A SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER Chapter 89: CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE

ASHLEY

My fingers hovered over my phone screen, the reply to Kyle’s text forming in my mind. I shouldn’t respond. I should leave him on read and enjoy my night, just like Violet said. But even as I tried to ignore it, my thumb instinctively moved to tap out a response.

Maybe just something casual. A location. A time.

A mistake.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. “I need to use the restroom,” I muttered to Violet, pushing my glass away.

She arched a brow, swirling her drink in her hand. “Need company?”

I forced a smile. “I’m fine. Just need a minute.”

She eyed me for a beat before nodding, returning her attention to the bartender.

I grabbed my phone and slipped through the crowd, my pulse hammering harder than it should. The hallway leading to the restrooms was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the neon glow of the club. As I stepped inside, I leaned against the cool marble sink, taking a deep breath.

Get it together, Ashley.

I turned my phone over in my hands, my thumb swiping across the screen to finally respond—

And then, a voice. Smooth, laced with amusement. A voice I hadn’t heard in years.

“Hi, Ashley. It’s been a long while.”

A familiar chill slithered down my spine. My stomach dropped, a pit forming deep in my gut.

I knew that voice.

Slowly, I turned.

And there he was.

Liam.

The sight of him hit me like a punch to the ribs.

He stood less than two feet away, arms loose at his sides, his mouth curved into something that might’ve passed for a smile—if I didn’t know him better.

The years had barely changed him. The same sharp, handsome features. The same dark, piercing eyes that held just a little too much amusement, like he knew something I didn’t. Like he was already playing a game I hadn’t even realized I was part of.

His brown hair was shorter than I remembered, styled neatly as if he hadn’t just materialized from the shadows to ruin my night. He wore a tailored black button-down, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the ink curling around his forearms. A silver watch glinted on his wrist, polished and expensive, and he’d paired it with dark slacks and leather shoes that screamed money.

Effortless. Calculated. Deceptive 

That was Liam.

And I hated that my body still reacted to the sight of him, even if it was with the wrong emotions.

Panic.

Anger.

A sense of self-preservation so strong it nearly made my legs lock up.

I knew this was possible—New York wasn’t an infinite city, and ghosts had a way of creeping back when you least expected them. But Liam? Here? After all this time?

“…What” My voice barely pushed past my lips. My ability to form a coherent sentence died an undignified death as I stared at the him

Liam stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocking back on his heels with an easy arrogance that made my skin prickle.

“Surprise,” he murmured.

I forced my expression into something neutral, something detached, even as the past clawed its way up my throat like bile.

I hadn’t seen him in what is it? eight years.

Not since Kyle had made sure of it.

Memories came rushing back with the force of a wrecking ball.

Liam cheated on me while we were dating in high school. I found out, broke up with him, and that should have been the end of it. And for a while, it was. He left me alone, and I moved on.

But after high school, he came back.

Not with apologies or remorse, but with an unsettling persistence, like he thought he could force his way back into my life. He was manipulative, obsessive—always finding ways to show up where he wasn’t wanted. Always pushing, testing my boundaries, acting like what we had wasn’t over.

And then Kyle stepped in.

Kyle didn’t warn him. He threatened him. Made it clear that if Liam ever came near me again, he’d destroy him. And just like that, Liam vanished.

For eight years, I didn’t see him. Didn’t hear from him. Didn’t even think about him Until now.

Now, he was standing right in front of me, looking like he belonged here, like he had every right to strike up a conversation as if we were long-lost friends catching up.

“You haven’t seen me in years, Ashley,” he said, his lips curling into that same smirk that used to fool me. “A how’ve you been wouldn’t hurt.”

I scoffed, the sound sharp, bitter. “A how’ve you been?” I repeated, my voice dripping with disbelief. “Are you serious?”

Liam’s smirk didn’t waver. If anything, it deepened, like he was enjoying this. Like he expected this reaction and was feeding off it. “What? No warm reunion? No ‘Wow, Liam, it’s been so long, how’s life been treating you?’”

My fingers curled into fists. My heart pounded, a mix of anger and something more dangerous—something that tasted like unease. 

And now here he was, real as ever, standing less than two feet away.

“Life’s been great,” I said coolly, forcing my body not to betray the irritation crawling beneath my skin. “Especially since you haven’t been in it.”

Liam let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Ouch. Still sharp-tongued, I see. I always did like that about you.”

I bristled. The way he spoke, like we had history instead of a toxic mess I had worked hard to escape, made me sick.

I turned, ready to leave, but he shifted, stepping slightly to the side—just enough to block my path. Not enough to touch me, not enough to do anything, but enough to remind me of the control he always tried to have.

“Come on, don’t be like that,” he said smoothly. “I’m just trying to catch up.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m not.”

I moved to step around him, but his voice caught me mid-motion.

“You still with Kyle?”

My breath hitched.

I turned my head just enough to look at him. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—those dark, calculating eyes—were locked on me, watching, searching for a reaction.

“That’s none of your business.”

That damn smirk returned. “That means no, doesn’t it?”

I refused to answer. Refused to let him pull me into whatever game he was playing.

But Liam was never one to let things go easily.

“You know, I still remember the last time I saw him.” His tone was light, but there was an edge beneath it. “Your knight in shining armor. The way he looked at me like he wanted to rip my throat out. That was entertaining.” He tilted his head. “I’m surprised he didn’t keep tabs on you. Guess even Kyle Blackwood has his limits.”

I gritted my teeth. “Liam—”

“I mean, if he really cared, wouldn’t he have made sure I never came near you again?” His smile was almost lazy, but his words were anything but. “Looks like he slipped up.”

Enough.

I exhaled sharply, forcing my voice to stay even. “Move.”

He didn’t.

Not right away.

Liam studied me for a moment longer, like he was peeling back layers, searching for something he could use.

Then, just as smoothly as he had stepped into my path, he moved aside.

“Fine.” He held up his hands, mock innocence lacing his features. “I’ll let you go. But Ashley?”

I paused, not because I wanted to, but because something in his voice made me.

His smirk widened.

“I don’t think we’re done here.”

A chill scraped down my spine.

I turned on my heel and walked away, my hands clenched so tightly my nails bit into my palms.

I needed to leave. I needed to forget this ever happened.

But deep down, I already knew—Liam never showed up without a reason.

And that terrified me more than I was willing to admit.

I pushed through the restroom door with more force than necessary, barely noticing the startled glance from a girl fixing her lipstick at the mirror. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out the muffled bass of the music outside. I needed a second—just a second—to pull myself together.

Liam. Of all people. After eight years.

I exhaled sharply, gripping the sink, my reflection staring back at me. My expression was tight, my jaw clenched, but underneath it all, I could see the flickers of something I hated—something dangerously close to shaken.

No. I wouldn’t give him that power. Not again.

I straightened, smoothing a hand over my dress like it could press away the tension still coiled in my body. Then, without another second of hesitation, I turned and walked out.