Chapter 30
Olivia
The house felt still after Kade left, quiet in a way that made me a little too aware of the silence. I wandered into the living room, curling my legs beneath me on the couch. My phone sat on the coffee table, and before I could second-guess myself, I grabbed it and pulled up Ivy’s name.
I missed her. With everything shifting so fast, my world reshaping itself in ways I hadn’t expected, I just needed to hear her voice. The one that always grounded me.
She picked up on the third ring, warm and familiar. “Liv?”
A smile pulled at my lips before I could stop it. “Hey. Are you busy?”
“For you? Never.”
I hesitated for half a second, fingers tightening around the phone. “I need your advice.”
Ivy didn’t even pause. “Always. What’s going on?”
“I’ve… met someone,” I say, voice barely above a whisper.
There was a beat, and then her voice softened with curiosity. “Okay… I’m listening.”
“It’s Aubrey’s brother. Kade.”
Another pause, and then a surprised but amused chuckle, “Seriously?”
“I know. I didn’t mean for it to happen. But he’s… kind. He makes me laugh. He actually listens when I talk, and—” I let out a nervous laugh. “I feel like a teenager around him. I get butterflies every time I see him. It’s ridiculous.”
“It’s not ridiculous,” Ivy said gently. “It’s adorable. You sound light, Liv. Like you’re actually happy.”
“I think I am,” I said, surprised by the truth of it. “It’s just… new. And a little scary. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“You don’t need to know. That's the best part."
I took a breath, quieter this time. “I told him about Caleb.”
Her voice immediately softened. “How did he take it?”
“Like it didn’t change anything. He just held me. He listened. No judgment.”
“That’s how it should be,” Ivy said, calm and sure. “And you did the hard part, Liv. You said it out loud. That matters.”
“I wasn’t sure I could. But with him, it just felt… right.”
“I’m proud of you,” she says, and I can hear the smile behind her words. Then, after a moment: “And listen, just so you know… word going around is that Caleb’s been seeing someone. She’s got a place out of town. He spends weekends there sometimes.”
I went still. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t bring it up unless I thought it would help. But it sounds like he’s moved on, Liv. You can finally start letting yourself believe it’s really over.”
I exhaled slowly, the tension I hadn’t even realized I was holding starting to ease. “That’s… good. That’s really good.”
“It is,” Ivy says softly. “You’re free, Liv. For real this time.”
I smiled, eyes stinging just a little. “Thanks, Ivy.”
“Anytime. Now go enjoy your butterflies.”
We both laughed, and for the first time in a long time, it feels real.
After I end the call with Ivy, I head upstairs and into the bathroom, peeling off my clothes as the shower warms.
Steam begins to curl through the air, fogging up the mirror as I step inside and let the hot water pour over me. I tilt my head back, letting the heat soak into my skin.
My thoughts drift to last night.
To Kade.
The way he touched me like I was something delicate. The way he looked at me like I wasn’t broken.
And the way his breath caught—low and rough—as I brought him to the edge, his forehead pressed to mine like he didn’t want to be anywhere else.
Eventually, I turn off the water. I wrap a towel around myself and step onto the cool tile floor, steam still curling in the air like a soft veil.
I move through the hallway back into my room, taking my time getting ready.
As I pull open the wardrobe and skim my fingers along the hangers, I settle on a floaty summer dress in a pale green color. It’s light and comfortable, the kind of dress that brushes against my knees and makes me feel quietly beautiful.
I towel-dry my hair and brush it out, then gather the top section into a loose ponytail, leaving the rest to fall in soft waves down my back. It’s simple, half-up, half-down, and a little more effort than usual—but it feels right.
A touch of mascara. A hint of tinted balm. Nothing too much. Just enough.
As I catch my reflection in the mirror, something inside me settles. I look different. I barely recognize the woman staring back at me. I look happy, free. I smile back at my reflection.
Before I realize it, it’s nearly five, the familiar sound of Kade’s truck rumbles outside, and I grab my purse and phone, heart quickening as I rush downstairs.
The moment I step onto the porch, I see him climbing out of his truck.
I lock the door behind me and head his way.
He’s leaning casually against the driver's side of his truck, arms crossed over his chest, the curve of his biceps impossible to miss, and that smile, wide, easy, lights up his face when he sees me.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says, opening his arms without hesitation.
I don’t think, I just move, stepping into him as his arms wrap around me, pulling me close. He lowers his head, brushing his lips over mine. I answer without words, sliding my arms around his neck and deepening the kiss, needing him, needing this.
When I finally pull back, breathless, I rest my forehead against his chest, trying to steady the rush of my heartbeat.
Kade presses a kiss to the top of my head before tilting my chin up, his thumb gentle beneath my jaw.
“You look amazing, by the way,” he cooed, eyes warm and unguarded.
Heat floods my cheeks, something that seems to happen far too easily around him now.
“You ready?” he asks, offering his hand.
I slip mine into his, letting him guide me toward the passenger side of the truck.
He opens the door for me, waiting until I’m settled and buckled before he rounds to the driver’s side.
As he pulls away from the curb, his hand finds my thigh, his touch grounding, steady, and effortless, and I don’t even try to stop the small smile that tugs at my lips.