One afternoon, Emma and Jaxon were deep in conversation with Rachel about Emma's father's project when a sleek, black car pulled up to the curb. The vehicle was out of place in Ravenswood, and Emma noticed it immediately.
As they watched, a tall, dark-haired man stepped out of the car. Emma's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized him.
"Liam?" she asked, her voice incredulous.
Liam smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Emma! Long time no see."
Jaxon's expression turned guarded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed Liam. Rachel, on the other hand, seemed delighted by the arrival, her eyes lighting up with interest.
As Liam approached, Emma felt a mix of emotions. She hadn't seen Liam since high school, and she hadn't expected to run into him here.
"Liam, what are you doing here?" Emma asked, trying to sound casual.
Liam's smile grew wider. "I'm here to work with you, actually. On the factory fire case."
Jaxon's eyes snapped to Emma, his expression questioning, Who is Liam? And how did he know about the factory fire?. Rachel, meanwhile, seemed thrilled that Emma had company, her eyes darting between Jaxon and Liam with interest.
*****
As Emma filled Liam in on the case, Jaxon's eyes never left Liam's face. His expression was neutral, but Emma could sense the tension emanating from him.
"So, Liam, what makes you think you can help with this 'case'?" Jaxon asked, his voice laced with skepticism.
Liam smiled easily, but Emma noticed a flicker of awareness in his eyes. "I've been working with the police department on similar cases. I think my expertise could be valuable here."
Jaxon's gaze lingered on Liam, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm sure it would be...valuable."
Emma intervened, sensing the tension. "Jaxon, let's focus on the case. Liam's help could be exactly what we need."
As they discussed the case, Rachel's eyes kept drifting to Jaxon. She seemed fascinated by him, and Emma noticed the way she leaned in when he spoke.
"You're so smart, Jaxon," Rachel said, her voice flirtatious. "I don't know how you keep up with all this." She said while discreetly rubbing her b**bs on his arm.
Jaxon's expression remained neutral, but Emma sensed a hint of discomfort. He wasn't interested in Rachel's flirting, and Emma felt a pang of satisfaction.
Liam, meanwhile, watched the exchange with interest. He seemed to be sizing up the dynamics between the three of them.
***
As the discussion continued, Jaxon's suspicion turned into open hostility. He questioned Liam's every move, his tone growing increasingly confrontational.
"I still don't see why we need your help, Liam," Jaxon said, his voice low and even. "We've been doing just fine without you."
Liam's expression remained calm, but Emma noticed a flash of annoyance in his eyes. "I'm here to help, Jaxon. Let's focus on the case."
Despite Jaxon's hostility, Liam's expertise proved invaluable. He brought a fresh perspective to the case, and his knowledge of forensic analysis helped them uncover new clues.
As they pored over the evidence, Liam's insights shed new light on the case. "I think we're looking at a deliberate act of arson," he said, his eyes scanning the data.
Emma's eyes widened. "That's what I've been thinking, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it."
Jaxon's expression remained skeptical, but even he couldn't deny the evidence.
As they worked together, Emma and Liam grew closer. They shared a similar sense of humor, and their banter was easy and natural. Liam found himself enjoying Emma's company, and he couldn't help but notice the way she smiled when she was passionate about something.
But Liam's attention was also drawn to the tension between Emma and Jaxon. He sensed a deep history between them, and he wondered what had driven them apart. Jaxon's hostility towards him was palpable, and Liam couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement. He'd always been confident in his abilities, and he wasn't intimidated by Jaxon's aggression.
As for Rachel, Liam found her antics both amusing and annoying. She was clearly interested in Jaxon, but her approach was all wrong. Liam had a feeling that Jaxon wasn't interested, and he wondered why Rachel couldn't see the obvious signs.
Liam noticed the way Jaxon's eyes lingered on Emma, the way his expression softened when he thought no one was looking. Liam wondered if Jaxon still had feelings for Emma, and if so, what that meant for their working relationship.
Liam also noticed the way Emma seemed to light up when she was talking about the case. She was passionate and driven, and Liam found himself drawn to her energy. He wondered if she felt the same way about him, or if she was still caught up in her feelings for Jaxon.
...