It’s the anger that sticks.
“What thefuck, Ash?” she snaps, eyes narrowing into slits, her voice sharp and shaking.
I blink, stunned. What is happening?
One second, everything was perfect—electric, connected. She wanted this. Iknowshe wanted this. She showed me, clearly, undeniably. She was just as into it as I was.
She sits up, pulling the sheets around her like armor. She’s looking at me like I just broke something sacred.
“I—I don’t understand,” I say, breath catching.
Olive’s eyes are wet and wild. “Why did you do that?”
“Do what?”
“Kiss me. Touch me. Make me come. Almost fuck me.” Her voice cracks on the last part. And I feel it like a slap.
She swallows hard, then locks eyes with me, challenging.
“Just answer me this—if I hadn’t stopped it, would you have fucked me?”
“Wh— I mean…” My heart thuds against my ribs. “If you’d wanted to. Yeah. Maybe.”
Her whole body tenses like she’s bracing for a hit.
“See? That’s not the right answer.”
She turns away for a second, swiping at her cheek. And when she speaks again, her voice isn’tsharp anymore.
It’s broken.
“I don’t know what’s going on right now,” I admit, trying to catch up.
“What’s going on,” she says, biting the words out, “is that you’regay, Ash.”
I blink, caught off guard. “Wait—what?”
11
OLIVE
Not Even Bi
He blinks like I just slapped him. “Wait—what?”
I look away, cheeks burning. My voice cracks as I rush on. “And I’m just some stupid, desperate fangirl writing steamy scenes about her fake fiancé—pathetic enough to cling to every crumb of affection you throw my way. Even if you’re not into it the way I am.”
I see it—himprocessingmy words. Finally.
Maybe now he’ll get it. Maybe he’ll leave me alone, which, at this point, is all I want. To be alone.
I swipe at my cheek and turn away. “This is so embarrassing.”
But instead of taking the hint—he laughs. Like it’s the best joke he’s heard all year.
“You think I’mgay?”
“Maybe this is funny to you, but it’s not funny to me.” I sniff, the sting in my chest quickly turning to frustration.
