CHAPTER 3
1221 Words
Chapter 3: Under the Same Roof
Clara POV
The mysterious text burns in my mind all morning. “I know what you did tonight.” Who could know? Who saw us?
I delete the message and try to forget it. But my hands shake as I make coffee.
"You look tired," Lily says at breakfast. She's already dressed for work, bright and happy. "Did you sleep okay?"
"Fine." I force a smile. "Just thinking about the presentation today."
"You'll do great. You always do." She grabs her purse. "Oh, I forgot to mention - Oliver's cooking dinner tonight. You should stay. His pasta is amazing."
My stomach drops. "I can't. I have plans."
"What plans?"
I scramble for an excuse. "Movie. With... Sarah from work."
"Bring her too! Oliver always makes too much food anyway."
"Really.
"Please?" Lily's eyes are so hopeful. "We barely got to catch up last night. And Oliver never cooks for people. This is special."
Before I can argue more, she's gone. Off to her job at the design firm, leaving me alone with my guilt and that terrible text message.
I spend the day at work trying to focus. But every few minutes, I check my phone. No more strange messages. No word from Oliver either.
Maybe he changed his mind. Maybe he realized how crazy this all is.
The thought should make me happy. Instead, it makes my chest ache.
At six o'clock, I'm standing outside the Carter house again. I told myself I'd make an excuse. Call in sick. Hide at home.
But here I am. Because Lily asked. Because I can't disappoint her.
At least, that's what I tell myself.
Oliver opens the door before I can knock. He's wearing jeans and a black sweater that makes his eyes look darker. Dangerous.
"Clara."
"Hi." I can barely look at him. "Lily said you were cooking."
"I am." He steps back to let me in. His hand brushes my arm as I pass. Just for a second. But it's enough to make my skin burn.
"Where is she?"
"Running late. Client emergency." His voice is careful. Neutral. "She'll be here soon."
We're alone again. Just like last night. The air feels thick and dangerous.
"I should wait outside."
"Why?"
"You know why."
He moves closer. I take a step back and hit the wall.
"We need to talk about what happened," he says.
"Nothing happened."
"Clara." His hand comes up to touch my face. I turn away.
"Don't."
"Why not?"
"Because someone knows." The words spill out before I can stop them. "Someone saw us. They sent me a message."
Oliver goes very still. "What message?"
I showed him my phone. The deleted text is gone, but I remember every word.
"They said they know what we did. That they know how to use it."
"Who sent it?"
"I don't know. The number was blocked."
Oliver's jaw tightens. "It could be anyone. A wrong number. A prank."
"What if it's not?"
"Then we deal with it." He reaches for me again. "Clara, don't let some random text scare you away from this."
"This?" I laugh, but there's no humor in it. "What is this, Oliver? What are we doing?"
"We're falling in love."
"Stop saying that."
"Why? Because it scares you?"
"Because it's not real." I push past him, need space to breathe. "This is just... attraction. Chemistry. It'll pass."
"Will it?" He follows me to the kitchen. "Is that why you can't look at me without blushing? Why do your hands shake when I'm near you?"
My hands are shaking right now. I shove them in my pockets.
"We can't do this to Lily."
"We're not doing anything to Lily. We're doing something for us."
"She's my best friend."
"And she's my sister. Do you think this is easy for me either?"
I turn to face him. "Then why are you pushing this?"
"Because some things are worth fighting for." He moves closer. Slowly. Like I'm a wild animal that might bolt. "Because I've spent three years pretending I don't want you. And I can't do it anymore."
"You have to."
"Do I?" His hand touches my waist. Light as air. "Tell me you don't feel it too. Tell me when I touch you like this, you don't want more."
I can't tell him that. Because it would be a lie.
"Oliver..." His name comes out breathless.
"Tell me you don't think about last night. About how it felt when I."
The front door slams open.
"Sorry I'm late!" Lily's voice echoes through the house. "Traffic was insane!"
We jump apart like we've been burned. Oliver turns to the stove, stirring pasta sauce that doesn't need stirring. I grab a glass of water with shaking hands.
"Smells amazing here!" Lily bounces into the kitchen, all energy and smiles. She kisses Oliver's cheek, then hugs me. "I'm so glad you stayed."
"Me too," I lied.
Dinner is another kind of torture. Oliver sits across from me, close enough to touch but worlds away. Every time he passes me something, our fingers brush. Every time he speaks, I feel it in my bones.
Lily chatters about work, about weekend plans, about everything except the tension crackling between her brother and her best friend.
"More wine?" Oliver asks, already reaching for my glass.
"I shouldn't."
"Come on," Lily says. "It's Friday night. Live a little."
Our eyes meet across the table. There's something dark and hungry in his gaze that makes my stomach flip.
"Just a little," I whisper.
He pours the wine, and his thumb brushes my knuckles. Such a small touch. But it sets my whole body on fire.
"I'll be right back," Lily says, standing up. "Bathroom."
The moment she's gone, the air changes. Get heavier. More dangerous.
"You're driving me crazy," Oliver says quietly.
"Good." The word slips out before I can stop it.
He smiles. Slow and wicked. "Is that your plan? Drive me crazy until I do something stupid?"
"Like what?"
"Like this." He reaches across the table and takes my hand. His thumb traces my palm, and I have to bite my lip to keep from making a sound.
"Oliver, she'll be back any second."
"I know." But he doesn't let go. "I can't stop thinking about you, Clara. About last night. About what I want to do to you."
Heat floods my cheeks. Other places too.
"Stop."
"Make me."
Before I can respond, before I can pull away or give in, my phone buzzes on the table.
Another text. From the same blocked number.
*Enjoying dinner? You look cozy. Both of you.*
My blood turns to ice. Oliver reads the message over my shoulder and goes very still.
"They're watching us," I whisper.
"Right now?"
I look around the dining room. The windows face the street. Anyone could be out there in the dark, looking in.
"We have to tell Lily," I say.
"Tell me what?"
We both spin around. Lily stands in the doorway, looking curious and concerned.
"Everything okay? You both look like you've seen a ghost."
I stare at her. My best friend. The person I love most in the world. How do I tell her that her brother and I... that we...
My phone buzzes again. Another message.
*Tell her now, or I will.
- Writer
