Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 24: Tangled Emotions

POV: OLIVIA

I didn't even realize how far I'd walked until the sound of the music faded into the background, replaced by the crash of waves and the occasional crackle of the bonfire behind me. My hands slipped into the pockets of my cargo shorts, fingers twitching like they wanted something to hold, or maybe just something to break.

My feet carried me toward the water's edge-far enough from the crowd that the noise became a distant hum, but close enough that I could still see them. Still see her.

Enid.

She looked unreal under the moonlight in that rust orange halter top, her skin catching the glow of the fire and her creamy white pants flowing with every small breeze. Her hair was in that messy, low bun she always swore she didn't put effort into, but somehow, it still looked perfect. Gold shimmered subtly against her skin-a thin body chain glinting above her waistband and delicate hoops catching every flicker of light.

She laughed at something Maxine said, and that laugh-it wasn't the nervous, unsure one she gave me when she was pretending she didn't care. It was easy.

Natural.

I hated that I remembered the sound of her laugh so clearly.

I kicked at the sand, jaw tightening as I turned my head away. I shouldn't have looked back. I shouldn't keep looking back. But no matter how far I walked, it was like there was a string tied from her to me, and it yanked every time I tried to let go.

The water came up to kiss my toes, cold and sharp. My fingers clenched.

I told myself I didn't care. That whatever she and Maxine had going on was none of my business. That I was done.

But the ache in my chest said otherwise.

And maybe, just maybe, it wasn't Maxine I hated the most in this moment.

It was the version of Enid I only got to see in passing now.

๑

I didn't hear my name the first few times. I was too deep in the crashing of the waves, the stinging thoughts, the weight of seeing her with her. Maxine's hand on Enid's thigh, that soft look on Enid's face she used to give me.

I only felt the touch on my shoulder.

I turned, slow, like surfacing from a dream, and saw Camila crouched slightly, her brows furrowed.

"I've been calling you," she said softly.

I blinked. "Sorry. I was... just thinking."

She didn't say anything. Just sat down beside me, her arm brushing mine, eyes out on the water too.

"You okay?" she asked after a moment.

I gave her a little shrug and a not-so-convincing, "Yeah."

She didn't press, and that made it worse.

I didn't know what she was thinking, but I could feel the tension settle into something else-an invitation. Maybe it was the pain, or maybe it was just me wanting not to feel so damn much anymore. But I turned to her, really looked at her. She was beautiful, yeah. Confident in that way people always noticed.

And she was here.

So if Enid could pretend nothing happened-sit on a rock with Maxine like I hadn't meant anything-then I could do the same.

I stood up, brushing sand off my pants. "Come on," I said, offering Camila my hand.

She took it, her fingers slipping into mine like it was nothing. Like this didn't feel like a war in my chest.