Deal or No Deal.

Olivia

Something doesn't feel right. But I can't tell what it is. There's an unsettling feeling in my gut I try to ignore.

Why does this stranger want to know everything about my ex-fiance? Who is he?

“But why?”

I study his eyes carefully as my suspicion grows.

“Why do you want revenge?”

He grins when I stay mute.

“Great. We have a deal then?” he continues.

“Yes, we do.”

“Alright, a quick run down, I pretend to be in a relationship with you while in return, you give me useful information on him.”

“Yes,” I breathe. Almost regretting this already. His lips widened into a full smile.

“So do we shake or….”

I grimace.

“No, we don't have to.”

He retracts his stretched arm and face it up in defeat.

“Alright…alright.”

“We need to set rules so none of us gets carried away,” I say.

“I'm listening.” he takes another sip of the coke.

“You can't flirt with any other lady. Especially when we're together.”

“But what if they flirt with me?” he grins.

I hate his eyes. They are grey and seductive as they bore into mine.

“Walk away?”

He laughs. It's short but infectious. You can see the way his eyes light up.

“Okay okay.”

He leans closer to the table and I do the same when he motions a finger, pulling my attention closer.

“Do we still get to kiss and have sex?” he whispers.

I pull back too quickly. Irritated a little.

“No…no…we don't get to.” I remind myself the sex we had was only a one-time thing. No matter how good it felt.

His lips curve downward as he pouts.

“Can't handle it?”

“Not with when I get to see you often.”

His words leave a lump in my throat and flutter in my chest.

Words shouldn't be able to do that right?

“You won't. We'll only act the part when it's necessary.”

“Now, that's sad.”

I flip my hair over my shoulder. My breath hitches when his fingers graze my cheeks.

“Relax, daisy,” he smiles. His finger moves away a loose strand out of my face. “There.”

I swallow a hard gulp.

“That should be all,” I say, avoiding his eyes as I prepare myself to leave.

“Hey, not so fast, beautiful. I've got my own rules.”

He has mischief in his eyes as he taps his fingers lightly on the glass.

“I'm all ears,” I reply reluctantly.

“You.” He points a finger at me. “don't get to fall in love with me.”

I scoff.

“You wish. I don't even like you.”

“Great! Neither of us can fall in love with the other so things don't get messy when this,” he gestures with his hand. “Ends.”

“Worry about yourself,” I blurt.

“You should have seen yourself begging me to marry you,” he retorts, playfully. I hate his stupid laugh too.

I mouth a curse with my middle finger raised in his face.

“Gladly,” he grins and winks at me.

It makes me furious. All of him.

He sees my expression and laughs softly.

God, I hate him already.

“I love seeing you this-”

“Olivia?” a high-pitched voice settles beside us, cutting him off. It's familiar.

“Emma.”

I stand to my feet and pull her into a hug. Finally, an excuse to get away from him. I called her earlier to get some drinks with me in case the stranger didn't show up.

Emma pulls herself away after a moment and stares at the stranger. Her eyes narrow on him.

“I remember you,” she says.

“And how could I ever forget a beautiful face as yours.”

The stranger takes her hand and places a kiss on it. I scoff silently and roll my eyes. Maybe a bit too hard.

“What are you doing here?” Emma asks, moving her gaze from his to mine.

“He was just about to leave,” I blurt out before he gets to speak. He takes the cue and stands to his feet.

“Yes, I am about to leave. It was great meeting you-”

“Emma,” she says.

“Emma and Olivia,” he nods politely. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

He begins to walk away when Emma stops him in his tracks.

“I didn't get your name.”

Oh fuck! I didn't even remember to ask.

“It's Liam.”

“Bye Liam,” Emma smiles. His eyes move to mine for a second before he walks away.

I let out a breath I had no idea I was holding back. Those eyes.

“What's with the both of you? How do you know him?” Emma asks as she settles on the stool Liam just got off.

I take my glass and gulp the last drop of coke.

“It's nothing,” I shrug.

“Well, that didn't look like nothing.”

Knowing Emma, she won't give this up easily. I rarely hide anything from her but it just doesn't feel right yet.

“I'll explain later. It doesn't matter now.”

She stares at me for a few seconds in silence. Her eyes searching mine for an answer. But she drops it.

“Tell me, how did things with Asher go?”