Chapter 2 Unspoken Words

The night sky was clear and crisp as Maya walked alongside Ethan, their footsteps echoing against the cobblestone streets of the city. The dinner they'd shared was enjoyable-perhaps too enjoyable, she thought with a slight pang of guilt-but her mind had been elsewhere for most of it.

Ethan had been talking about his new project at work, his voice animated and full of excitement, but all Maya could think about was Liam. She hated herself for it, but she couldn't help it. The image of Liam's dark eyes, the way his smile could make her heart race, the sound of his voice that always seemed to draw her in... He was there, constantly.

"Are you even listening?" Ethan's voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to reality.

Maya blinked, meeting his gaze, and tried to focus. "Sorry, I just... I've got a lot on my mind."

He didn't seem convinced, his brow furrowing slightly. "You're not yourself lately, Maya. What's going on?"

She smiled weakly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "It's nothing, really. Just work stuff."

Ethan paused, his hand brushing against hers as they walked, an accidental touch that sent a ripple through her. It was always like this with him-comfortable, safe-but tonight it felt... lacking. He was right. She hadn't been herself lately. She wasn't sure who she was anymore, not with the weight of her feelings for both him and Liam pressing down on her.

They reached her building, and Ethan stopped, turning to face her. "I know something's bothering you, Maya. You can talk to me, you know?"

Her heart twisted. She'd always been able to talk to Ethan. He was her best friend, her rock. But tonight, as she stood there facing him, she realized something-she was keeping secrets from him. Not just about Liam, but about herself.

"Maybe I'm just tired," she said, her voice quiet. "I think I'll call it a night."

Ethan studied her for a moment, his gaze softening. "Alright. But remember, I'm here for you."

"I know," she whispered, and for a moment, her heart ached with guilt.

She watched him walk away, his back retreating into the shadows, and then stepped inside her building, her mind swirling with thoughts she didn't know how to process.

Inside her apartment, Maya kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the couch. She rubbed her temples, trying to ward off the headache forming at the back of her mind. She'd spent the entire evening with Ethan, and yet, all she could think about was Liam.

Her phone buzzed on the coffee table.

Liam: "I can't stop thinking about you, Maya."

Maya let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her pulse quickened as she picked up the phone, typing a response before she could stop herself.

"I've been thinking about you too."

She stared at the message, her heart pounding in her chest. What was she doing? She wasn't just playing with fire anymore-she was holding the match.

Before she could rethink her actions, Liam's name flashed on the screen, a call coming through.

Her thumb hovered over the answer button. She had no idea what she was getting herself into, but her finger moved before her brain could catch up. She answered.

"Hey," Liam's voice came through, smooth and low, with that intoxicating edge that always sent a shiver down her spine. "I didn't expect you to reply."

"I didn't expect to," Maya replied honestly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I couldn't not."

There was a brief silence, and then he spoke again, his voice quieter this time. "I miss you, Maya."

The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. Maya swallowed hard. She had heard those words before, but now, in this moment, they felt different-heavier.

"I miss you too," she said, her voice barely a breath. She didn't even realize she'd spoken the words aloud until they were out there.

Liam let out a low laugh, and it sent another shiver through her. "You're making this difficult for me, you know."

Maya closed her eyes, trying to ground herself. "What do you mean?"

"You're playing with my heart, Maya. And I'm not sure how much longer I can take it." His words were raw, vulnerable, and it made her heart ache.

"I'm not trying to play with you," she said quickly, but even as she said the words, she knew they weren't entirely true. She was playing with fire.

"I know you're not," Liam responded, his tone softer now. "But you have to choose, Maya. You can't keep pretending like this isn't real."

Her breath caught in her throat. "Choose?" she repeated, the word hanging in the air like a heavy weight.

"You know what I mean," Liam's voice was thick with emotion now. "It's either me or him, Maya. You have to decide."

The words echoed in her mind long after the call ended.

Maya stood up, pacing her small apartment, her thoughts a tangled mess. Liam was right. She couldn't keep stringing him along-or Ethan. But how could she choose between the two of them? They both offered something she desperately needed, but in such different ways.

Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Ethan.

"Just wanted to check in. Are you okay?"

She stared at the screen, her heart torn. She could feel the weight of his concern, but at the same time, the pull toward Liam was like a magnetic force she couldn't resist.

"Yeah, just tired. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Maya tossed her phone aside and sat back down, burying her face in her hands. She had no idea how she'd gotten here-caught between two men, each offering a different version of love, each wanting her in a way she wasn't sure she could return.

But the choice loomed, and she knew it would come soon.