Chapter 13: A Risk Worth Taking
619 Words
Olivia sat on Noah’s couch, hands clasped together, her mind swirling with everything that had happened. The weight of their pasts, the warnings, the emotions—it was all crashing down at once. Noah sat beside her, watching, waiting.
"So... what happens now?" he asked gently.
She exhaled, shaking her head. "I don’t know, Noah. I want to believe you. I do. But I can’t ignore that I’m scared."
"Scared of what?" He leaned in slightly, his eyes searching hers.
"Of getting hurt. Of falling too fast and realizing too late that I made a mistake."
Noah nodded slowly, taking in her words. "I get it. And I don’t expect you to trust me overnight, Olivia. But I’m here. I’m not going anywhere."
She looked at him then, really looked. There was something different in his gaze—something steady, unwavering. "I want to believe that."
"Then let me show you." He reached out, hesitating just long enough for her to pull away if she wanted. She didn’t. His fingers curled gently around hers, warm and reassuring. "We don’t have to rush this. We go at your pace. Whatever you need, I’ll do it."
Her heart pounded. "Okay."
A small smile played on Noah’s lips. "Okay?"
She nodded. "Okay. Let’s see where this goes. But I need honesty, Noah. No secrets. No disappearing acts. If you feel something, say it. If something’s wrong, tell me."
"I promise," he said without hesitation. "No more running."
A silence settled between them, not uncomfortable but filled with unspoken emotions. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a start.
---
Over the next few weeks, Noah kept his word. He showed up—always. Whether it was morning coffee runs, random midday texts, or late-night phone calls, he made it clear he was serious about proving himself.
And Olivia? She was letting him in, piece by piece.
One evening, as they walked along the riverfront, she turned to him with a teasing smile. "You’re really pulling out all the stops, huh?"
He grinned. "What can I say? I’m determined."
"Determined to what?" she asked, stopping to face him.
His expression turned serious. "To make this work. To prove that I’m all in."
Her breath hitched slightly. "And what if I’m still figuring out what ‘this’ is?"
"Then I’ll wait," he said simply. "For as long as it takes."
She studied him, searching for any sign of hesitation, but found none. "You really mean that, don’t you?"
"Yeah, I do."
A warmth spread through her chest, and for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to hope.
---
But just when things felt like they were falling into place, Olivia received a message that sent her world spinning.
**Unknown Number:** *I thought you should know—Noah isn’t as honest as he claims to be. Ask him about Chicago.*
Her hands trembled as she read it again. Chicago? What was in Chicago?
Noah noticed her sudden shift. "Liv? What’s wrong?"
She hesitated, then turned the screen toward him. "Care to explain?"
His face paled, and just like that, the doubt came rushing back.
"Olivia," he started, but she shook her head.
"No," she said, stepping back. "I need the truth. All of it. Right now."
Noah exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. "It’s not what you think."
"Then tell me what it is."
A long pause stretched between them, tension thick in the air. Finally, he spoke. "Chicago was... complicated."
"That’s not an answer, Noah."
"I know," he admitted. "But if I tell you, I need to know that you’ll hear me out. Completely."
Olivia swallowed hard, bracing herself for whatever was about to come next. "Then start talking."
- Writer
