Chapter 1
-Olivia-
Clutching my phone tightly, I strode toward the figure in the distance, who was leaning against a tree to escape the harsh sun. It was Jake, waiting for me. As he spotted me, his face lit up, and he waved enthusiastically. I returned the gesture cautiously, bracing myself for what I needed to ask him.
As I approached, he enveloped me in a warm hug, and I couldn’t help but notice how nice he smelled. Perhaps it was just my longing for connection and affection. He pulled back, still smiling, his blue eyes sparkling with happiness as they met mine.
“So, are you finally going to tell me why you called me here?” he inquired, gesturing to the familiar park where we had spent much of our childhood.
“Yes,” I replied, but I knew Jake caught my nervous twitch and the subtle shift in my posture.
“Are you all right, Olivia?”
“Yes,” I stammered, my fingers unconsciously tracing the cross around my neck.
“What’s on your mind?” he pressed.
“I... I need a favor,” I finally admitted.
“A favor? You called me here just for that? We’ve known each other since we were in diapers,” he teased, his smile widening, revealing his dimples.
“Exactly,” I said. “Some things are better said face to face.”
“Sounds serious,” he teased, nudging me playfully.
“Just... I know you’re involved with someone right now.”
“Not really.”
“What?” I was taken aback.
“She sort of cheated on me already,” he explained.
“That quickly? You two just made it official last week.”
“Looks like it wasn’t me she was interested in, but one of my friends,” he sighed.
“Oh, Jake, I’m so sorry,” I sympathized, but he brushed it off.
“It’s not a big deal.”
“At least you managed to make it official. I can’t even get past a few dates. I’m twenty and still haven’t been in a relationship.”
“Don’t worry. The right person will come along,” he reassured me.
“It’s happened again. We sleep together, and then suddenly, I’m not even worth a text.”
Jake looked at me with sympathy, but I shook my head.
“Actually, that’s not what I wanted to talk about,” I confessed.
“Are you sure?” he teased. “You look like you’re about to punch someone.”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Then why am I here?”
Taking a deep breath, I reached for his hand, a gesture we’d shared countless times before, but this time, it felt more significant. I knew Jake could see the desperation in my eyes as he drew back, looking at me with surprise.
“Will you be my boyfriend?” I asked.
“WHAT?”
