Chapter 16

Aria's POV I couldn't tear my eyes away from Aiden's face as he stared Liam down. The tension between them was palpable, crackling like electricity in the narrow hotel hallway. Liam's face contorted with disbelief as he looked between us, his eyes lingering on Aiden's arm still wrapped possessively around my waist. "You can't be serious," he scoffed, his voice rising. "This is just some sick revenge plot, isn't it? You and him?" He gestured dismissively at Aiden. "This isn't real. It can't be." Something snapped inside me at his words—his absolute certainty that I couldn't possibly have moved on from him. Without thinking, I turned to Aiden, placed my hand on his cheek, and pressed my lips against his. It was meant to be just a quick kiss, a statement for Liam's benefit. But the moment our lips touched, a jolt of electricity shot through me. Aiden froze for just a heartbeat before his hand tightened on my waist, pulling me fractionally closer. When I pulled back, Liam's face had gone c