The Dress Swap That Exposed Her Perfect Lie Chapter 05

The Dress Swap That Exposed Her Perfect Lie Chapter 05

Walking home, I realized how quiet it had been.

No scheming to bump into Ethan. No Liam tagging along to mooch dinner while we bickered the whole way.

Just silence.

Just me.

So I let myself think.

Did I really need other people to tell me I was worth something?

My steps felt lighter after that.

Same as always, I fed the stray cats.

I helped the old woman at the fruit stand pick up the oranges that had scattered across the road.

I walked the blind woman to the mall entrance she was looking for.

When I got home, Liam was waiting at my door.

He looked at my dirty skirt and opened his mouth, probably to roast me, then visibly swallowed it down.

He cleared his throat and held out a to-go bag. “Hazel, I got you a grilled cheese sandwich. From that food truck you love. Huge line. Try it.”

The smell hit me.

Liam stood there with his hands in his pockets, chewing gum and watching me from the corner of his eye.

I knew this move. It was his apology.

Take the offering, and we’d be fine. But I didn’t want to.

Before I could figure out how to respond, my phone buzzed. Vera’s name lit up the screen.

Her voice was bright and bubbly. “Hazel! Did Liam apologize to you like a good boy?”

I didn’t answer.

She huffed, all self-righteous. “That Liam, I swear. I casually mentioned in the group chat that I was craving grilled cheese, and he went and bought one and brought it all the way to the restaurant.”

“Ugh, my parents were right there. I couldn’t exactly just walk out. So I didn’t take it. I told him—very sternly—to bring it straight to you. So? How was his apology? If it wasn’t sincere, that means he’s not listening to me. And if he’s not listening to me, I’m never speaking to him again.”

Something snagged in my brain.

I turned to Liam. “Group chat? What group chat? The three of you have a group chat?”