Page 188 of When We Ignite

“What do you mean you’re going to be more careful?” Oliver interrupted.

I glanced at Ethan and then back at him, shrugging slightly. “No more sex in pantries?”

Oliver’s expression hardened, his voice dropping dangerously low. “Why are you talking like you’re going to keepdoingit?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. The option of stopping this with Ethan had left me entirely. I hadn’t even considered lying about that, hadn’t thought to spin some story about how it was a one-time mistake. I just…couldn’t. Not after everything Ethan had been through today. Not after what he’d said.

“It’s not just sex,” Ethan said, stepping forward and placing a hand on my arm. “We want to be together, and it’s okay if no one else can know. We slipped up today—I was having a bad day, and Ash was just trying to make me feel better. It won’t happen again. I know what you heard didn’t help our case, but it’s not just sex.”

Ethan laced his fingers with mine, and Oliver’s gaze dropped to our hands, his expression unreadable. “I love him,” Ethan added softly.

My heart clenched at the quiet conviction in his voice. I tightened my grip on his hand, hoping it conveyed everything I couldn’t say in this moment.

“Oh my God.” Oliver ran a hand through his hair, turning away. “This can’t be fucking happening.”

“Oli.”

He whirled back to face me, his eyes wide with shock.

“The last thing I wanted was to hurt you,” I began. “I know how I’ve been acting, and I’m sorry. I know I’ve let my ego get the best of me, especially where Dad and work are concerned, but that’s not what this is. Ethan and me…this isn’t some ego play to prove I could get him. Iknowthat’s what you’re thinking. And believe me, I’ve tried so fucking hard to fight against this, because I know the consequences. IknewI was going to hurt you. We were going to break it off before the wedding—for you. But I couldn’t do it.”

Oliver stared, his jaw slack.

Ethan squeezed my hand and stepped forward. “I know this probably isn’t the best argument, but hedidbreak it off when you asked him. I pushed him to pick it back up because I really wanted this to work. I’m sorry—I didn’t want to mess up your wedding day. But he’s not selfish. He’s always thinking about the company and about you. He’s not selfish,” Ethan repeated, his voice steady even as his eyes shone with emotion.

He took another step toward Oliver. “And yeah, he can come off as an arrogant ass sometimes?—”

“Ethan—” I tried to cut in, but he shook his head.

“And maybe he is a little self-involved,” Ethan continued, “but that’s only because he’s trying to figure out how to do what’s best for everyone. He forgets he doesn’t have to shoulder it all alone. He trusts you more than anyone, Oli, but his way of protecting you is by taking everything off your plate without even asking if he should.”

I stared at Ethan, stunned. Judging by Oliver’s expression, he was just as floored.

“My point is, we didn’t handle this well. We lied, and we shouldn’t have. But it wasn’t ill-intentioned. I don’t know if that counts for anything, but I thought I’d put it out there,” Ethan finished, his voice softening.

I had no fucking clue how to follow that up. I’d thought Ethan couldn’t possibly surprise me any further, but here he was, laying everything bare. He got it. Hegotme.

Oliver stood silent, his anger simmering down as he took it all in. At least he wasn’t yelling anymore, and for now, that felt like progress.

“Ethan, could you give us a minute?” Oliver asked.

Ethan glanced up at me.

“It’s okay, darling. You should probably get to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow,” I said softly.

He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before turning to Oliver.

“I’m sorry, Oli,” he said before walking away.

I sighed heavily, watching him go.

“Ash.” Oliver’s voice was tight. “What the fuck?”

I let out a humorless chuckle. “I ask myself that daily.”

Oliver shook his head, exhaling sharply. “I don’t even know what to say. Are you twofor realright now? Or are you just lying to get out of a fight?”

I met his gaze, unwavering. “I’m so fucking sorry for everything. I know things between us have been messed up. I was terrified of you coming to work with us because I didn’t want to ruin our relationship, and now…here we are. That’s on me. And this?” I gestured vaguely. “This is definitely on me too.”