Olivia's POV

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around me like a comforting blanket as I pushed open the door to Witches’ Brew Café. It was one of my favorite escapes, a place where I could decompress, surrounded by the hum of quiet conversations and the faint clatter of cups.

I stepped to the counter to order my usual when a familiar voice wrapped around me.

“Olivia?”

Turning, I found Matthew standing a few feet away, holding a steaming cup of tea. He smiled warmly, his expression almost too perfect, as though he’d been expecting me.

“Matthew,” I said, surprised. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”

“Same,” he replied, stepping closer. “But Fate seems to have a sense of humor.” He glanced at my hands, empty except for my wallet. “Let me buy you a drink.”

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Sure. Thanks.”

After I ordered, we found a small table by the window, the soft afternoon light filtering through the glass. Matthew leaned back in his chair, studying me with a thoughtful expression.

“I hope this doesn’t offend, but you don’t look like you’ve been sleeping much,” he said, concern lacing his tone. “Still running on fumes from… everything?”

I shrugged, attempting to deflect. “Comes with the territory.”

His gaze softened, and for a moment, I flushed with the focus of his attention. “It’s admirable, you know, just how much you take on. Your Pack, company, family; that’s not something most people could handle.”

His words caught me off guard. They weren’t patronizing, but they struck a nerve. I rarely felt like I was handling anything well these days.

“Thanks,” I murmured, stirring my drink mindlessly. “I guess I just do what I have to.”

Matthew’s voice was steady, but his next words made my stomach twist. “I was going to call you today, about your mother. The treatments are stabilizing her, but her response isn’t as strong as I’d hoped,” he said. “We may need to explore alternative options soon.”

“Alternative options?” I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

“It’s not critical yet,” he reassured me, his tone calm but firm. “But we need to be prepared if her condition worsens. She’s fighting, Olivia, but I’m not sure for how long.”

I swallowed hard. “Thank you, Matthew. Just… keep me updated. Please.”

“Always,” he said softly.

Matthew cleared his throat, abruptly changing the subject. “So, what exactly is it you do at Lunera Beauty? I know it’s a big deal, but I’d love to hear more about it from you.”

The question surprised me. Ethan rarely asked about my work, and I couldn’t remember the last time someone seemed genuinely interested.

“Well,” I began cautiously, “I’m developing a formula that’s hard to describe? It’s something completely new with an eye for connection and sustainability. It’s been…challenging but rewarding.”

I cringed a little with what to my ears sounded like a sales pitch. But Matthew leaned in, his interest palpable. “Challenging how?”

I smiled faintly, warming to the topic. “Trying to capture something as nuanced and subtle as a feeling with a scent, is difficult. Helping people decipher its meaning while maintaining the authenticity of it all… that’s everything.”

I became more animated as I talked about my work. “The balance between effectiveness and sustainability isn’t easy either. Plus, the pressure from competitors and stakeholders – everyone wants a piece of it but it never feels ready.”

His eyes gleamed, and I could tell he wasn’t just being polite. “It sounds like you’re breaking new ground. That’s incredible.”

“Maybe,” I said, ducking my head slightly. “But it’s a lot to juggle.”

“And yet, you’re doing it,” he said, his voice earnest. “Ethan’s lucky to have you by his side.”

The mention of Ethan brought a knot to my stomach. “I don’t think he sees it that way,” I admitted quietly.

Matthew’s smile faded, replaced by an intense stare. “Then maybe he’s blinded by ambition.”

The comment hung in the air, unsettling yet tempting. I looked away, searching for something to say, but nothing came.

When I glanced back at him, Matthew’s expression had shifted, lighter now. “If you ever need someone to talk to about work – or anything else – you know where to find me.”

I nodded, unsure of how to respond. As he rose to leave, I couldn’t shake the lingering sensation that he saw me in a way Ethan didn’t.

---

The rhythmic hum of my lab filled the air as I sifted through paperwork. The steady routine of work was comforting. I was deep into reviewing samples when my phone buzzed on the corner of my desk.

I glanced at the screen, expecting a text from Mia or another vague threat from Aiden. Instead, Matthew’s name flashed across the screen. My chest tightened. He rarely called unless it was about my mother’s health.

I answered quickly, dreading bad news. “Matthew? Is everything okay?”

There was a pause before his voice came through, warm and calm. “Everything’s fine, Olivia. I just…wanted to check in on you.”

Relief washed over me, followed immediately by confusion. “Oh,” I said, caught off guard. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

He chuckled lightly, the sound soothing. “I figured as much. But after seeing you at the café, I realized I didn’t really get to check on how you were doing.”

The observation made me uncomfortable, though I couldn’t pinpoint why. “I’m fine,” I said quickly. “Just the usual. Work, Pack responsibilities, you know how it is.”

“I do,” he replied, his voice tinged with understanding. “But sometimes, even the strongest people need someone to lean on.”

I hesitated, unsure how to respond. Matthew had a way of cutting through my defenses, his words making me feel both seen and exposed.

“I appreciate the concern, really,” I said carefully, keeping my tone neutral. “But I can handle it.”

“I’m sure you can,” he said, his tone softening. “But that doesn’t mean you should have to handle everything alone.”

His words settled over me and I thought of Ethan, of the extra distance he’d put between us with Isabella’s presence and the unanswered questions between us.

“I don’t mean to overstep,” Matthew added, his voice breaking the silence. “I just see someone who gives so much to everyone else and wonder if she’s getting anything back.”

The knot in my chest tightened. “That’s kind of you to say,” I replied, though my voice sounded distant, even to me.

“I mean it,” he said firmly. “And I want you to know I’m here. For anything. Even if it’s just to talk.”

For a moment, I almost believed him, the sincerity in his tone chipping away at the walls I’d built.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said quietly, the words feeling heavier than I intended.

“Good,” he replied, his smile audible through the phone. There was a pause before he continued. “Olivia,” Matthew’s tone softened over the line, “I was wondering…would you join me for dinner tomorrow?”

“Dinner?” I hesitated, the unexpected invitation catching me off guard. “Is this about my mother?”

“No,” he replied, a slight smile in his voice. “This is about you. And an idea I’d like to share.”

I was stunned to silence for a brief moment, wishing my empathy powers worked through the phone. I shook myself present and responded. “Um, sure. You’ve piqued my curiosity.”

“Tomorrow, then.” The line went silent after he hung up, but his words lingered. I stared at the phone in my hand, my thoughts racing.

For all his charm and reassurance, Matthew’s attention left me with a nagging unease. Because no matter how sincere he seemed, I couldn’t shake the instinct that he wasn’t looking for friendship.