Jenna woke up the following morning to the familiar hum of her phone buzzing on the nightstand. A message from Liam. He'd kept things simple, just like he always did.
Liam: Coffee?
It was early, the city still wrapped in the quiet morning haze, but Jenna found herself replying almost immediately.
Jenna: You're persistent. Where and when?
Liam: I'll pick you up in 30 minutes. Be ready.
As she slipped out of bed and began getting ready, her mind wandered back to the night before. The encounter with Nathaniel had left her worried and thinking . She didn't need to overanalyze it — she knew her brother's tactics, his calculated way of doing business — but something about the way Liam had handled it stood out. His calm, his confidence, his ability to stay unshaken by the subtle game of one-upmanship Nathaniel seemed so eager to play.
When she heard the soft honk of Liam's car from outside, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door.
---
The Café
Liam was waiting for her in the sleek black car, leaning casually against the door. His sharp suit was replaced by something more relaxed today — a light jacket, a dark shirt underneath. He looked less polished, but in a way that made him more intriguing. Less business-like, more... himself.
"Morning," he greeted her as she slid into the passenger seat. "Ready for your coffee fix?"
Jenna smiled, settling into the seat. "I guess I'm always ready for coffee. You didn't strike me as a café kind of guy."
Liam raised an eyebrow as he started the engine. "I'm full of surprises. Don't forget that."
She laughed softly. "I'm starting to realize that."
They drove through the city streets, the skyline rising in the distance. It wasn't the luxury of the gala or the sleek office buildings they passed, but the small local café Liam chose that caught her attention. Nestled in a quieter corner of the city, it was a place that seemed to operate outside the world of power lunches and high-end deals. The kind of place people went to just be, to get away from the world.
Inside, the warm scent of freshly brewed coffee hit her the moment they entered. The café was cozy, a mix of exposed brick and wooden tables. It had an old-world charm, with vintage photos and mismatched furniture scattered about.
Liam led the way to a quiet corner. As they sat down, he immediately placed a cup of coffee in front of her, steam rising from the surface. "This place makes the best espresso."
Jenna took a sip and felt the rich flavor hit her senses. "It's good," she admitted. "But you never struck me as the 'chill café' type."
"Maybe I'm just full of surprises," he repeated, his smile a little more knowing this time.
They both fell into a comfortable silence for a moment, the hum of the café around them. Jenna found herself thinking of the evening at the gala again, the brief tension she had felt between Liam and Nathaniel. The way her brother had sized up Liam, the quiet challenge in his voice. Nathaniel didn't really see eye to eye with Jenna about her independence — always trying to guide her toward what he considered the right path. And now, it seemed like he was making a subtle push for control over her business, even if he wasn't doing it directly.
"Are you thinking about last night?" Liam's voice broke into her thoughts, his eyes trained on her.
Jenna blinked, startled. "How did you—?"
"I know that look," he said, leaning back in his chair, his gaze never leaving hers. "You're deep in your thoughts, and it's clear something's bothering you."
She bit her lip, torn between dismissing it and sharing the burden. She'd never been one to confide easily, especially with someone like Liam, but there was something in his eyes, an unspoken understanding that made it harder to keep up the walls.
"It's just... Nathaniel. He's been pressuring me again," she said quietly. "And I don't know what to do about it. I love what I'm doing with my jewelry line, but it feels like every time I take a step forward, he pulls me two steps back."
Liam's eyes softened, and for a moment, his usual businesslike edge melted away. "He wants leverage, Jenna. That's all it is. But he doesn't get to decide what your life looks like. You do."
She studied him for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Liam didn't know the full history between her and Nathaniel, didn't understand the weight of family expectations, tho he was her only family. But there was something in the way he spoke — in the firmness of his words — that made her feel like maybe he was right. Maybe she didn't need to keep carrying this burden alone.
"It's hard," she admitted. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm in the middle of a tug-of-war. My family, my business, my future... it's all pulling in different directions."
Liam set down his cup, his fingers tapping lightly against the rim. "It's not easy, I won't lie to you. But it's your choice, Jenna. You don't have to keep living by someone else's rules."
There was a quiet strength in his words, and in that moment, Jenna realized how much she had been leaning on him — not just as a source of comfort, but as someone who could see through her defenses. Maybe more than she'd wanted.
"Thank you, Liam. I think I feel better now"
Liam watched her closely. "You sure?"
Jenna smiled. "I'll catch up with you later."
As she walked out of the café, the morning sun warming her face, she couldn't help but wonder what her next steps would be. There were people like her brother, caring way more than he should and putting more weight on her shoulders. And then there was Liam — steady, confident, and always present.
For the first time in a long while, Jenna didn't have the answers. But maybe that was okay. Maybe, for once, it was okay to just follow where the threads of her life were leading.