5. OLIVIA
CHAPTER 5
OLIVIA
I flop down on Heather’s couch, the old, worn fabric sagging beneath me. Her tiny apartment feels more like a cozy art studio than a living space, with mismatched throw pillows, shelves full of books, and paintings leaning against every wall. Most of them are half-finished projects of hers, and they’re stacked precariously, as if a strong breeze might send them toppling over. A warm, orange glow from the floor lamp makes the place feel snug, especially now that it’s dark outside.
And then there’s Clawdia, the chubby tabby cat, perched on the arm of the couch. She’s staring at me with her usual disdain, like she’s judging me for even existing in her space. I scratch behind her ear, and she rewards me with a begrudging purr.
I pick up my phone and hit dial. Heather answers on the first ring.
“Hey! What’s up?”
“Hey,” I say. “I’m good.”
“How’s Clawdia doing? Have you fed her?” she asks.
“Yes, I’ve fed the queen,” I say, rolling my eyes. “But that’s not why I called.”
“Good, because if she’s hungry, she’ll start biting your ankles,” Heather says, laughing.
I take a deep breath. “So, I need your take on something.”
“Uh-oh, that sounds serious,” Heather says, her tone shifting to mock concern. “Lay it on me.”
I pull the phone away for a second, staring at the ceiling. Here goes nothing. “So… I kind of agreed to do an episode for a WeTube channel.”
There’s a beat of silence. “Wait, like an interview or something? What kind of channel is this?”
“It’s called Love Lab,” I explain. “They do these weird social experiments—dating, relationship stuff.”
Another pause. “Hold up,” Heather says slowly. “That’s my brother’s channel.”
“Yeah, I know,” I say.
“I know what they do there. Are you telling me you’re going to be dating someone on camera?”
“Man,” I correct quickly. “Just one guy, for one episode. It’s not like I’m signing up for The Bachelor here.”
“But why?” Heather’s voice is somewhere between confusion and disbelief. “You hate those kinds of things! And I’ve seen some of the videos. It’s cringe, to say the least.”
I don’t admit it but I found it quirky.
Ugh. I sigh and lean back, staring up at the ceiling fan that’s spinning lazily. “Yeah, but the channel needs a boost, and they think this will help. Plus, if it doesn’t get views, I’m out. No second date, no problem.”
“And what happens if it does get views?” Heather asks pointedly. “Will you still be working with them?”
“Kind of?” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m helping them figure out how to boost revenue, so… maybe.”
“Liv, tell me this isn’t about Ethan,” Heather says, her voice dropping to a serious tone.
I cover my eyes with my hand, letting out a small groan. “How come you never mentioned that my college crush lives in your apartment complex? Was that a deliberate omission, or did you just forget?”
“Must have slipped my mind,” Heather says lightly, but I can hear the mischief in her voice. “Pure coincidence.”
“Yeah, right.” I scoff, stroking Clawdia as she nudges against my hand. “You didn’t set this up, did you?”
“Me? Setting you up with a guy you’ve had a crush on since college? Liv, I would never,” she says, and I can practically see her grin through the phone.
“Uh-huh.” I arch an eyebrow, even though she can’t see it. “You’re a terrible liar.”
“Okay, fine,” Heather admits, laughing. “I knew there was a chance you might run into each other. I just… didn’t think it would be this soon. Or that you’d end up agreeing to date on camera.”
“Neither did I,” I say, exasperated. “But it’s not like I have anything better to do, and they could really use the help. Besides, it’s just one date.”
“And if you end up spending more time around Ethan?” Heather prompts gently.
I hesitate, looking out the window at the familiar skyline of our hometown. “I don’t know. Maybe it’ll be good to catch up with him. He’s different now, but he’s still the same in some ways.”
“You mean he’s still cute,” Heather teases.
I roll my eyes. “Shut up.”
“You’ve got enough going on with your company as it is. You hate dating, and you hate anything that’s not private. This is, like, the exact opposite of what you usually go for,” she says.
“I know,” I say quietly. “But maybe that’s why I need it. It’s something different, something… unexpected. And honestly? I kind of like the idea of shaking things up a bit.”
“You’re hopeless,” Heather says, but there’s a smile in her voice. “Just promise me you won’t get too caught up in it. Ethan’s great, but he’s still… you know, Ethan. ”
“Trust me, I haven’t forgotten,” I say, laughing a little. “But maybe this is what I need right now. Something crazy.”
“Well,” Heather says, sighing, “if anyone can handle a little crazy, it’s you, Liv. And hey, my brother will be there, so that’s a relief. Do you want me to talk to him?”
“No, no, I can handle it,” I say hastily.
Clawdia decides she’s had enough of my presence and jumps off the couch, heading toward her food bowl. I watch her go, feeling oddly in sync with the cat—reluctantly curious about what might happen next.
“Besides,” I add, smiling, “if this goes horribly wrong, at least I’ll have Clawdia to console me.”
“Oh yeah, she’s a real comfort,” Heather laughs. “As long as you don’t mind getting swatted in the face when she’s done with you.”
“Perfect,” I say dryly. “Exactly what I need.”
“Good luck, Liv,” Heather says warmly. “And seriously—have fun with it. Who knows? This might be the best bad idea you’ve ever had.”
“Let’s hope so,” I mutter as I hang up, staring at the ceiling and wondering just what kind of mess I’ve gotten myself into.
The rooftop cafe is bathed in warm, golden light. It’s one of those unexpectedly perfect afternoons—clear blue skies, the kind that makes you forget your troubles for a moment. A light breeze sweeps through the space, rustling the potted plants and fluttering the white curtains that section off our little area. It’s cute, I’ll give them that, arranged courtesy of Jax’s connections. We have this place for a few hours.
I’m already seated, nursing a sparkling water, trying not to chew off all my nails. The view of the city sprawls out below, but I’m too jittery to appreciate it. My eyes dart toward the entrance, where Ethan and Marcus are crouched a few feet away, fiddling with the camera equipment. They’re talking in hushed tones, discussing angles and logistics. Ethan flashes me a quick thumbs-up and a grin, while Marcus just stares. It’s disarming.
I hate that I agreed to this, but here I am—waiting to meet some stranger for the entertainment of a bunch of online viewers. Maybe this isn’t such a great idea, I think, tapping my fingers on the table.
And then Jax slides into the seat next to me, like he owns the place. He’s tall, with sun-kissed skin, the kind that speaks of long hours outdoors. His dark hair falls in tousled waves, and there’s a scruff on his jaw that looks like it was made to be stroked. He’s got this easy, laid-back confidence like a guy who’s never once doubted his appeal.
“Hey,” he says, giving me a lopsided grin that could melt the ice off a winter’s day. His eyes, a striking shade of hazel, crinkle at the corners when he smiles. “You look nervous. Don’t worry. The first date is always the hardest.”
I laugh, mostly at myself. “Oh yeah? Is that the title of today’s episode? Guy gets surprised by a big woman or something?” I throw it out casually, but I watch his reaction closely. This is usually the part where people get all flustered, stumbling over themselves with awkward, patronizing reassurances like, Oh, I don’t see size, or worse, You’re not that big.
But Jax doesn’t even flinch. He leans back in his chair, stretching out his long legs like he’s settling in for a chat. “Nah,” he says, his voice smooth and teasing. “If I were writing the episode title, it’d be something like, Guy gets outclassed by a gorgeous woman with Stunning Eyes and a Better Sense of Humor. But hey, that’s just me.”
I blink at him, caught off guard. That was... not the response I expected. I feel a smile tugging at the corner of my lips despite myself. “Smooth,” I say, arching an eyebrow. “I guess you’re good at these sorts of things.”
“I’d like to think so. But you’re not making it easy.”
“Well, you’re definitely better at this than most,” I admit, feeling a rush of unexpected warmth in my chest. It’s been a long time since someone has flirted with me without that hint of hesitation or pity. With Jax, it feels different—like he’s genuinely enjoying himself, like he actually sees me.
“Good to know,” Jax says, settling back in his seat with a satisfied grin. He folds his arms over his chest, and I can’t help but notice the definition in his biceps.
Ethan and Marcus are still fiddling with the equipment a few feet away, but I catch Marcus glancing over at us with a slightly bemused expression.
“So,” Jax says, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “How are you feeling about all this? Nervous about being on camera, or just nervous about the date part?”
I take a sip of my sparkling water, rolling the cool liquid over my tongue as I consider his question. “A little bit of both,” I admit. “I’m not really used to this whole... public dating thing.”
Jax tilts his head, studying me with a thoughtful expression. “Yeah, I get that,” he says. “It’s not exactly the easiest way to meet someone. But look on the bright side—you get a free coffee out of it. And if the guy’s a total loser, at least you’ve got me here to keep you company.”
I laugh, and the sound is surprising, even to me. “You’re really confident, aren’t you?”
He flashes me another one of those charming, lopsided grins. “I’m just trying to make sure you have a good time, Liv,” he says, and there’s something in the way he says my name—like he’s already decided we’re friends, or maybe something more.
“You know,” he says, lowering his voice like he’s letting me in on a secret, “if I’d known someone gorgeous like you was staying at my sister’s place, I would’ve found an excuse to drop by a whole lot sooner.”
I nearly choke on my sparkling water. Okay, yeah, this guy is definitely flirting with me. I raise an eyebrow, giving him a look that’s half-amused, half-skeptical. “You always talk like this to women you just met?” I ask, trying to sound casual, even though I can feel the warmth creeping up my neck.
Jax grins, leaning back in his chair with a lazy confidence. “Only the ones who look like they deserve a little extra attention,” he says, his gaze sweeping over me like he’s genuinely appreciating what he sees. And unlike most people, there’s no hesitation or discomfort when he looks at me. It’s like he’s just... enjoying himself.
I’m about to fire back with a snarky comment of my own when Marcus suddenly appears beside our table, his expression pinched with irritation. He looks between us, and I swear his gaze lingers a fraction longer on the space between me and Jax, like he’s reading the room and not liking what he sees.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Marcus says, his tone flat, clearly not in the mood for whatever vibe Jax and I have going on. “But I’ve got some bad news.”
Jax’s grin falters, and he sits up straighter. “What’s going on?” he asks, his flirty demeanor shifting into something more serious.
Marcus sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose before meeting my eyes. “The date we had lined up for you,” he says, his voice laced with frustration, “he canceled last minute. Apparently, he got cold feet.”
I blink, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief wash over me. “Cold feet?” I echo. “Did he realize he’d actually have to show up and, you know, have a conversation?”
“Seems like it,” Marcus mutters, casting a pointed look toward Ethan, who’s fiddling with the camera gear with a grim expression. “We’re trying to find a replacement, but it looks like we might be out of luck today.”
Jax leans back in his chair, casting me a sidelong glance. “Well, that’s a damn shame,” he says, his voice light, but there’s a glint of something more in his eyes. “Guess I’ll have to step in and save the day. Unless you’re too disappointed, Liv?”
He’s teasing, but there’s an edge to it—a challenge almost. I feel a reluctant smile tug at my lips. “You know, Jax,” I say slowly, “you might just be the backup plan I didn’t know I needed.”
Marcus rolls his eyes, clearly not amused by the turn this conversation has taken. “This isn’t a joke, Jax,” he says sharply. “We’re already on thin ice here. We can’t afford any more screw-ups, especially not on the first episode.”
Jax just shrugs, looking unbothered. “Relax, Marcus,” he says, giving me a wink. “I’ve got this. And besides, how bad could it really be?”
I catch the look Marcus shoots him—a mix of exasperation and something else I can’t quite place. It’s almost like... jealousy? The thought surprises me, but I push it aside.
“Well,” I say, folding my arms and smiling at them both, “since it looks like my date isn’t showing up, I guess I’ve got no choice but to let you two entertain me instead.”
“Hey, don’t start the party without me,” Ethan calls out, jogging up to our table with his easy grin, completely oblivious to the tension between Jax and Marcus. He drops into the chair next to me, his knee brushing mine. I feel a spark zip up my leg, and I’m starting to think I might be in over my head here.
I raise an eyebrow, looking from one handsome face to the next. “Oh, fantastic,” I deadpan, waving a hand between them. “Looks like I’ve got three dates now. This day just keeps getting better and better.”
Marcus tries to look serious, but I can see the hint of amusement in his eyes. On the other hand, Jax gives me a slow, teasing smile, like he’s up for the challenge. “What can I say, Liv?” he says. “You’re in high demand.”
Before I can respond, the waitress appears with a tray full of food. “Here you go,” she says cheerily, setting down plates of sliders, fries, and a colorful assortment of appetizers. The spread looks amazing, but it’s clear she’s a little confused, her eyes flicking over the three guys surrounding me. “Uh, is everyone here, or…?”
“Yep, we’re all here,” Ethan says quickly, flashing her a grin that could probably charm a statue. “Might as well stay for this,” he adds, turning to me with a wink. “I mean, it’d be a crime to waste good food.”
Jax smirks, grabbing a slider off the plate and taking a big bite. “Hear, hear,” he says, his mouth half-full. “Besides, it’s not like Olivia came all this way just to leave hungry.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Well, I guess I don’t have a choice then.”
Jax notices, too. He leans in, his voice dropping just a bit. “You look good when you smile, Liv,” he says softly, and it sounds genuine like he actually means it.
I blink at him, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “Careful, Jax,” I reply, trying to sound casual. “You keep that up, and people might start thinking you’re flirting with me.”
He tilts his head, pretending to consider it. “Maybe I am,” he says with a wink.
Marcus rolls his eyes, clearly done with Jax’s antics. “Focus, Casanova,” he says dryly. “We still need to figure out what the hell we’re doing here now that the original date bailed.”
I glance over at Ethan, half-hoping he’ll say something flirty or at least look at me like Jax does. But he’s too busy scribbling notes on a napkin, deep in thought, his brows furrowed in concentration.
I swallow down the tiny knot of disappointment, pasting on a bright smile instead. “Well, whatever we do,” I say, raising my glass in a mock toast, “at least the food’s good. And if nothing else, I’m glad I get to hang out with you three.”
Ethan glances up then, his eyes meeting mine, and for just a second, there’s something there—something warm and almost... fond? But then it’s gone, replaced by his usual easygoing smile.
“Same here, Liv,” he says, raising his glass to clink it against mine. “Same here.”