Earlier that night...
Ethan adjusted his cufflinks as he sat across the table from Lauren in the softly lit restaurant. The ambiance was elegant—dim lighting, the faint hum of a jazz pianist in the corner, and tables draped in crisp white linens. He had chosen this place carefully, ensuring it fit the standard Lauren would expect, especially after the spectacle of her winning bid at the fundraiser. If Lauren wanted an experience worthy of her $100,000, she would get it—but nothing more.
He leaned back in his chair, swirling the glass of wine in his hand as Lauren laughed at something he barely registered. He tried to keep the conversation neutral, steering it toward her business ventures and her father's involvement with Kriss Industries. But every answer from her came with a calculated smile and a light touch—her fingers brushing against his arm, her hand lingering on his when she gestured. It made his skin crawl, though he masked it with polite smiles.
"So, Ethan," Lauren said, leaning forward slightly, her red lipstick catching the light. "What's your next big move with Jameson Enterprises? You've always been so ambitious. I've missed that about you."
Ethan forced a smile, keeping his tone casual. "Business as usual, Lauren. It's been a busy few months, but the team's doing great work."
Her hand slid across the table to rest lightly on his forearm. "You always were modest, but we both know how much of Jameson Enterprises' success comes from you. You're one of a kind, Ethan."
He nodded, shifting slightly to pull his arm back under the pretense of adjusting his watch. "Thanks, Lauren. So, tell me more about this new partnership you're working on."
But even as he spoke, his mind wasn't in the room. He hadn't stopped thinking about Olivia since the moment she walked out of his apartment earlier that day to meet Daniel. The thought of them together had been gnawing at him all night, souring his mood. Olivia—his Olivia—laughing with that asshole, reminiscing about their past. It was a bitter pill to swallow and one he wasn't handling well.
He felt a pang of jealousy, sharp and consuming. How could he compete with what they had? Daniel wasn't just a fling or a casual ex; he was her history, her first love. That thought twisted something deep in Ethan's gut, making it hard to focus on anything else.
"Ethan?" Lauren's voice interrupted his thoughts, and he realized she'd been speaking to him, her gaze curious.
"Sorry," he said, snapping out of his trance. "What were you saying?"
She smirked, tilting her head. "You seem distracted tonight. Thinking about work?"
"Something like that," he muttered, taking a sip of his wine to buy himself a moment.
Lauren leaned in, her hand grazing his across the table again. "You don't have to keep your guard up with me, Ethan. We've been through so much together. You can tell me anything."
His jaw tightened, the tension in his shoulders building. What I'd like to tell you is to keep your damn hands to yourself, he thought bitterly but kept his composure. Instead, he offered a tight smile. "I appreciate that, Lauren."
As the evening wore on, Ethan found himself glancing at his watch more than he cared to admit. The sooner this dinner was over, the sooner he could call Olivia, hear her voice, and remind her she was his. Lauren could drape herself in designer dresses and throw around millions, but she could never hold a candle to Olivia's authenticity, her warmth, and the way she made him feel grounded and alive all at once.
"Ethan, are you listening?" Lauren asked, her tone slightly annoyed now.
He looked up, meeting her gaze with practiced calm. "Of course, Lauren. Go on."
But inside, his patience was wearing thin. His thoughts were consumed by a single question: What is Olivia doing right now? And is Daniel getting too close to her?
Finally, dessert was served, and Ethan hoped the restaurant would be the end of the night, but Lauren's insistence on a post-dinner stroll left him little room to maneuver. The restaurant's glow faded behind them, and the sound of passing cars created a hum that barely registered in his mind.
As they stopped beneath a streetlamp, its golden light casting a soft glow over their surroundings, Ethan turned to Lauren, his frustration barely masked. "Look, Lauren, this isn't working," he said, his voice firm but calm. "You and I both know there's nothing left between us. I'm in love with Olivia. There's no future here."
"I know this isn't easy for you," she had said softly, her voice carrying that blend of familiarity and persistence that grated on him. "I know you're with Olivia now, but that doesn't erase what we had, Ethan. You can't just forget everything we built together."
Lauren tilted her head, her eyes searching his face. "Ethan," she began, her voice soft and imploring, "just one kiss. That's all I'm asking. If you feel nothing, I'll walk away. But I know we still have sparks—we always have. We just need to fan them."
Ethan's jaw clenched, disbelief and exasperation tightening in his chest. He took a step back, shaking his head. "Lauren, this isn't about sparks or chemistry. Whatever we had—whatever I thought we had—it's in the past. I've moved on, and you need to do the same."
Lauren shook her head, her blonde waves catching the light. "You think it's real because it's new, Ethan. But what happens when it's not? When the excitement fades? You and I—we've been through it all before. We know each other in a way that no one else can."
Ethan frowned, his hands tightening into fists at his sides. "History doesn't mean forever, Lauren. Whatever we had—it's in the past. I've moved on. You need to do the same."
But Lauren wasn't ready to let go. She stepped closer, her voice trembling with desperation. "Just one kiss, Ethan. One kiss, and if you don't feel anything, I'll leave you alone for good."
Before Ethan could respond, Lauren closed the gap between them, wrapping her arms around his neck. He froze for a moment, caught off guard, as her lips pressed against his. It wasn't passion or longing he felt—it was shock and an overwhelming sense of wrongness.
He started to pull away, but then he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. His heart sank as he saw Olivia in a car just a few feet away. Her expression shattered. Her wide, tear-filled eyes locked on his before the vehicle drove away.
"Damn it, Lauren!" Ethan hissed, stepping back abruptly and breaking the kiss. "What the hell are you doing?"
Lauren tilted her head, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Proving my point," she said, her voice dripping with self-satisfaction. "See? Sparks."
Ethan stared at her, his anger boiling over. "No. All you've done is ruin something good. You've made me hurt the woman I love. Stay away from me, Lauren. I mean it."
He turned on his heel, his heart racing as he tried to think of how he could fix the damage that had just been done. He needed to find Olivia to explain everything. But deep down, he knew—what she saw might be too much to come back from.