Chapter 5 The Morning After

The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the tangled sheets. Christina stirred, her eyes fluttering open to find Liam's piercing blue eyes staring back at her. A slow smile spread across her face as the memories of the night before came flooding back, the laughter, the kisses, the way he'd made her feel like she was the only person in the world. "Morning," he said, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down her spine. Christina's cheeks flushed as she realized they were still in bed, the sheets tangled around them. She pulled the covers up, feeling a little self-conscious, but Liam's eyes only circled at the corners as he pulled her close.

"Don't hide," he whispered, his lips grazing her ear. "You're beautiful." The words sent a wave of heat through her body, and she knew she was in trouble. She'd meant to keep things casual, to protect her heart, but Liam was making it impossible.

As they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, Christina felt a sense of peace she'd never experienced before. It was like she'd found a missing piece of herself, like she'd finally come home but as the morning wore on, reality began to creep in. They'd been reckless, abandoning their inhibitions in the heat of the moment. What did this mean? Was it just a one-night stand, or was there something more? Liam seemed to sense her unease, his eyes searching hers. "Hey," he said, his voice soft. "What's going on?" Christina hesitated, unsure how to articulate the emotions swirling inside her. "I just...I don't know what this is," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam's expression turned serious, his eyes locked onto hers. "I do," he said, his voice low and sure. "This is just the beginning."

The words sent a shiver down her spine, a mix of excitement and trepidation. Was she ready to take that leap, to surrender to the unknown?As she looked into Liam's eyes, she knew the answer was yes. She was ready to take a chance, to follow her heart, no matter where it led.

The days turned into a blur of laughter, adventure, and stolen glances. Christina and Liam were inseparable, exploring the rugged beauty of Whistler and each other's hearts. But amidst the whirlwind, a nagging voice in the back of Christina's mind refused to be silenced. What happened to Andrew? Had she simply forgotten the pain he caused? And what about trust? Could she really open herself up to love again?

Liam sensed her unease, his eyes clouding with concern. "Hey, talk to me," he said, his voice soft, as they sat on a secluded bench overlooking the valley. Christina hesitated, unsure how to articulate the emotions swirling inside her. "It's just...I was with someone before. He hurt me. I'm scared to get hurt again." Liam's expression turned serious, his eyes locked onto hers. "I would never hurt you, Christina. I promise."

The words were like a balm to her soul, soothing the raw wounds of her past. But just as she was starting to let her guard down, her phone buzzed with an incoming message. Andrew's name flashed on the screen, and Christina's heart skipped a beat. What did he want?

"Who is it?" Liam asked, his voice neutral, but his eyes narrowed. Christina hesitated, feeling a wave of guilt wash over her. "It's...someone from my past."

Liam's expression turned guarded, his eyes searching hers. "Do you want to talk to him?"

Christina shook her head, a sense of clarity washing over her. "No. I don't want to."

As she deleted the message, a weight lifted off her shoulders. She was moving on, and she was ready to face whatever came next. But little did she know, this was only the beginning of the storm.