Page 126 of The Temporary Fiancée
ME: Are they still there? Are you okay?
OLIVIA: No they’re gone. All good, don’t worry.
I breathe a sigh of relief, but the irritated, envious feeling in my chest still won’t fade. It’s obvious that Olivia and the others rebuffed the strangers, but still, I don’t like the idea of anyone flirting with her.
ME: I hope you told them you were spoken for.
OLIVIA: Yeah, of course, I showed them the ring
OLIVIA: They backed off real quicj
OLIVIA: quick lol
ME: Good.
ME: But if you ever need me to defend your honor, I’m down. *winking emoji*
OLIVIA: Oh, right… just like you did with Keller.
ME: Exactly like that.
OLIVIA: What if one of them challenged you to a fight. What would you do?
ME: Easy. I’d win.
OLIVIA: Oh yeah?
ME: Uhhh have you seen me? I’m 6’3”. What are they gonna do?
OLIVIA: Ok, well wjat if one of them was 6’4”?
ME: Simple, I would use my smaller size to my advantage.
ME: I have lightning reflexes.
OLIVIA: lol of coursse you dooo
Based on the typos in Olivia’s messages, I think it’s safe to assume she’s pretty drunk. I smile fondly at my phone for a few moments, then look up at the other guys.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt a good thing, but do you guys think we might want to go pick up the girls?”
Declan raises an eyebrow quizzically. “Is something up?”
“According to Olivia, they’re at a bar somewhere. Seems like they’re having a fun night. I just want to make sure they get home safe.”
Cole nods. “Sure thing. It’s getting late, anyway. This place is gonna close soon, and I’d rather not get kicked out.”
“You’re texting Olivia?” Declan shoots me a sly grin.
I roll my eyes and make a big show of scoffing, like this is all a huge joke to me. “Uh, yeah. Obviously. She’s myfiancée,man.”
Noah, Cole, and Declan laugh, but I can feel Shane’s gaze fixed on me, more analytical than the others—almost like he can see right through me.
“Let’s go find them,” I say, avoiding his scrutiny. I get to my feet, and the others follow suit.
Shane calls one of the family’s drivers to come pick him up, and Noah simply hails a cab at the street. They both bid us goodnight as they leave, and Cole, Declan, and I busy ourselves trying to find the bar that Olivia and the girls ended up at.
After a few lengthy text conversations, we manage to get an answer: a place called Studio Five. It’s walking distance, so we don’t even bother to call one of our drivers, heading over on foot.
