I used to think healing was something that happened all at once—like flipping a switch, like waking up one day and realizing you weren't carrying the weight of the past anymore. But that wasn't how it worked.

Healing was slow. Messy. A process of unlearning and relearning. Of taking steps forward and then stumbling back.

But I wasn't walking through it alone. And neither was Olivia.

That should have been enough to settle the unease sitting in my chest.

But it wasn't.

***

I sat at the counter of the bookstore, tapping my fingers against my coffee cup, trying to shake the restlessness that had been creeping in all morning.

Ryan sat across from me, flipping through the financial reports for the branch, his expression unreadable.

"You good?" He asked without looking up.

I forced a smirk. "Since when do you care?"

Ryan shot me a look. "Since we're in business together and your mood affects the bookstore."

I rolled my eyes, leaning back. "I'm fine."

He raised a brow. "Uh-huh."

I wasn't in the mood to talk about it, so I changed the subject. "How's your dad?"

Ryan exhaled, setting the papers down. "Still trying to pretend he's the reason I'm successful." He smirked. "You know how it is."

Yeah. I did.

We hadn't talked about our dads much. Maybe because we both knew the conversation would lead somewhere neither of us was ready to go.

"I should probably get going," Ryan said after a moment, stacking the reports. "We still good for the investor dinner this weekend?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I'll be there."

Ryan studied me for a second before shaking his head. "You sure you're fine?"

I hesitated, but before I could answer, the bookstore door opened.

And Olivia walked in.

With Jason.

***

It wasn't like I hadn't known she was meeting up with him. She had told me. She had been honest.

So why did it still feel like a punch to the gut seeing them walk in together?

Olivia's eyes found mine immediately. Her expression shifted—guilt, maybe, or just concern.

Jason, on the other hand, barely glanced at me.

I pushed back the urge to clench my fists.

Ryan, ever observant, picked up on the tension instantly. "Well. This just got interesting."

I shot him a glare, but he only smirked, gathering his things. "I'll leave you to it." He patted my shoulder as he passed. "Try not to murder anyone."

I rolled my eyes, watching as he disappeared out the door.

Jason walked toward one of the bookshelves, flipping through titles like he belonged here. Olivia stayed by the entrance, shifting on her feet.

I exhaled and met her gaze. "Hey."

She gave me a soft smile, walking over. "Hey."

Jason didn't follow. Good.

"How was lunch?" I asked, keeping my voice even.

Olivia studied me, like she was trying to gauge my mood. "It was fine. Just catching up."

I nodded, even though my stomach was twisting. "Cool."

She sighed. "Max."

"What?"

"You're doing the thing."

I raised a brow. "What thing?"

"The thing where you pretend everything's fine when it's clearly not."

I ran a hand through my hair, forcing a chuckle. "Liv, I'm not mad."

She crossed her arms. "But?"

I exhaled. "But I don't *like* him."

"I know."

"And I don't trust him."

She sighed. "Max—"

"I trust *you*," I said before she could argue. "I just... I don't get it. Why are you still holding onto this friendship?"

Olivia hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at Jason before turning back to me. "Because I know what it feels like to lose people. And I don't want to be the one doing the leaving."

Something in my chest tightened.

I got it. Of course, I did.

But that didn't mean I had to like it.

"Just... be careful," I said, my voice quieter now.

She softened. "I will."

She reached for my hand, and I let her take it.

"Can we talk later?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. We can."

Jason finally looked up from the shelf, glancing at Olivia. "You ready?"

She nodded before squeezing my hand one last time and heading toward the door.

I watched her go, my chest tight.

***

That night, Olivia curled up beside me on the couch, her head resting on my shoulder.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly.

I sighed, running my fingers through her hair. "Not really."

She didn't push.

But after a while, I said, "I'm sorry."

She lifted her head. "For what?"

"For being an ass earlier."

She smiled faintly. "You weren't an ass."

I snorted. "I was definitely an ass."

She huffed a quiet laugh. "Okay. Maybe a little."

I groaned. "Great."

She shifted so she was facing me. "Max, it's okay to feel things. I *want* you to tell me when something bothers you. Just... don't shut me out."

I met her gaze. "I won't."

She searched my face for a moment before nodding.

We sat in silence for a while, just existing in the same space, until she spoke again.

"I got an email from my professor today," she said.

I raised a brow. "Good news?"

A slow smile spread across her face. "Really good."

She pulled out her phone, scrolling for a second before handing it to me.

I scanned the email, my eyes widening.

"You got invited to showcase your work?"

She nodded, biting her lip. "It's just a student showcase, nothing huge, but—"

"Liv." I set her phone down and cupped her face. "This is *amazing*."

Her cheeks flushed. "You think so?"

I kissed her forehead. "I know so."

She let out a breath, relaxing against me. "I'm kind of terrified."

I smirked. "That's how you know it's worth it."

She groaned. "Ugh. Don't get all wise on me right now."

I chuckled. "Sorry, sorry."

She sighed. "I just... I want to do this right."

I tilted her chin up. "You will."

She searched my eyes before leaning in, kissing me softly.

And just like that, the rest of the day faded away.

***

Later that night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, Olivia's breathing steady beside me, I let my mind wander.

To Ryan. To Jason. To Olivia. To the life we were building.

It was messy. Complicated.

And no matter what came next, I wasn't going anywhere.