Maya's heart raced as she followed Liam to the door, struggling to formulate an excuse and apology. He held the door open for her, then closed it behind him.

Neither spoke until they reached his car, parked some distance away. Maya turned to Liam, but before she could speak, he said, "Well, that's out of the way. I'm glad I told her the truth." Maya forced a smile.

"Yeah," she replied, her voice cracking slightly. She cleared her throat. "About last night"

They spoke simultaneously: "Why are you avoiding me?"

Maya looked down. "I feel embarrassed," she admitted.

"Why?" Liam asked quietly.

Maya looked up. "Are you seriously asking me that?"

"Yes, I am," Liam replied, nodding.

Maya inhaled deeply. "Fine. I feel embarrassed because I kissed you. I did something I shouldn't have done. I had no right. I feel ashamed. I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. You've been kind to me, and maybe it's because I'm not used to such kindness without strings attached. What I did was wrong. I'm sorry," she said, her words tumbling out as her heart pounded.

Liam stared, unsure how to respond. He'd been unsettled since her kiss, and an apology didn't seem sufficient.

"How about we both get on the same page?" he suggested.

"What do you mean?" she asked, frowning in confusion.

Without answering, Liam stepped forward, putting his arm around her waist. Maya's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening as he lowered his head. Her breath hitched as his lips met hers with deliberate intensity.

This kiss wasn't a mere brush of lips. He nibbled softly on her lower lip until her lips parted, then kissed her passionately, blurring the world around them. His arm tightened, anchoring her as the kiss deepened, sending shivers down her spine. Her hands rose hesitantly, settling against his chest, where his heart beat wildly.

For a moment, Maya forgot how to think and breathe. She only felt his lips, tender yet consuming, as if he'd been waiting. His other hand gently cradled her face.

Her knees threatened to buckle, but his hold was firm. The kiss wasn't just a response, but a declaration she hadn't expected.

When he finally pulled back, their foreheads rested together. They stood there, breaths mingling in the cool night air. Maya's eyes fluttered open, meeting his gaze, heavy with emotion she couldn't define.

"Does that clear things up?" Liam's voice was low, slightly raspy. A faint smile touched his lips, but his eyes remained locked on hers, searching.

Maya opened her mouth, but no words came. Her hands trembled where they rested on his chest; she quickly pulled them away, wrapping her arms around herself as she stepped back. "I I don't understand," she whispered.

Liam laughed softly. "What's not to understand, Maya? You were embarrassed and avoided me because you kissed me. Now I've kissed you, and it's balanced. There's nothing to be ashamed of anymore."

Her cheeks flamed. "But I told you it was a mistake."

"And now I'm telling you it wasn't. I kissed you because I wanted to. Because I've wanted to since since you kissed me mistakenly," Liam said, his tone firm but gentle. "Do you think I've been able to stop thinking about you since last night? Because I haven't."

Maya blinked, her heart racing faster. "You you haven't?"

"No," he admitted, his thumb brushing her cheek.

She shook her head, tears pricking her eyes. "Liam, this is so confusing."

"What is?" Liam asked, wanting to understand her thoughts.

"You. Your feelings for Evelyn," she explained, avoiding his gaze.

"Oh, I understand," he said, nodding.

"You do?" she asked. He nodded again.

"I can't explain why I feel this way about you now, or why I no longer feel as strongly for Evelyn. I don't think we have to figure it all out tonight," he said softly, his hand remaining near hers. "I just needed you to know where I stand. And that you don't have to avoid me. We can figure it out together, slowly."

Maya wanted to run, to hide; but she also wanted to stay, to trust the safety she felt in his presence.

"What now?" she asked hesitantly.

Liam smiled gently. "Now, you go back inside and turn on your phone so I can call you when I get home. Then you'll tell me what you've been up to while ghosting me. And then we take things one step at a time. Together. Figure out what this is. Is that good enough?"

Maya's heart squeezed at his words. She nodded slowly, unsure but willing to try.

Liam stepped back. "Good. You can go in now." Maya stared at him.

"I'm sorry for avoiding you," she said. He smiled.

"It's okay. I understand." She nodded, then turned and walked back to the house.

Inside, Evelyn and Derek entered their bedroom. "Did you notice the tension between them?" Evelyn asked. Derek chuckled.

"Hard not to. But it seemed to come more from Maya. Did she have a crush on Liam?"

Evelyn shook her head. "No idea. This is the first time I've noticed anything unusual." She giggled. "Liam and Maya. Unexpected, but not unwelcome." Derek scowled.

"If anything happens between them, he has to prove himself to me. He can't just jump from my wife to my sister."

"I'm not your wife yet, Derek. Why do I have to keep reminding you?" she asked, amused.

"I wonder why you bother when it's unnecessary. No one asked you to," he grinned. She giggled.

"And there's no reason he can't have feelings for Maya," Evelyn said. Derek raised an eyebrow.

"If he liked you enough to move to Ludus, how can he move on so easily?"

"I don't think he came here because of me. It doesn't make sense for such a huge career move if we weren't even dating," Evelyn said. Derek shook his head.

"He did. Trust me. And even if he didn't, for someone claiming to be interested, he wouldn't move on in weeks. I couldn't for six years." Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"Liam and you are completely different. I had sex with you, but I was never intimate with Liam. There's no sexual tie making it hard for him to move on. Also, Liam and I weren't meant to be, unlike you and I." Derek grinned.

"Alright, you've convinced me." She giggled.

"I'm glad Liam's here, though. Maybe we can register at his clinic, and he can deliver our baby." The smile slid off Derek's face.

"Liam delivered Sam?" he asked. Evelyn paused, realizing her slip.

"Yes. I thought I mentioned it?" she asked innocently.

"No, you didn't. You said he was a helpful friend you met when you were pregnant"

"You remember everything I said," Evelyn winced.

"Perfectly. So, I assume you forgot the most important part," Derek said accusingly. Evelyn giggled.

"Alright, I'm sorry. I deliberately didn't mention it," she admitted.

"Why?" Derek asked, confused.

"Ray was weird about it when I mentioned Liam was my OB/GYN, so I thought it best not to tell you, too," Evelyn explained.

"She was weird, huh?" Derek's tone was suggestive.

"C'mon, babe. It's not a big deal. Liam's a professional"

"The only man delivering our baby is me," Derek interrupted. Evelyn laughed.

"Jealous much? You're not even a doctor," she pointed out.

"Exactly. So, unless you want to wait until I get a medical degree, which might take years, I suggest the next OB/GYN is a woman." Evelyn giggled.

"I really don't get why you're making this a big deal," she said, laughing.

"It is a big deal! I can now see why he fell for you," Derek said suggestively. Evelyn laughed.

"He didn't fall for me because of anything he saw. Don't be ridiculous," she scolded.

"I don't care. I'm going to make him play some physical sports with me. Maybe basketball, and I will beat him to a pulp," Derek threatened. Evelyn laughed.

"You will do no such thing. Maybe you want Maya to disown you," she said, and they both laughed.

"Well, tomorrow's our appointment with the obstetrician—a woman—so you have nothing to worry about. We'll bring my parents home afterward," Evelyn reminded him. Derek nodded. "Tomorrow's another busy day," he sighed.

"Yeah. I hope we hear back from the investigator tomorrow as he promised," Evelyn yawned, referring to the investigator looking into her parents-in-law's murder.

"Me too," Derek murmured, pulling Evelyn close and turning off the lights.