Page 69 of Faking with Three

After a day of contemplation, I realize I don’t have a choice. I have to do this face-to-face. So, I invite all three of them to dinner at my place. Later, I wonder if they’re even going to bother showing up.

But still I prepare.

“If nothing else, you and I are going to have a great date night,” I tell Clawdia who hisses in response.

The table is set: plates stacked neatly, wine glasses polished, and a bottle of something red and strong breathing on the counter. I glance around my small dining area for the tenth time in as many minutes, smoothing invisible wrinkles on the tablecloth.

The doorbell rings, snapping me out of my spiral. My heart leaps, but I paste on a neutral expression and head for the door. Ethan is first, holding a bottle of wine and wearing a curious mix of confusion and apprehension on his face.

“Hey,” he says, stepping inside. His eyes roam over me briefly, like he’s assessing my mood. “What’s this all about?”

“Just wait,” I reply cryptically, ushering him toward the table.

Not five minutes later, the second knock comes. Jax. He strides in like he owns the place, carrying a bouquet of flowers that he immediately places in my hands. “Thought this was just us,” he says, frowning slightly as he spots Ethan.

“Patience,” I murmur, brushing past him to put the flowers in water.

Marcus arrives last. He steps through the doorway, scanning the room like he’s bracing for bad news. His gaze lands on Ethan and Jax, and his jaw tightens. “What’s going on, Olivia?”

“Dinner,” I say lightly, though my voice wavers. “And wine. Lots of wine.”

They exchange glances but take their seats. The tension is thick enough to cut with a knife, and as I pour the first round of wine, I can feel their eyes on me, trying to decode what’s happening.

We eat in near silence at first, the occasional clink of cutlery breaking the quiet. It isn’t until the second bottle of wine is halfway drained that they start talking—at each other, not with me.

“Seriously, why are we all here?” Jax asks, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

“You keep asking yourself that,” Ethan says, folding his arms. “I’m here because she wanted me here.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Jax replies.

“Guys—” I start weakly but it’s of no use. Jax and Ethan are glaring down at each other.

“This isn’t a competition,” Jax says.

“Yeah? Then why don’t you take your head out of your ass for once and?—”

“This is ridiculous,” Marcus says.

“Marcus, please,” Ethan says, shooting him a glare. “Don’t act like you’re above this. You’re just as guilty of playing the game.”

“I don’t play games,” Marcus snaps, his voice low and deadly. “Unlike you two, I actually care about Olivia.”

“Oh, and we don’t?” Jax shoots back, his jaw tightening.

“Enough!” I shout, slamming my hands down on the table. The sound startles all three of them into silence, and for a moment, I can’t believe it actually worked.

“I asked you all here because I have something to tell you,” I start, my heart pounding. “I’ve decided to move back to Austin.”

The reactions are immediate. Jax leans back in his chair, his jaw tightening. Marcus’s expression darkens, his hand still on his wine glass. Ethan’s brow furrows as he leans forward.

“You’re leaving?” Ethan says, his voice tinged with disbelief. “Just like that?”

“It’s not ‘just like that,’” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “This was never meant to be a permanent stay. I have a company to run, and this... everything here is too complicated.”

“Complicated?” Jax echoes, his voice low. “Or inconvenient?”

“Come on, Jax,” Marcus interjects. “Let her explain.”

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