“Oliv—”
“Coming,” I call, hurrying to the door before she comes inside. “Morning.” I smile as it swings open, hoping to God that I look normal and not like a girl who spent the night tangled up in her son’s arms.
“Is everything okay? I thought I heard voices.”
“I was on a video call to Charli. She woke me up.”
“Oh. Well, I wanted to bring you a coffee, sweetheart. You slept like the dead, it’s almost ten.”
Ten.
Crap.
Clearly, drunk Reese cannot be trusted to set his alarm.
“Oak is downstairs. Your father and I thought we could all have breakfast together. I’m about to go and wake Reese. Oak said he didn’t stay at the Chapel, so he must be here.”
“N-no,” I blurt. “I’ll do it.”
“What?”
“I mean, I can wake him. We should probably talk anyway… after everything. Clear the air before family breakfast.”
She thinks on it for a second and then smiles. “That’s probably a good idea. I’d prefer it if Oakley and Reese could try not to kill each other over pancakes.”
“No problem. Just give me ten minutes, then we’ll be down.”
She steps forward, cupping my cheek in her hand. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Olivia. I know I’m not your mum, but you and your brother mean a lot to me. I hope you both know that. And maybe one day—”
The blare of my mobile phone cuts through the air and she drops her hand.
“It’s probably Charli,” I say. “I cut her off earlier.”
“Okay, well, I’ll leave you to it. Please tell that son of mine we expect him at the table whether he wants to be there or not.”
“I will.”
She takes off down the hall and I close my bedroom door, inhaling a shaky breath.
That was a close call.
Too close.
Marching across the room, I pluck up my phone, surprised to see Reese’s name on the missed call notification.
As I approach the bathroom, my heart thumps in my chest. We almost got caught and yet, all I can think about is kissing him again.
I’ve barely got the door open when his arm darts out and he pulls me inside.
“What are you—”
He pins me against the wall, pressing his head to mine as he stares at me.
“I take it she bought your lies.” His jaw tics as he says the words.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” Something flashes in his eyes, but it’s gone before I can latch onto it.