Page 35 of Light My Fire Three Times
I’m still standing there, a little stunned by how easy that was.
The woman who practically ran away from me on Halloween is now agreeing to have dinner with me, and for some reason, I’m sure this might be the start of something… well, maybe a little bit more than I bargained for.
I take a final sip of my coffee, feeling the heat of it hit me as a shot of adrenaline.
“I’ll pick you up at seven,” I say, just to make sure we’re on the same page.
“Seven it is, at my new apartment on Stars Lane. Number seven,” she says, and there’s that tiny flicker in her eyes again, the same one that’s been pulling me in since Halloween. “I’ll see you then, Karl Madden.”
I turn to walk away, my pulse racing, but I can’t resist one last glance over my shoulder. “You won’t regret it.”
As I make my way back to the station, I’m already replaying that moment in my head, grinning foolishly.
Olivia Quinn. This time, I’m not letting her slip through my fingers. Not a chance.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Olivia
NOVEMBER 18TH
I standin front of the full-length mirror in my cozy little apartment, biting my lip and trying to get a look at myself from every angle.
The dress feels… okay. Not too fancy, not too casual. Just right. Well, at least I think it is.
It’s black, simple, flattering, but nothing too outrageous. I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard, but… maybe a little?
The heels, however? Disaster.
I wobble a little as I take a few unsteady steps across the room, suddenly questioning every single life decision that led me to wear something this high for a date.
Maybe I should have stuck to the boots, but… ugh, I just wanted to feel a little put together for once. I glance at the clock and groan.
Twenty minutes.
What happened to the fun of getting ready? Because right now, all I want to do is throw on sweatpants and curl up in bed with a book.
I glance back at my reflection, adjusting the straps of my dress. The simple neckline’s nice enough, but what about my hair? It’s a mess, a tangle of waves that have no real direction. Not date night ready.
A sigh escapes me as I reach for my hairbrush, trying to untangle the knots. It takes longer than I care to admit. My fingers work through the strands, adding a little more volume than I’d like, before finally settling on a half-up, half-down style.
A few wisps fall around my face, but I can’t decide if it looks messy chic or just… messy.
I turn back to the mirror, examining my face. I haven’t worn much makeup since I arrived in Coyote Glen, but tonight feels like an exception.
After some back and forth, I settled on a simple yet striking look: a light foundation base, just enough concealer to conceal the dark circles from my late nights of work, and a soft swipe of bronzer to add a hint of color to my cheeks.
I add a touch of mascara, hoping it’s enough to open up my eyes without making me look like I’m trying too hard.
The lips? I can’t decide. Do I go bold with red, or keep it neutral? I opt for something in between: a soft berry gloss that adds just enough shine to feel polished without being over-the-top. It’s subtle, but still, I feel… different. Better.
I take a deep breath and look back at my reflection.
Still unsure, I grab a final detail: my necklace. I hesitate for a moment. Should I keep it simple with just my tiny gold pendant or add a little something more?
Eventually, I go for the necklace Ivy gave me for my birthday. It’s delicate, but it adds a little touch of something personal, like a reminder of how far I’ve come.
I wobble back across the room in the heels, checking myself one last time. As much as I want to throw in the towel and opt forsomething easy, something tells me that tonight deserves a little extra effort.
