Chapter 1

Twenty-five years old Arabella steps out of the plane and breathes the fresh air of Arizona. It has been six years since she left, but nothing much has changed except her.

Memories of the past came flooding in like an avalanche in her brain. But she's not here to reminisce. She's here for her mom. She rushed through the gate with her 5-year-old daughter in her arms and went out to catch a cab. But she didn't expect to see the one person she dreaded to see for many years. Liam Jones.

Arabella's POV

Shit! What the f**k is this man doing here? Oh God, please, I don't need this right now. I only want to see my mom. Okay, calm down Arabella, he doesn't notice you yet, so you are safe. Just stroll and look in another direction. He's busy talking on his phone so pretend you did not see him, alright?

Oh, God! Oh, God! Please, just this once, hear my pleas. I promise I will go to church often, just please don't let him see us.

Yep! God must be feeling hilarious today because when I came into full view right on cue, Liam raised his head, and our eyes locked. If you say Liam is shocked would be an understatement, he froze!

He looks at me intensely and shifts his gaze from me to the little girl I'm holding. I stood still, frozen. I can't look away even if I wanted to.

Seeing Liam after six years still gives butterflies in my stomach, but, most importantly, I am freaking nervous. Liam strolled towards me, and all I can think about is to bolt to the nearest cab, but nope, I stood there frozen, like a deer caught in the headlight as he approached.

Liam's POV

" Bella? Is that you?" I asked as I got nearer and looked at the cute little girl in her arms. I can't explain what I'm feeling right now aside from shock at seeing her again, but I am also happy that she's here.

When I looked at the little girl, I can't seem to shake the feeling of joy and protectiveness but, most of all, jealousy. So she's married and got a kid. She has moved on.

Arabella's POV

" Liam!! Hiiii!" I forced myself to act naturally and happy to see him, although my heartbeat is 200 beats per second.

" Good to see you again! What are you doing here? Flying somewhere?" I asked with a forced smile on my face that my jaws hurt.

" Ahh no, I'm waiting for someone, my ahm," but before he can finish what he was saying, I heard a high-pitched voice coming from behind me.

" Liam! Baby, I'm here!" The girl ran straight to Liam and showered his face with kisses. She is tall with short blonde hair, probably a model, I thought to myself. I am looking at the girl with raised brows.

" Who do we have here, baby?" The girl asked Liam, then turned to me extending her hand.

" Hi, I'm Taylor Liam's girlfriend," the girl smiled at me, obviously faking it, but I can see through her mask. She's pretending to be friendly.

Liam's POV

" Tay, this is Bella, my sister Collette's childhood best friend. Bella, this is Taylor, my ahm girlfriend." I introduced the two with such difficulty. Today is the first time I wished Taylor is not my girlfriend.

" And who is this little cutie over here?" Taylor pinched the little girl's face hard, making the baby wake up and look around her.

" Mommy, where are we?" Asked the little angel. She has dark chocolate eyes and long light brown curly hair with the cutest dimple on each cheek.

I was taken aback by the girl's appearance. I felt something had pinched my heart, and it confuses the heck out of me. The girl looks so familiar, but I can't remember where I have seen that face.

Arabella's POV

" We are still at the airport, sweetheart. Mommy's going to call a taxi now so we can see nana, okay?' Bella explained to her daughter then looked at Taylor and me.

" This is my daughter Sophie. Baby, these are mommy's old friends, uncle Liam and Taylor." Of course, I don't want my daughter to call this fake bimbo auntie. But, if possible, I don't want my daughter ever to see her pretentious face again.

" Okay! Sssooo, we'll go ahead, Liam. I'm sure mom's impatiently waiting for us now." I told Liam and forced a smile.

" Oh, okay, yeah, sure we'll go ahead as well. Does Colette know you are coming?" He asked me out of the blue.

" Ahm, no, I haven't talked to her after I left," I answered him with sad eyes. Thinking of my best friend pinches my heart.

" Please say hi to Collette for me and tell her she can come by the house anytime, that is, if she still wants to see me," I added with a sad smile.

" Of course she does. She's your best friend. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you. So I'll see you around? Maybe you can come to the house and meet my parents? I'm pretty sure they missed you too and will be happy to know you have returned and see that you have a cute little girl. You are like family to us, and you know that, right?" Liam stated, looking intently at my daughter and me. He came close and kissed my forehead, and my daughter's as well.

He seems reluctant to leave, but Taylor is looking bored and impatient, so they went to their car, but then he stopped and turns right back and asked me.

" You know what, why don't we drop you off at your house? I mean, we practically live in the same neighborhood. We are just two houses apart, after all." He offered.

" No, it's okay, Liam, we can take a cab. I don't want to bother you or impose. We'll be fine." I declined as gently as I can, but Liam as Liam doesn't take no for an answer. Now my nervousness came back in full force.

" No, I insist, and you will not be imposing. As I've said, we live near each other it wouldn't be a bother, Bella and your daughter is tired. I know you are too from the flight. So please allow me, or Collette will skin me alive if she finds out I left you here." He insisted and even made a joke about her sister.

" Are you sure it's okay?" I asked shyly and glanced at Taylor, who is already sitting in front of the car, looking irritated.

" Yeah, of course, it is. I'd love to hear about your life this past six years." He smiled at me, making those two cute dimples come out from his cheeks. The dimples I so adored growing up and the same dimples I see every single day for the past six years.

" Okay, if you insist. I appreciate it very much," I then accepted Liam's offer, which made him very happy. He suddenly kissed my cheek and kissed Sophie's head, then took the luggage and put it in the trunk. Then, he guided Sophie and me to the back seat.

I didn't know I was holding my breath up until now. I stood frozen. What the hell just happened?! Why did he kiss Sophie and me with his girlfriend around?

Oh, f*****g hell, I shouldn't have come, but my mom needs me now, and besides, she hasn't met her grandchild yet. All she saw were pictures and constant phone calls from them. So now it's time they meet.

My mom was so devastated when I decided to run away after our graduation. I didn't tell her why at first, but I had no one but my mom for support when I got pregnant.

Now my past seems to catch up with me. The problem is, can I handle what's going to happen? Can I honestly say I'm over him when in fact, I cannot, even if I wanted to?

Every day I am reminded of that one night, one happy memory that I can keep for a lifetime. But that's what it is, a memory. He has moved on and forgotten about me, and that's obvious.