#Chapter 69: The Best Place Is Here

Aria’s POV I walked back into the headquarters later that day, after lunch. By then, the press conference had cleared up. Liam had texted me, telling me to come straight to his office the moment I arrived. Many of my co-workers stopped me on my way. “Oh, Aria, we are so happy to have you back!” “I never believed the rumors for a minute.” “That liar should go to jail, is what I think.” I thanked each one of them, happy for their support, as I continued on my way. When I made it to Liam’s office, he was sitting at his desk, so focused on his work that he didn’t see me standing in the doorway. I watched him for a moment, admiring the way his nose scrunched ever so slightly as he concentrated. He ran a hand along the side of his jaw, scratching at the stubble that had grown since I’d seen him last night. He hadn’t shaved yet. Did he even go home? After what he had done for me, I felt endeared to him in entirely new ways – at least, in ways that I hadn’t felt since before th