The Ride Home

"Hello, Dan," Ethan said, his voice carrying a subtle edge. "I'm Olivia's boyfriend, Ethan Jameson, and I know exactly who you are," Ethan proclaimed icily while giving Daniel a piercing stare. Olivia stared at Ethan in awe. 

She gasped when she heard Ethan's voice, in which a subtle edge emerged. She looked at him in surprise, watching as he grabbed her hand protectively and shot a piercing stare at Daniel. The words were spoken with a hint of aggression, making Olivia's heart beat even faster. She had no idea what Ethan was doing or why he was saying this. Daniel's expression shifted drastically, and he took a step back.

 He quickly regained his composure and nodded, barely replying with a strained, "Nice to meet you, Ethan." Daniel, appearing taken aback, stammered, "Boyfriend? Isn't it a little soon, Olivia?"

Ethan's grip on Olivia's hand tightened ever so slightly, and he looked away, his gaze passing over Daniel and Cindy one last time before he finally spoke.

"Well, it looks like we are finished here and will have to leave you two alone," he said.

Olivia felt her chest tighten. She could sense the tension between them and the power in Ethan's words. Without another word, Ethan stepped away, taking Olivia's hand with him as he did. Olivia wanted to say something, anything, but the words seemed stuck in her throat.

Cindy, sensing the awkwardness, chimed in with a polite smile. "Well, it's lovely to meet you both." She said before turning to Daniel, who was still standing there with a blank look on his face.

Unfazed by this exchange, Ethan walked away without a glance back. He muttered something that sounded like a goodbye, but it was hard to tell if he really said it or not.

Olivia's heart was pounding, her mind still in a state of shock. She had never expected Ethan to react so strongly against Daniel. Was he really trying to protect her? She felt overwhelmed with mixed emotions as she followed Ethan out the door.

Once outside, Ethan finally released his grip on Olivia and sighed deeply. He reached over and gave her a peck on the forehead. "Sorry about that," he said softly. "I just didn't like him coming around you like that."

Olivia smiled weakly and nodded, not sure what to say. They stood there awkwardly for a few moments, and Ethan spoke up.

"Come on," he said gently, "Let's get out of here." Taking her hand, he led her away from the restaurant and into the night.

As they walked towards the car, Olivia felt relieved that nothing serious had happened between Daniel and Ethan— but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel moved by how protective Ethan had been over her. Maybe, she thought, he did care about her after all.

The ride back to Mary's house was quiet as Olivia and Ethan were entrenched in their thoughts. The soft hum of the car's engine filled the silence, punctuated only by the occasional passing streetlight. The evening had taken an unexpected turn, and Olivia couldn't help but reflect on the whirlwind of emotions she had experienced.

Finally, Olivia decided to break the silence. She turned to Ethan and said, "Ethan, I just want to thank you."

Ethan glanced at her, his eyes showing a hint of curiosity. "You don't need to thank me, Olivia," he replied gently. "I could tell that Daniel was... a real class act."

Olivia chuckled softly. "Well, I believe time and distance have also given me some clarity. Besides encountering Daniel, I had a wonderful night, and I want to thank you for that. It was nice, and I enjoyed it. I hope we can spend more time together in the future."

Ethan couldn't help but smile at her words. He had been pleasantly surprised by the evening as well, despite the unexpected run-in with Daniel.

"I would like that," he said, sincerity in his voice. "We can definitely do this again. And, Olivia, you deserve nothing but happiness."

Olivia nodded, a sense of warmth filling her heart. As they continued the drive, she couldn't help but feel that perhaps, amidst all the changes in her life, there was a glimmer of something new and exciting on the horizon.

As they parted, Ethan knew there was no going back. They were both in too deep, and the only thing left to do was surrender to the simmering passion between them.

Olivia

Saturday had finally arrived, and with it came a sense of relief for Olivia. Her first week at Jameson Enterprises had been filled with intriguing moments and a few surprises. As she sipped on her morning coffee, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity she had been given. Not only was it a great job, but she also suspected her paycheck was more generous than it should have been. It was clear that Logan and Ethan had taken her under their wing, understanding her situation and offering their support.

Excitement bubbled within her as she contemplated the day ahead. Olivia was looking forward to going Christmas shopping. She knew she also needed to replenish her wardrobe with new outfits suitable for her work at Jameson Enterprises. Her current selection leaned more toward casual attire, and it was time to invest in some professional clothing to fit her new role.

The sound of the knob turning at the front door drew Olivia's attention, and she turned to see Logan entering with a radiant smile. He seemed like a character straight out of a Greek myth, with his charismatic presence and rugged charm. It was impossible for Olivia not to notice his striking good looks.

"Hey, Olivia," Logan greeted with his signature warmth. "Got any plans for today?" His friendly demeanor put her at ease, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as she responded.

Olivia smiled and replied, "Actually, I'm planning to go Christmas shopping today and pick up some new work clothes. Why do you ask?"

Olivia was captivated by his presence. He was among the most gorgeous men she had ever seen, and his warm smile was infectious.

Logan's face lit up with enthusiasm. "Well," he replied, "I just happened to clear my schedule for my favorite new sister today! Mind if I tag along?"

Olivia's heart swelled with gratitude. The fact that Logan had made the effort to spend time with her was touching. After her recent divorce, her social circle had dwindled, and she had often felt isolated.

"Really?" she exclaimed, a grateful smile on her face. "The fact that you cleared your day to spend time with me means a lot. Since my divorce, my friends have been few and far between, and I've been pretty much on my own. Spending the day with you sounds wonderful. Let's go!" Olivia's smile radiated warmth and appreciation as she prepared to spend the day with her stepbrother.