Norah Fisher slid into the passenger seat beside Jamie Olson, her tone carrying a note of apology. "Thanks for stepping in back there."
She wanted Jamie to know she had no intention of getting tangled up with Lionel Ross anymore. Even after fifteen years of holding onto feelings for him, she wasn't the type to hang on once things shifted. Lionel's heart wasn't in it anymore, and she wasn't about to cling to the past.
Besides, she'd already given their relationship another shot.
"No worries at all," Jamie replied, flashing a slight, teasing smile. His warm grin brought out the striking angles of his face—an intriguing mix that made it impossible for Norah to hold his gaze. She quickly averted her eyes and switched topics. "What brings you to town?"
Maximo Olson popped into her head, and she studied Jamie a little more carefully. Same last name—could they be related?
"I'm here on business. In a city like this, exploring new opportunities is the smart move," Jamie said, clearing things up before she could wonder any further.
Whether Jamie was tied to Maximo or not didn't matter much to her. Sure, she and Jamie had known each other since they were kids, but they hadn't kept in touch over the years. She liked him well enough, but that didn't mean she was about to dig into his past.
"Where to?" Jamie's voice cut through her thoughts. She blinked, realizing the car was already moving.
"I'm meeting some friends at a bar. Want to tag along?" Norah asked, more out of courtesy than anything.
Jamie had gotten her out of a tight spot twice now, after all.
"Sure!" Jamie accepted so quickly that Norah blinked. She'd only meant to be polite, but clearly he took the invitation seriously.
When they walked into the bar, Elia Dean and Matthew Spencer were already there. Their eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of Jamie with Norah, the shock written all over both of their faces.
Norah made the introductions. "This is Jamie Olson. He stayed with us for a year when we were kids."
"Jamie, this is my best friend Elia and her boyfriend Matthew."
"Hello," Jamie greeted them warmly.
Elia waved, though her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hi."
Matthew didn't answer, eyeing Jamie with a hint of suspicion. As Lionel's close friend, he wasn't exactly eager to welcome someone who might take Lionel's place.
Jamie didn't seem fazed by Matthew's cold shoulder.
"Norah, what would you like to drink? I'll get it for you," Jamie offered.
"I'll have an espresso martini," Norah said.
"Got it." Jamie nodded and headed for the bar.
Once he was out of earshot, Elia leaned in. "What's going on? Did you seriously get a new boyfriend already?"
"He's not my boyfriend," Norah said, a little annoyed. "I told you, we knew each other as kids. I'm not looking to date anybody right now."
Elia studied her carefully. "You still haven't let go of Lionel, have you? After everything, please tell me you're not serious."
"Do you really think I'm the kind of person who can't move on?" Norah shot back.
Elia let out a relieved sigh. "Good. I was worried you were still hung up on that jerk."
"Ahem…" Matthew coughed. "I'm still here, you know."
Even as Lionel's friend, he couldn't honestly deny what they were saying.
"Yeah, you're here. And I'd say it to Lionel's face," Elia declared.
Matthew had nothing to say to that.
Norah cut in before things could go any further. "Okay, let's not let my drama ruin our night. No more Lionel talk."
"Norah, are you really breaking things off with Lionel?" Matthew asked, picking up on the firmness in her tone.
Norah let out a soft chuckle. "When have I ever not meant what I said?"
Matthew was about to answer, but Jamie came back with the drinks, cutting him off.
"Here's your drink." Jamie handed Norah her glass.
Norah accepted it, frowning a little. "I ordered an espresso martini. This is a light fruit spritzer."
"The espresso martini you wanted is pretty strong, and you can't handle that," Jamie said casually, his tone part concerned, part teasing.
Everyone caught the undertone in that exchange—everyone except Norah.
Elia and Matthew, though, definitely sensed something simmering.
Norah took a sip of the spritzer. "It's not very strong. I like my cocktails with a little more kick."
"Try mine. It's stronger." Jamie offered her his glass and leaned in closer.
The low lights, the soft music, his close presence—it all made the moment feel a little too intimate.
When Norah met Jamie's gaze, a sudden wave of discomfort rushed through her and she looked away. "It's fine. I'll stick with this. It's good."
With Jamie and Lionel both in the picture, Norah and Elia felt a bit boxed in. After a couple of drinks and some small talk, they decided to call it a night.
"How are you getting home, Norah? Need a ride?" Matthew asked once they were outside.
It wasn't exactly Norah he was worried about. He didn't like how close she and Jamie were getting. There was no way he could just stand by and let his friend end up in an awkward spot.
Norah waved him off, looping her arm through Jamie's. "No need. We live in the same place, so I'll ride with Jamie."
Even with a low-alcohol blueberry spritzer, Norah was feeling a slight buzz.
She'd never been able to hold her liquor well. She'd snuck drinks with Elia plenty of times, even though Lionel disapproved. Eventually, Lionel's disapproval had been enough to make her stop altogether.
Once Vivienne came back, Lionel stopped worrying about her at all.
One night, Norah had deliberately ordered a strong cocktail and kept drinking until she was way past tipsy. Lionel's only reaction had been cold disdain. "You can't hold your liquor, so why drink that much?"
That was the moment she understood the caring, loving Lionel was gone for good. Their relationship was truly over.
"We live together?"
Elia and Matthew exchanged surprised glances.
Jamie said his goodbyes and led Norah away.
Matthew moved to stop them, but Elia caught his arm. "What are you doing?"
"Aren't you worried about them being alone together?"
"Not even a little. Jamie seems like a decent guy—way better than that jerk Lionel," Elia said frankly. She already had a good impression of Jamie.
Matthew sighed. "Better than Lionel? How exactly?"
"Well, he's definitely better looking," Elia shot back, leaving Matthew completely without a comeback.
