’s the one for me. I can’t imagine loving another girl the way I love her.” Tears flash in my eyes. “I’m so stupid.”
His arm comes around me. “You’re not stupid, Liam. You were brave to tell her the truth. You couldn’t hide it from her—it wouldn’t have been fair to her.”
I nod, swatting the tears from my eyes. “But what good did it do? We’ll never be the same again.Nothingwill be the same again.”
He holds me close. “You need to give her as much space as she needs. But don’t give up. You guys have a special relationship, something so pure and rare. Chloe will come to see that.”
But what if she doesn’t? I know I said I’d accept it if Chloe doesn’t want me in her life, but the thought of it makes my stomach burn.
“You made a mistake,” Dad continues. “And that’s okay. You’re only human. If things are meant to work out, they’ll work out.” He bends forward to kiss my forehead. “The only thing you can do now is be there for her and give her as much time as she needs.”
“I love her so much, Dad.”
“I know you do, but you need to be patient. She’ll come to you when she’s ready.”
I puff out my cheeks. “Thanks for the talk.”
“No problem. Do you need help preparing for the finals?”
“Yeah, that would be great.”
As hard as it is, I need to push away my worry about Chloe and focus on the competition. I owe it to myself and her to win.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Liam
I rake my hand through my hair as I wait for Chloe to arrive at the competition.
After ten minutes, a car pulls up and she gets out. She looks at me and I look at her.
I smile. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course. I’d never leave you hanging. You need to win the scholarship.”
I swallow. She’d do anything and everything for me. While I was so selfish I only thought about my needs.
I gesture toward the entrance and she follows me inside. This is the same building the other two rounds were held in, but it feels different. The place is decorated differently and there are only two other contestants.
We enter a room near the stage where the finals will be held. Viraj and the judges go over the rules, and of course they mention the prize. Sienna’s got a wide grin on her face, as though she’s positive she has it in the bag. Harper looks like she’s about to pass out. As for me, my heart pounds so hard I think I might puke.
Chloe places her hand on my arm, giving me an encouraging smile. I return a small one.
She removes her hand. I suddenly feel cold.
The audience starts to fill up, and it won’t be long before the competition will start. Viraj and the judges leave us to chat among ourselves, but no one is really doing that. Pretty sure we’re all nervous and can hardly focus on anything else.
Sienna presses her phone to her ear, telling the person on the other end that she’ll come home with the prize and the trophy.
There’s a trophy? I didn’t know that.
“The competition?” she says, glancing at me and Harper. “Meh. No competition at all. Of course I know what I’m making. Mom…” She squeezes her phone. “Well, if you actually came to watch me compete, you’d know that…Um…yeah, I can hold, I guess.” She frowns as she gazes around the room. When she spots me watching her, she glares at me.
