Chapter 7: Playing with Fire

Olivia’s POV

“Cold water! Now!” Lily shoved me into the bathroom, slapping the light switch on.

I didn’t even argue. I leaned over the sink, scooping ice-cold water into my hands and slapping it onto my burning cheeks. My reflection in the mirror looked insane—puffy red eyes, smudged mascara, and a face as pale as a sheet.

“Pat your face dry, put on some lip gloss, and breathe!” Lily barked from the doorway, her hands flying around like she was conducting an orchestra. “I’m putting the wine away and wiping down the counter!”

I grabbed a towel, dabbing my face as fast as I could. “Lily, my chest feels like it’s going to explode.”

“You’re fine! Just pretend you were laughing so hard you cried!” she whispered frantically, rushing back toward the kitchen.

Five seconds later, the front door unlocked.

“Hey, ladies!” Ethan called out cheerfully, walking in with his jacket draped over his arm. He looked completely relaxed, smiling as he kicked off his dress shoes. “Smells like Thai food in here.”

I stepped out of the bathroom, forcing the biggest, fake-est smile onto my face. “Hey, babe! How was the meeting?”

Ethan walked over, wrapped his arms around my waist, and kissed my forehead. “Long and boring. But seeing you makes it better.” He pulled back, looking at Lily, who was standing by the stove holding a wooden spoon like a weapon. “Hey, Lil. Thanks for keeping Liv company.”

“Oh, you know me!” Lily laughed, though her voice sounded totally strained and high-pitched. She darted a quick, sharp look at me before glaring at the wall. “Just making sure my sister doesn’t run away before the big day!”

Ethan chuckled, completely missing the weird vibe in the room. “No chance of that. By the way, Liv, Finn had a great idea at dinner. Noah’s structural firm is going to help us review the building permits for the new downtown project. Which means Noah’s going to be working with us pretty much every day until the wedding!”

My heart dropped straight into my shoes. “Every day?”

“Yep!” Ethan grinned, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. “Isn’t that awesome? My best friend and my future wife, all working together.”

Lily caught my eye from across the island. She tapped her wrist twice—our secret code for we are talking about this the second we get a chance.

“Awesome,” I managed to choke out. “Just… awesome.”

---

The next morning at six-thirty, the morning air in Soho was freezing. I stood outside a small, quiet coffee shop two blocks from my studio, hugging my heavy coat around myself.

A tall figure stepped out of the fog, wearing a dark jacket with his hands shoved in his pockets.

Noah.

My blood boiled the second I saw him. I grabbed his arm, pulling him into the dark alleyway beside the café before he could even open his mouth.

“Are you completely out of your mind?!” I hissed, glaring up at him.

Noah blinked, startled by my grip. “Olivia? What are you talking about?”

“The text message, Noah!” I practically growled, my voice trembling with rage. “You texted my phone talking about… about what happened at the estate! Lily saw it!”

Noah’s face drained of color. “What? Lily read it?”

“Yes! She picked up my phone right when it popped up on the screen!” I stomped my foot, tears of frustration stinging my eyes. “I had to tell her everything! Do you have any idea how close I came to ruining everything last night?!”

Noah let out a long breath, running a hand through his dark hair. “Olivia, I’m sorry. I swear I am. But I was losing my mind. You left the studio yesterday looking like you were about to faint, and you didn’t answer my calls. I just needed to know if you were okay.”

“I am not okay!” I cried softly, leaning my head against the cold brick wall. “Ethan told me last night that you’re working on his new project. You’re going to be around us every single day!”

Noah stepped closer, his shadow falling over me. His dark eyes softened, filled with a messy mix of guilt and longing. “I didn’t ask for the project, Liv. Ethan pushed it on me. But I can’t just say no without him getting suspicious.”

“We can’t keep doing this,” I whispered, looking up at him. “It’s killing me.”

Noah reached out, his warm fingers brushing gently against my jaw. “It’s killing me too,” he murmured, his voice rough. “Seeing you smile at him, watching him touch you… it’s driving me crazy.”

I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch for one weak second before pulling away. “Don’t. Just… don't text me again. Please.”

---

By seven o'clock that evening, the formal dining room at the Cole family estate was glowing with golden chandelier light.

Grace Cole had organized an intimate pre-wedding dinner for both families. The long mahogany table was set with fancy china, sparkling crystal glasses, and silver cutlery.

I sat near the middle of the table, wearing a burgundy velvet dress. Ethan sat on my left, holding my hand under the white tablecloth. Sitting directly across from me was Noah.

To make matters ten times worse, Lily was sitting right next to Noah.

The entire dinner was a total nightmare. Every time Noah took a sip of his wine or passed a dish, Lily glares at him with one eye narrowed, practically drilling a hole into the side of his head with her intense sisterly hatred. She looked so tense she was practically vibrating.

When Noah reached for the bread basket, Lily snatched it away first, giving him a look that clearly said, Touch my sister again and I’ll break your fingers.

Noah coughed awkwardly, clearing his throat and looking down at his plate.

“So, Noah,” Grace Cole said loudly from the head of the table, smiling brightly. “Ethan tells us you’re helping out with the new real estate permits! It’s so wonderful to have Ethan’s best man so involved in our family affairs.”

“It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Cole,” Noah said politely, his voice smooth and professional.

Underneath the long, heavy tablecloth, my knees were trembling. I shifted in my seat, trying to put space between myself and the table frame.

Suddenly, a warm weight brushed against my knee.

I froze. Noah’s knee had slid against mine under the table.

I shot a quick glance up at him, expecting him to pull back and apologize. But Noah didn’t move. His dark eyes met mine across the candles, intense, fierce, and completely unbothered.

My breath caught in my throat. I tried to pull my leg back, but his leg moved with mine, his broad frame crowding me under the hidden darkness of the tablecloth. Then, his large hand slid off his lap, his warm fingers lightly resting right above my knee, sending a bolt of pure electricity straight through my body.

Is he insane?! My heart hammered wildly against my ribs.

Lily, noticing my sudden stiff posture, shot me a worried look from beside Noah. She squinted her eyes, trying to figure out why my face had just turned beet red.

Suddenly, Ethan clinked his spoon against his champagne glass, standing up beside me.

“Everyone, if I could have your attention for a moment,” Ethan said, his voice bursting with pride and joy.

Noah’s hand instantly retreated from my leg under the table, sliding back up into his lap like nothing had happened. My skin was practically burning where he had touched me.

“I want to make a special toast to my gorgeous bride-to-be,” Ethan said, smiling down at me affectionately. He reached down with his right hand, searching for my hand in my lap to pull me up beside him. “Olivia, you have brought so much light and order into my life. I can’t wait to marry you in twelve short days.”

Everyone around the table clapped and cheered. My mom was dabbing her eyes with a napkin, while Grace smiled approvingly.

Ethan squeezed my hand, turning to his mother. “And speaking of the wedding, Mom, you said you had a surprise for us?”

“Oh, yes!” Grace announced, rising from her chair with a grand, dramatic flourish. “Since everything is going so smoothly, I decided to move the rehearsal dinner up! Instead of next week, the entire bridal party will be staying together at the Hudson Valley estate starting this Friday!”

My blood turned to ice.

This Friday?! That was two days away!

I looked across the table. Noah’s jaw had gone completely slack, his dark eyes wide with shock. Beside him, Lily gasped out loud, her eyes darting between me and Noah in total panic.

“Isn’t that wonderful?” Ethan beamed, pulling me into a tight side-hug. “A whole weekend locked away at the estate with our favorite people!”

I forced a smile onto my face, but as my eyes met Noah’s burning gaze across the candlelight, I knew one thing for certain:

If we got trapped at that estate together again for an entire weekend, my secret wasn't going to stay a secret for long.