Page 6 of The Secrets We Hide

Chapter 6

Molly

My phone buzzed mid-afternoon, a text from Lucas. “Can we talk later?”

A wry smile touched my lips. It seemed the carefully constructed walls were beginning to crumble. I replied with a simple, “Of course.”

Later that evening, we met at a quiet bar near my apartment. The atmosphere was relaxed, the dim lighting casting long shadows that seemed to mirror the uncertainty hanging between us.

“That was… unexpected,” Lucas said, taking a slow sip of his drink, echoing his earlier sentiment to Dominik.

“Intriguing is the word I’d use,” I countered, meeting his gaze. “There’s clearly something going on between you and Dominik.” He hesitated for a moment, then let out a long sigh. “It’s… complicated. We crossed a line at The Obsidian. A line I never expected to cross. We’ve been friends for decades.”

“And how did that make you feel?” I asked gently, sensing his internal struggle.

He swirled the ice in his glass. “Confused. And… surprisingly… connected. But also terrified. It’s uncharted territory for me, Molly.”

“And your dinner with me?” I prompted, wanting to understand his perspective. “That was… different. There was an undeniable attraction, an ease I enjoyed. But Dominik’s reaction…it made me realize that what happened between us wasn’t just a fleeting moment.”

“He’s jealous,” I stated simply. Lucas nodded slowly. “Yes. And… I think… I might be too. The thought of him being with someone else… it’s unsettling.”

My mind raced. This wasn’t a simple love triangle. It was a complex interplay of desire, confusion, and a breaking down of long-held boundaries. And I found myself surprisingly drawn to the messy, unpredictable nature of it all.

“So, where does that leave us, Lucas?” I asked, my tone direct, cutting through the uncertainty. He looked at me, a flicker of something akin to hope in his eyes. “I don’t know. But I know I can’t ignore what happened. With either of you.”

A slow smile spread across my face.

“Good. Because I have a feeling this is going to be very interesting indeed.” The unconventional nature of it all, the raw emotions simmering beneath the surface – it was a captivating puzzle, and I was eager to see how the pieces would ultimately fall.

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Lucas

The conversation with Molly that Tuesday evening had been surprisingly cathartic. Her directness cut through my usual layers of guardedness, forcing me to confront the tangled mess of my emotions. Admitting my confusion, my unexpected connection with Dominik, and even the unsettling flicker of jealousy I felt at the thought of him with someone else, felt like a small step forward, a crack in the dam of my carefully constructed emotional barriers.

But returning to the office the next day felt like stepping back into a minefield. The air between Dominik and me remained thick with unspoken tension, every interaction stilted and uncomfortable. We managed to navigate a crucial client presentation with a strained professionalism, but the undercurrent of our personal turmoil was palpable, a silent distraction that even Jason seemed to notice.

“Everything alright between you two?” Jason asked later that afternoon, his brow furrowed with concern as he leaned against my office doorframe. We had been friends for decades, as well, our bond forged in shared ambition and countless late nights building this firm. He knew me better than almost anyone.

“It’s… complicated, Jason,” I admitted, rubbing a hand over my tired eyes. “Something happened over the weekend.”

He raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Something involving The Obsidian, perhaps?” He had always been more adventurous, more open to exploring the less conventional aspects of life. I was surprised he knew.

“Dominik mentioned it?”

Jason chuckled. “Dominik doesn’t mention anything unless absolutely necessary. But I saw the way you two were acting at the presentation. The tension was thicker than a Boston cream pie. So, spill.”

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. The idea of discussing my unexpected intimacy with Dominik, my confusing feelings, with my straight-laced best friend felt… daunting. But Jason’s unwavering support had always been a constant in my life.

I gave him a carefully edited version of the events, focusing on the unexpected nature of the threesome and the subsequent awkwardness with Dominik. I omitted the deeper stirrings within me, the unsettling jealousy, the dawning realization that my feelings for Dominik might extend beyond mere curiosity.

Jason listened intently, his expression thoughtful. “Sounds like you’ve stumbled into something… interesting, Lucas. Be careful. Emotions can be a messy business, especially when you least expect them.” I knew he was referring to his and Vivienne’s relationship. Last year was filled with drama, loss, and shit ton of regret. But the two of them were now happy and had so much love for each other, They healed one another.

His words resonated with the turmoil I was already experiencing. I was treading on unfamiliar ground, navigating a landscape of feelings I had long suppressed.

Later that afternoon, an email from Molly popped into my inbox. A simple invitation for drinks on Friday. I found myself accepting almost immediately, a sense of anticipation mixed with a nervous flutter in my chest. I wanted to explore the connection we had, to understand the pull I felt towards her. But the image of Dominik’s hurt and jealous eyes lingered in the back of my mind, a constant reminder of the other thread in this increasingly tangled web.

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