Page 16 of Liam (The Valeur Billionaires #4)

Sofia laughs, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Don’t you dare, Liam. You look great. Though I’d love to see these formal sweatpants sometime.”

As we enter the restaurant—a cozy Italian place I researched for its “normal date” ambiance—I mentally run through my checklist. Be charming. Be funny. Don’t talk about her brows.

My eyes dart around until I locate Marcus seated at a corner table, pretending to be engrossed in a menu.

“Everything okay?” Sofia asks, noticing my distraction.

I plaster on a smile. “Just admiring the decor. Shall we?” I guide her to our table, positioning myself so she can’t see Marcus, my ever-present shadow, masquerading as a fellow diner.

Once seated, I lean in, channeling my most attentive “listening to the pitch from start-up” posture. “So, Sofia, tell me about your work as a pediatric nurse. It must be rewarding.”

Her eyes light up, and I feel a surge of victory. Nailed it.

“Oh, it really is. Just last week, we had this little boy...” Sofia launches into a story. Her passion is infectious .

“I’m impressed,” I say when she finishes. “You handle tiny humans with ease. I can barely solve a Rubik’s cube without breaking into a sweat.”

Sofia grins. “Well, I appreciate your interest. Most guys I date look for the exit as soon as I mention my forty-eight-hour shifts.”

I lean in, lowering my voice. “Well, between you and me, I find sleep deprivation and saving lives far more interesting than most people’s hobbies. Tell me, do you have a secret coffee IV drip, or is it all just pure adrenaline?”

She laughs, shaking her head. “A magician never reveals her secrets. But let’s just say the hospital coffee maker and I are in a very committed relationship.”

The candlelight flickers across Sofia’s face as she leans forward. “So, Liam, man of mystery. Tell me about your family. Any siblings hiding in that closet?”

My hand tightens on my wine glass. Danger, Will Robinson . “Family, huh? Well, there was this one time I created an entire imaginary clan for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Does that count?”

Sofia rolls her eyes, but her lips twitch. “Nice deflection. I’m starting to think you’re in witness protection or something.”

I wag my eyebrows. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you. And that would really put a damper on our evening.” And this is if Aleria won’t kill me first.

“Fine, keep your secrets.” Sofia laughs. “I’ll start. I have a sister, Amelia. She’s a high school English teacher with a penchant for terrible puns and an uncanny ability to quote Shakespeare at the most inappropriate moments. ”

“A teacher? Now that’s a superpower,” I say, seizing the chance to steer us away from my family minefield. “So you both work with kids?”

The conversation flows on, a delicate dance of wit and near-misses. I share travel stories, editing out private jets and luxury suites, like I agreed with Aleria.

Sofia counters with tales of backpacking mishaps and hostel adventures that make my curated “normal guy” experiences pale in comparison.

The server clears our dessert plates, and I realize with a start that the restaurant has emptied around us.

Couples and groups file out, leaving behind the soft clink of dishes and the low hum of the cleaning staff beginning their nightly routine.

I glance at my watch, eyes widening. How is it so late already?

Sofia’s laugh draws my attention back to her, the sound warm and inviting in the quiet restaurant.

Her eyes sparkle in the candlelight as she finishes her story about a disastrous camping trip.

For once, my mind isn’t racing with stock prices or upcoming board meetings.

Instead, I’m fully present, hanging on her every word, trying to commit this moment to memory.

For the first time in years, the thought of ending an evening fills me with reluctance instead of relief.

Standing by her car, I take a deep breath. “I had a wonderful time tonight, Sofia. Would you like to do this again? Maybe Friday?”

Sofia’s smiles. “I’d love to, Liam. It’s a date. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about your mysterious past. I’ll crack that puzzle eventually. ”

Sofia’s eyes meet mine, a silent invitation in their depths. I lean in, the scent of her perfume enveloping me. Our lips touch, soft and hesitant at first, then with more certainty. Her hand rests on my arm, and I cup her cheek. The kiss is sweet, like the tiramisu we shared earlier.

I wait for the rush, the quickening of my pulse, the swooping sensation in my stomach. But as we part, I’m left with only a mild warmth, like sipping a cup of tea that’s cooled too long.

Sofia’s cheeks are flushed, her smile shy, and I mirror her expression automatically. My mind races, analyzing the moment, searching for a hint of excitement or longing. Instead, I find only a calm appreciation, as if I’ve just viewed a pleasant painting.

“Thank you for a lovely evening,” I say.

Sofia’s smile wavers for a moment, almost imperceptible. “See you on Friday?”

I nod. “Absolutely. I’ll call you.”

As Sofia turns to unlock her car, I stuff my hands in my pockets, rocking on my heels. “Drive safely,” I add, wincing at how stilted I sound.

She gives me one last smile before sliding into the driver’s seat. “Goodnight, Liam.”

“Goodnight, Sofia,” I reply, raising a hand in farewell as she starts the engine.

As I watch Sofia’s taillights disappear around the corner, I pull out my phone, ready to text my friends about my success. Instead, a message from Aleria pops up.

Aleria

Hope your date went well. Mine was unexpectedly enlightening. Did you dazzle her with your vast knowledge of computer engineering, or did you stick to your expertise in corporate takeovers?

A grin spreads across my face, warmth blooming in my chest as my fingers fly across the screen.

I'll have you know I was the perfect gentleman. No hostile takeovers in sight. Though I may have accidentally tried to merge our dinner reservations.

Aleria

Amateur. Next time, try to buy the restaurant to impress her.

A snort escapes me, earning a curious glance from a passing couple, but I can’t stop smiling.

You wound me, James. I’ll have you know I considered buying it twice. How about you? Dazzle your date with tales of test tubes and Bunsen burners?

Aleria

Please. I have more finesse than that. I regaled him with the intricate mating rituals of single-celled organisms.

A bark of laughter escapes me.

I bet. Nothing says romance like amoeba reproduction. Did you demonstrate the process? I hear interpretive dance really drives the point home.

Aleria

Says the man who probably recited the entire history of JavaScript on his date. Let me guess, you wooed her with tales of semicolon placement?

I lean against my car, engrossed in our exchange.

I’ll have you know I saved that for the second date. First dates are all about CSS. Really sets the mood on fire.

“ Ahem .”

I jump, almost dropping my phone. Marcus stands by the open car door, one eyebrow raised so high it’s in danger of disappearing into his hairline .

“Successful evening, sir?” he asks.

I slide into the backseat, still grinning at my phone like an idiot. “You could say that, Marcus,” I reply, already planning my next witty retort to Aleria. “You could definitely say that.”