Chapter 23: A Narrow Encounter

Allie Brooks sat at her usual corner table in the bustling cafeteria with Chloe West. They were halfway through their trays when trouble walked in wearing designer heels and a sharp smile.

“Look who it is,” Felicity Montgomery’s voice rang out as she approached, her entourage flanking her like vultures. She stopped directly in front of Allie, her perfectly manicured nails drumming on the table.

“Allie,” Felicity began, her tone oozing false concern, “how’s life as the campus charity project? It must be exhausting keeping up appearances.”

Allie didn’t flinch. “If you’re done practicing for your next villain audition, Felicity, maybe go bother someone who cares?”

Felicity’s smile sharpened. “Oh, I care. Because I heard the juiciest rumor. Are you actually dating Adam Hart, or is this another one of your delusions? Because, honey, you can’t keep playing the tragic heroine forever.”

Chloe stood abruptly, her face flushed with anger. “Back off, Felicity. Allie doesn’t owe you an explanation.”

Felicity ignored her, leaning closer to Allie. “Maybe not to me, but don’t you think Adam deserves to know the truth? Or is honesty not your strong suit?”

The cafeteria had gone silent, all eyes glued to the unfolding drama. Allie’s heart pounded, but she refused to let Felicity see her sweat.

“Felicity,” Allie said, her voice calm but cutting, “you really should get that jealousy problem checked out. It’s not a good look.”

Before Felicity could respond, a voice as smooth as velvet interrupted.

“Allie.”

The room seemed to hold its breath as Adam Hart strode in, his presence commanding every gaze. The crowd parted as he approached, his sharp blue eyes fixed on Allie.

“Adam,” Felicity said, her voice softening, her posture suddenly demure. “You won’t believe what I—”

“I believe I told you to stay out of Allie’s business,” Adam cut in coldly, his gaze never leaving Felicity.

Felicity faltered, her confidence crumbling. “I was just trying to help—”

“You’ve helped enough,” Adam said, his tone brooking no argument. He turned to Allie, his expression softening.

“Come with me. We need to talk.”

Allie hesitated, her eyes darting to Chloe, who gave her a reassuring nod. With a steadying breath, she stood and followed Adam out of the cafeteria, the whispers and stares of the other students trailing behind them.

Once outside, Adam stopped, turning to face her. “Sorry about that,” he said, his voice low. “Felicity’s out of line, as

usual.”

“Is that why you dragged me out here?” Allie snapped, crossing her arms. “To apologize for her?”

“No,” Adam said, his jaw tightening. “There’s something else. My mother wants to meet you.”

 

* * * * * * * *

 

Allie Brooks stared at Adam Hart in disbelief. "Your mother wants to meet me?" she repeated, her voice teetering between shock and dread.

Adam nodded, his expression unreadable, but his tense posture betrayed his discomfort.

"Why?" Allie pressed, crossing her arms. "I don’t even know her."

"She thinks you’re my girlfriend," Adam admitted, his voice quieter now, as though saying it out loud made it all the more absurd.

Allie froze, her stomach twisting. "What?!"

Adam’s piercing blue eyes met hers, his tone firm despite the faint blush on his cheeks. "She doesn’t believe me when I say we’re not together. You’re the first girl I’ve ever brought home."

Allie’s mind raced back to Robert Hart’s birthday banquet. Adam had dragged her along, a ploy to deflect attention and fend off Felicity Montgomery’s advances. At the time, she’d thought little of it, but now it was clear how the Hart family had interpreted things.

"Adam, you’ve got to be kidding me," Allie said, exasperated. "You need to tell her the truth. Explain it, deny it—do whatever you have to, but fix this!"

"I tried," Adam said, his voice sharpening slightly. "She doesn’t believe me."

Allie groaned, running a hand through her hair. "Then keep trying. Explain it ten times if you have to."

Adam’s gaze darkened, his expression unreadable. "You just don’t want to be associated with me, do you?"

Allie blinked, taken aback. "What? That’s not—"

"Never mind," Adam cut her off, his voice cold and clipped. "I get it."

Without waiting for her response, he turned on his heel and walked away, his shoulders stiff with tension.

"Adam!" Allie called after him, but he didn’t look back.

She stood there, stunned, the sting of his words settling over her like a cloud. Why did every interaction with Adam feel like walking a tightrope over an emotional chasm?

Shaking her head, Allie decided she needed a break. Lunch had been a bust, but the thought of a steaming bowl of beef noodles from the snack street just outside campus lifted her spirits slightly.

As she approached the school gates, however, her steps faltered.

A sleek red Ferrari was parked nearby—a car she’d recognize anywhere.

Nicholas Lawson leaned against the hood, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The sight of him smoking was jarring.

When had he picked up that habit?

He saw her immediately, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

Allie’s heart clenched, but not in the way it used to. The raw, gut-wrenching pain of their past had dulled into a distant ache. Seeing Nick now didn’t send her spiraling; it only reminded her of what once was—and what could never be again.

Nick stubbed out his cigarette and walked toward her, his movements deliberate.

"Allie," he said, his voice calm but heavy with something unspoken.

"Nick," she replied evenly, standing her ground.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the silence between them stretching like a taut wire.

"I was thinking about when we were kids," Nick began, his tone soft but laced with nostalgia. "Do you remember the diamond ring I gave you?"

Allie blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. "The one you stole from your mom?"

Nick smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "Yeah, that one."

She did remember. They had been kids—Nick just thirteen, and she ten. He’d presented the ring to her with all the seriousness of a real proposal. At the time, it had felt like the most romantic gesture in the world.

"That ring got me into so much trouble," Nick continued, his smile fading. "My parents thought I sold it. I didn’t tell them I’d given it to you. Took the beatings and the grounding without a word."

"Why?" Allie asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nick’s eyes bore into hers. "Because you were worth it."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Allie’s breath caught in her throat, her mind racing.

"Nick, I…" she began, but her words faltered.