Page 30 of Faking with Three

“How’s that for pathetic?” Olivia says.

Jax lets out a low whistle. “Damn,” he mutters. “Did not see that coming.”

Marcus is staring, wide-eyed, like he can’t believe what just happened. He’s gripping his glass of wine so tight, I’m worried it’s going to shatter. “Olivia, what the hell?” he manages, his voice hushed and incredulous.

But I’m struggling to hold back a laugh. I press a hand to my mouth, trying to hide my grin, but it’s impossible.

Charlie finally seems to snap out of her stupor. Her face contorts with rage, and she starts sputtering, wiping soup from her eyes. “You—you psycho!” she screeches, her voice echoing off the marble walls. “Do you know who I am? You can’t do this to me!”

Olivia stands her ground, crossing her arms over her chest. She looks calm, almost serene, but I can see the fire blazing in her eyes. “Oh, I know exactly who you are,” she says coolly. “And I’ve had about enough of your bullshit.”

The restaurant is in full chaos now. Patrons are turning in their seats, snapping pictures and whispering excitedly. The manager, who’s now completely red-faced, marches over, looking as if he’s about to explode.

“Ma’am, please,” he says, looking between Olivia and the dripping, fuming Charlie. “This is a respectable establishment. We can’t have this kind of behavior.”

“Oh, you’re damn right it’s not respectable,” Charlie snaps, pointing a shaking finger at Olivia. “She assaulted me! I want her out of here. I wantall of themout of here!”

Marcus pinches the bridge of his nose, like he’s trying to ward off a migraine. “This is a disaster,” he mutters.

“Fine by me,” Olivia says, turning on her heel and grabbing her purse. She gives Charlie a sharp look, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Enjoy the bisque. I’d say it’s on me, but, well…it’s mostly on you.”

Jax covers his mouth with his hand, trying to stifle a laugh, while Marcus lets out a strangled sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. And me? I can’t help it.

That’s my girl,I think. But the thought stops me in my tracks. Olivia is not my girl, right?

CHAPTER 10

OLIVIA

I wakeup to the shrill buzz of my phone vibrating against the nightstand. My head feels heavy, my eyes gritty from a restless sleep. I blink at the screen, trying to process the slew of missed calls:Mom, Ethan, Jax.

Groaning, I swipe to silence the persistent notifications. I debate which fire to put out first, but there’s really no contest. Mom always wins the battle for immediate attention.

“Hi, Mom,” I say, my voice hoarse as I sink back into my pillows.

“Olivia Madeline Sutton Chase!” Her tone is sharp enough to cut glass. “Why didn’t you tell me you were back in town?”

I sit up straighter, fumbling for a coherent response. “I—uh—meant to call you, I just… I’ve been busy.”

“Busy causing chaos, apparently!” she snaps. “Honestly, Olivia, do you ever think before you act?”

I freeze. Chaos? What is she talking about? “Wait, what do you mean? Who told you I’m back?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” she says, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Maybe the local news? Or perhapseveryonein this town who’s seen it?”

I feel the blood drain from my face. “What? What’s on the news?”

She huffs dramatically. “Why don’t you turn on the TV and find out for yourself?”

I scramble out of bed, my heart pounding, and grab the remote. The TV flickers to life, and I flip to the local news channel. It doesn’t take long to find what she’s talking about. There, on the screen, is none other than Charlie Green.She’s seated against a backdrop of a grainy cellphone video of our blowout at the restaurant last night. My stomach twists as I watch her dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, her voice trembling with theatrical indignation.

“…never felt so humiliated in my life,” she says, sniffling for added effect. “I was merely trying to engage with them about their project, and they—” She pauses for dramatic emphasis. “—assaulted me. All of them. It was terrifying.”

I stare, slack-jawed, as the camera cuts back to the anchor, who nods sympathetically. “Truly a shocking incident, Charlie. Thank you for bravely sharing your story. And for those just tuning in, the individuals involved are allegedly associated with a local online channel called Love Lab.”

“Oh, for crying out loud,” I mutter, dragging a hand down my face. “This woman is unbelievable.”

The segment continues, with Charlie playing the part of the wounded victim, all while snippets of the altercation flash across the screen. One clip even shows me mid-soup dump, looking utterly unrepentant. I groan loudly.

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