Chapter 5 Rina
Rina
The second I have a free moment, I fire off a message in the group chat.
Me: Any chance we can meet at Lakeshore Sweets? It’s urgent.
Lilah: On my way.
Callie: Already here. Coffee and carbs waiting.
Sloane: Consider my interest piqued.
My legs are still unsteady by the time I leave the arena.
Damn Oliver for pulling me into the equipment room and touching me until I came apart and pretty much forgot my own name. And then he’d just sauntered out the door like it was nothing.
I should hate him.
But the truth is, I don’t.
What I actually hate is the way my body hums with the memory of him.
I shove those disturbing thoughts aside before they can take root and do permanent damage.
Lakeshore Sweets is only a few blocks from the rink, and right now I need carbs, caffeine, and an intervention before I make another mistake.
The bell above the door jingles as I step inside.
This place has always been my reset button.
Behind the counter, Callie lines up macarons with surgeon-level precision while Sloane finishes up with a customer.
Lilah waves from the corner booth, one hand smoothing over her tiny baby bump in a gesture that’s as protective as it is automatic. She glows like bottled-up sunlight.
I’m happy for her.
She deserves every bit of the joy she’s found.
I slide into the seat beside her and do my best to pretend I’m not falling apart inside. A minute later, Callie and Sloane join us, balancing cups and a plate of baked treats that smell like absolute heaven.
Once everyone is seated, they turn their attention to me. When I don’t immediately blurt out what’s going on, Sloane tips her head, curiosity filling her eyes.
Callie nudges a buttery croissant my way. “All right. Talk.”
Lilah’s hand finds mine. “What happened? We’re dying to know what this is about.”
The question makes my throat constrict, and I drop my gaze, staring into my coffee as the steam fogs my vision. “I was in a meeting with Evelyn when—”
I stop.
Just thinking his name sends a tremor down my spine.
When the hell did that start?
My three friends remain quiet, patiently waiting for me to continue.
When I’m unable to find the right words, Lilah says, “You look flushed.” She watches me over her mug. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I tug at my collar. “Just a little warm from the walk over.”
Sloane leans back, skepticism filling her expression. “It’s early November in Chicago. Try again. What happened? Did Hot Hugh finally barge in and confess his undying love for Evelyn?”
Lilah coughs, nearly spilling her tea. “OMG, that is never going to happen.”
“Please.” Sloane grins. “Those two are one argument away from a full-blown detonation. And let me tell you something—I am here for it.”
Callie props her chin on her hand. “Is that what it is? Did something happen between Hugh and Evelyn?”
“Well…” I hedge. “He did interrupt our meeting this morning.”
Sloane’s eyes gleam. “Go on, tell us more. Actually, tell us everything. And don’t you dare leave one dirty detail out.”
Lilah waves her off. “Evelyn would rather strangle that man than… well, just about anything else.”
Sloane smirks. “Oh, she’d wrap something around him, all right, but it’s not her hands.”
Lilah groans. “You’re so bad.”
“Totally accurate,” Sloane says without missing a beat.
Callie claps once, the movement decisive. “Focus, ladies. Back to Rina.”
When three expectant faces turn toward me again, my stomach knots.
What I have with Oliver isn’t a relationship.
It’s a disaster wrapped in chemistry.
He’s more like a ticking bomb with great abs.
“I don’t know where to start,” I mumble, unsure how to tell them that I’ve been sleeping with Oliver Van Doren for the past two months.
“How about at the beginning?” Sloane’s tone is all sugary sweet.
It’s the kind of sweet that usually precedes a homicide.
All I can say is that the woman has been binging way too many true crime podcasts before bed.
“Did something happen at work? Another PR nightmare to clean up?” Callie’s fingers brush over mine.
“No.” A tiny flutter ripples through my body. “It’s not about work.”
The three of them exchange lingering looks, and it makes me want to disappear, but I need to get this out.
“I’ve been hooking up with someone,” I admit.
They all freeze.
“Do we know him?” Callie asks carefully.
“Nope.” The lie slips out way too easily. “It’s just a random guy with great banter.”
Sloane narrows her eyes. “Is this the same guy you mentioned a few weeks ago?”
Crap.
Callie laughs as Lilah smiles behind her cup. Sloane looks seconds away from dragging me into a small room and interrogating me under a spotlight.
Before I can backpedal, my phone buzzes.
Then a second time.
Against my better judgment, I peek at the screen.
Big D: Have I mentioned how much I like the taste of you on my lips?
Big D: Next time, I’m not stopping until you scream my name. And I don’t give a damn who hears.
Heat floods through me as my hand slips on the cup and I nearly drop my drink.
Sloane leans over, catching a glimpse of the screen before cackling. “I’m sorry, does that actually say Big D?”
“Maybe,” I mutter.
“Oh, honey.” A slow grin overtakes her face before it turns wolfish. “There’s no maybe about it. The only question is… Who’s Big D?”
Lilah’s brows climb as Callie bites her lip, shoulders shaking. More than anything, I want to sink through the floor. This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have brought it up.
“Is this someone you actually like?” Callie asks.
“Absolutely not,” I shoot back. “It’s just—”
“Great banter?” Lilah supplies.
I clamp my lips together. “It’s nothing serious. Just a distraction.”
Sloane arches a brow. “And yet, here you are, practically vibrating while Big D lights up your phone.”
She’s not wrong.
And that’s the problem.
“Are you sure there’s nothing more to it?” Lilah asks, gentle but knowing. Almost as if she can see right through my lies.
“Nope.” The smile I force feels brittle around the edges. “Honestly, I think it’s already run its course.”
By the looks on their faces, none of them are buying it.
“Anyway…” I clear my throat before quickly changing the subject. “The auction’s this weekend. You should have seen the way Oliver was sulking about it. He’s going to positively squirm on stage.”
“I can’t wait to watch,” Sloane says with a laugh.
“I bet Oliver will go for the highest bid,” Lilah adds.
My brows snap together as I frown. “You really think so?”
Three gazes pin me in place as more heat crawls up my neck.
My phone vibrates again. It’s a steady and relentless onslaught against the tabletop.
Unable to take another second, I flip the slim device face down.
But the noise continues to reverberate through the wood until my pulse kicks into a frantic tempo.
One that somehow echoes my core, even though he got me off just a few hours ago.
That’s the moment I realize how screwed I am.
Even worse than that?
I have no idea what to do about it.