Chapter 237

Olivia
“You’re overthinking.” Emilia said gently. “Which you do when you’re stressed. What’s really bothering you?
“Work’s been intense. The Thompson project is huge, and I’m terrified of screwing it up.”
“You’re not going to screw it up. You’re brilliant at what you do.”
“And there’s this dinner thing at the estate this weekend with Alexander’s family. I took another sip. “His grandfather wants to have a conversation about the marriage”
Emilia winced. “Yikes. That sounds ominous.”
“Right? Like, what kind of conversation? Are they suspicious? Did someone say something?”
Emilia reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “You’re spiraling. Take a breath.
I did, letting the air out slowly.
“Better?”
“A little.”
“Good. Now listen to me. You married Alexander Carter, one of the most powerful men in LA. People are going to talk. His family is going to ask questions. Random business acquaintances are going to pop up at bars because that’s how this world works.” She squeezed my hand again. “But none of that means anything’s wrong.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. I’m always right.” She grinned. “Now drink your wine and tell me something good. Anything. Make me feel better about my own boring life.”
I laughed despite myself. “Your life isn’t boring.”
“Please. I had cereal for dinner three nights in a row this week because I was too lazy to cook.”
“That’s not boring, that’s efficient.”
We talked for another hour, finishing our drinks and ordering water when the wine started making us giggly. Emilia caught me up on office gossip from her company, and I shared sanitized versions of my project progress.
“You’re really killing it at work,” Emilia said, her expression turning serious. “I’m proud of you, you know that?”
“Thanks, Em. That means a lot.”
Chapter 236
85 velcharel
“I mean it. You’ve always been talented, but now you’re actually getting recognition for it. About damn time. ”
Before I could respond, the bar door opened, and Jake walked in, scanning the crowd until he spotted us. He waved, making his way through the night chaos.
“There’s my girl,” he said, dropping a kiss on Emilia’s head. “Ready to go?”
Emilia glanced at her phone. “Already? We just got here.”
“It’s been two hours, babe. And I’m starving.”
“Fine, fine.” She turned to me apologetically. “Rain check on the rest of the girls‘ night?”
“Of course. Go feed your man.”
Jake grinned at me. “Hey, Olivia. How’s married life?”
“Good. You two should try it sometime.”
Emilia choked on her water while Jake’s eyes widened. “We’re taking it slow.”
“Real slow,” Emilia added quickly. “Glacially slow.”
I laughed at their matching panicked expressions. “Relax, I’m kidding. Sort of.”
“Come on,” Jake tugged Emilia’s hand. “Before she starts planning our wedding.”
They said their goodbyes, leaving me alone at the table with my water glass and the remains of our wine bottles. I checked my phone. No new messages from Alexander.
I should probably head home, too. The wine had left me pleasantly fuzzy around the edges, and my bed was calling.
I settled the bill and gathered my purse, weaving through the crowd toward the exit. The cool night air would feel good after the stuffy bar.
I pushed through the door and stopped short.
James Westbrook stood near the valet station, phone pressed to his ear. He glanced up as I emerged, ending his call with a quick goodbye.
“Olivia. Leaving already?”
Something in my chest tightened. This was too much. Too many coincidental meetings in too short a time.
I walked directly toward him, my earlier wine buzz evaporating. “Are you following me?”
His eyebrows shot up.
“What? ”
“You heard me. Are you following me? Because this is getting ridiculous.”
200
James lowered his phone, looking confused. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Because you just happen to be at the same cafe I visit. The same bar I go to with friends. Outside the same hotel where I’m working.” I crossed my arms. “That’s a lot of coincidences.”
“Olivia, I live in LA. I work in LA. We frequent the same places because we’re in the same industry and social circles.”
“Bullshit. You’re deliberately trying to run into me and make it look accidental.”
“I’m not trying to do anything. I don’t need to manufacture meetings with you. I have an actual life that doesn’t revolve around Alexander Carter’s wife.”
“Then explain why you’re here. Right now. At the exact bar where I spent the evening.”
“Because I had drinks with a client, and I’m waiting for my car.” He gestured toward the valet stand. “See? Not everything is about you.”
The valet did have a ticket in his hand, clearly retrieving someone’s vehicle.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I expect you to use common sense instead of paranoia.” His voice took on an edge. “LA has twelve million people, Olivia. Sometimes paths cross without sinister motives.”
“Not this many times in this short a period.”
“Then maybe you’re noticing me now because someone put the idea in your head that I’m suspicious.” James stepped closer. “Has Alexander been whispering in your ear? Telling you to watch out for me?”
“This has nothing to do with Alexander.”
“Doesn’t it?” His eyes searched mine. “Because it sure sounds like someone’s been planting seeds of doubt.”
The valet pulled up in a sleek Mercedes.
“Stay away from me,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “No more coffee, no more casual conversations. Just stay away.”
I turned to walk toward my own car.
“Olivia, wait.”
I paused but didn’t turn around. “What?”
“I can help you.”
Now I did turn, studying his face in the amber glow of the streetlights. “Help me with what?”
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