The Kiss List

Chapter 18: Unraveling the Past

Olivia woke up the next morning with a lingering warmth in her chest. The gala had been a night to remember, and Noah’s unwavering presence beside her had made it even more special. But as she sat at her kitchen table, sipping on her morning coffee, her mind kept drifting back to Lucas.

There was a time when she had trusted him, when they had shared dreams and ambitions. But somewhere along the way, things had fractured, and she still wasn’t sure who to blame—him or herself. And now, seeing him again had stirred old emotions she had long buried.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a text from Noah.

Noah: Good morning, beautiful. Hope you slept well. How about lunch today?

A smile tugged at her lips as she typed back.

Olivia: Morning. That sounds perfect. Meet me at the café at noon?

Noah: Can’t wait. See you then.

She set her phone down and exhaled. Maybe it was time to put the past to rest once and for all.

---

The café was bustling when Olivia arrived, the scent of fresh bread and coffee filling the air. She spotted Noah at a corner table, already waiting with two cups of coffee.

"You beat me here," she said, sliding into the seat across from him.

He grinned. "I was eager to see you."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Smooth."

As they ate, Noah studied her carefully. "You’ve been quiet. Something on your mind?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "Lucas. Seeing him last night threw me off."

Noah didn’t flinch. "Do you still have feelings for him?"

"No," she said quickly. "It’s not that. It’s just... unfinished business. We never really talked about what happened. And I don’t like loose ends."

He reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Then maybe it’s time you get closure."

---

That evening, Olivia found herself standing in front of Lucas’s office building, nerves fluttering in her stomach. She had texted him earlier, asking if they could meet, and he had agreed.

She took a deep breath and walked inside.

Lucas was already waiting in the conference room, leaning against the window with his arms crossed. "Olivia," he greeted, his tone unreadable. "Didn’t think I’d hear from you so soon."

She sat down across from him. "I just needed to talk. To clear the air."

He nodded. "I get that."

There was a long pause before she spoke again. "Why did we fall apart, Lucas?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because I was too ambitious for my own good. And I let my work take priority over us."

"You pushed me away," she whispered. "And I let you."

"I regret that, Olivia. More than you know." He looked at her, eyes filled with sincerity. "But I see now that you’ve moved on. And I won’t stand in the way of that."

A weight lifted off her chest. "Thank you, Lucas."

As she walked out of the building, she pulled out her phone and dialed Noah’s number.

"Hey," he answered. "How did it go?"

She smiled. "I finally got the closure I needed."

"Good," he said. "Now, let’s focus on us."

And for the first time in a long time, Olivia felt truly free to do just that.