"Just confess already." Liam nearly choked on his drink.
"Are you serious?" Mark leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed.
"I mean it. It's obvious." "What is?" Liam asked, frowning.
"You like Mandy." Silence.
Liam looked away. "…Even if I do…"
Mark raised an eyebrow. "Even if?" "…What's the point?" Liam continued. "She probably likes someone else."
"The mayor?" Liam didn't answer. Mark sighed.
"Look, man. You're overthinking it." "That's easy for you to say."
"No, it's not," Mark replied. "You think I've never liked someone before?"
Liam paused. Mark leaned forward slightly.
"You'll regret it more if you say nothing." Those words hit deeper than expected.
"…And if she rejects me?" Liam asked quietly.
Mark shrugged. "Then you move on." "…Just like that?"
"No," Mark said honestly. "It'll suck." Liam let out a small breath.
"But at least," Mark added, "you won't keep wondering 'what if.'"
Silence settled between them. Liam stared down at his drink.
"What if I'm not enough?" Mark smirked.
"Then that's her loss." Liam let out a small laugh.
"…You're really confident." "Someone has to be," Mark replied.
For the first time that day—
Liam felt a little lighter.