Chapter 3

She failed.

Every time she turned around, somehow, he was there.

Near the pool.

By the drinks table.

Talking to someone.

Laughing with a group of guys.

And every single time their eyes met, that irritating smile appeared on his face.

It was beginning to annoy her.

"Stop looking at him," Maya whispered.

"I'm not."

"You've looked at him six times."

"I was looking at the people around him."

"Sure."

Liana rolled her eyes.

"I'm not interested."

"Then why are you keeping count?"

Liana opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

Maya laughed.

Before Liana could respond, someone bumped into her shoulder.

"Sorry."

She turned.

A guy she didn't recognize smiled at her.

"You're new here?"

"Not exactly."

"I've never seen you before."

"Maybe because I don't usually come to parties."

He smiled.

"Then I'm glad you came tonight."

Liana smiled politely.

"Thanks."

He introduced himself and started talking.

Liana listened, but her attention kept drifting.

Because somewhere behind him, Damon was watching.

And he didn't look amused anymore.

After a few minutes, Liana excused herself and walked toward the pool.

She had barely reached the edge when Damon appeared beside her.

"Making friends already?"

She looked at him.

"Is that a problem?"

"Not mine."

"Good."

She turned away.

Damon leaned against the railing.

"So, how long are you planning to keep pretending?"

Liana frowned.

"Here we go again."

"You don't belong here."

She laughed.

"You've known me for less than an hour."

"And I'm already right."

"About what?"

"You came here because you're angry."

Liana's smile faded.

Damon continued.

"You're angry at your parents. Maybe they control you too much. Maybe you think nobody understands you."

She stared at him.

"How do you know that?"

"Because you're not partying."

He pointed toward the dancing crowd.

"You're standing here thinking about going home."

Liana crossed her arms.

"You think you know everything."

"No."

His voice became quieter.

"I just recognize the look."

She studied him.

For the first time, she noticed that beneath his confidence was something else.

Something guarded.

"You have controlling parents too?"

Damon laughed without humor.

"Welcome to the club."

Liana's expression softened.

"My parents want to plan my entire life."

"Mine already did."

"What happened?"

"I refused."

"And?"

"They're still angry."

Liana smiled slightly.

"So we're both rebels."

Damon looked at her.

"No."

He stepped closer.

"You're a rich girl pretending to be rebellious."

Her eyes widened.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"I'm not pretending."

"Prove it."

Liana stared at him.

"How?"

Damon pointed toward the pool.

"Jump."

She looked at the water.

Then at him.

"You want me to jump into a swimming pool?"

"Yes."

"With my clothes on?"

"You're wearing black. It'll dry."

She laughed.

"You are ridiculous."

"That's not a no."

Liana glanced around.

Nobody was paying attention to them.

She looked back at Damon.

"You think I'm scared?"

"I think you're thinking about ten reasons why you shouldn't."

He was right.

And she hated that.

Without another word, Liana stepped closer to the pool.

Damon's eyebrows lifted.

"Wait."

She looked at him.

"Now you're scared?"

"No."

He shook his head.

"I didn't think you'd actually do it."

Liana smiled.

"Maybe you should stop underestimating me."

Then she jumped.

The cold water swallowed her instantly.

When she surfaced, everyone nearby started cheering.

Maya screamed with laughter.

Damon stood completely still.

Liana pushed her wet hair away from her face.

"Still think I'm pretending?"

Damon finally laughed.

A real laugh.

"No."

He shook his head.

"Maybe you're crazier than I thought."

Liana grinned.

"Better."

She climbed out of the pool.

Her clothes were dripping, her hair was soaked, and she couldn't stop laughing.

For the first time in a long time, she wasn't thinking about her parents.

She wasn't thinking about university.

She wasn't thinking about the future they had planned for her.

She was simply enjoying herself.

Damon walked over and handed her a towel.

She took it.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Their fingers briefly touched.

A strange silence settled between them.

Liana looked up.

Damon was already looking at her.

Neither moved.

Then a voice interrupted them.

"Damon!"

A young man approached.

He was tall, handsome, and much calmer than Damon.

His eyes landed on Liana.

Then he smiled.

"Hi."

"Hi."

Damon sighed.

"Ryan, this is Liana."

Ryan nodded.

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

Ryan glanced at Damon's soaked shirt.

"What did you do?"

Damon pointed toward Liana.

"She jumped into the pool."

Ryan looked impressed.

"Seriously?"

Liana smiled.

"Apparently I'm crazy."

Ryan laughed.

"I like her already."

Damon gave him a look.

Ryan noticed.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Liana looked between them.

Something about that exchange made her curious.

She didn't know it yet, but Ryan Cole was about to become an important part of her life.

And unlike Damon, Ryan wouldn't challenge her.

He would understand her.

He would listen.

And eventually, he would fall for her.

But tonight, Liana wasn't thinking about any of that.

She was thinking about one thing.

For the first time, she had broken one of her parents' rules.

And she had enjoyed every second of it.