His Dangerous Love On Ice Chapter 188: Olive's Pov

"Of course I'll help," I said, smiling despite myself. "But JT, are you absolutely sure about this? Because if you propose and she says no, it's going to destroy her. She'll feel terrible about hurting you, and it might ruin your relationship completely."

"She won't say no," JT said with absolute certainty. "I know her, Olive. I know when she's ready for something even if she doesn't want to admit it to herself yet. She's ready for this. I just need to be brave enough to ask."

I felt tears pricking at my eyes because there was something so genuine in his voice, so much love and certainty and hope that I couldn't help but believe him.

"Okay," I said. "Tell me the plan. What time, what restaurant, how do you want this to go?"

"Her birthday dinner is supposed to start at seven," JT explained, speaking faster now like he'd been holding this all in and was finally able to let it out. "At Marcello's—that Italian place she loves in the downtown district. She always books the private room in the back for her birthday. I'm thinking I show up around eight, after you guys have had time to eat and drink and get comfortable. You can tell her it's just a girls' night, keep it casual, don't let her suspect anything."

"And then you just walk in and propose?" I asked.

"And then I walk in with the ring and tell her exactly how I feel," JT confirmed. "In front of all her friends, so she knows this isn't just some impulsive decision—this is me making a public declaration that I want to spend my life with her."

I was quiet for a moment, letting it all sink in.

"This is really happening," I said. "Brenda's getting proposed to next week."

"If you help me make it happen," JT said. "So what do you say, Olive? Will you help me surprise your best friend with the best birthday present of her life?"

I smiled, wiping at my eyes even though he couldn't see me.

"Yes," I said. "Absolutely yes. I'll make sure she's there. I'll make sure she has no idea what's coming. And JT?"

"Yeah?"

"She's lucky to have you," I said honestly. "Really lucky. And I think this is going to be perfect."

"Thank you," JT said, and I could hear the emotion in his voice. "Seriously, thank you. I know this is a lot to ask, especially when you're dealing with your own relationship stuff with the star hockey player Zane, but it means everything that you're willing to help."

The mention of Zane made my stomach twist, but I pushed it away.

"Don't worry about me and Zane," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Just focus on making Brenda the happiest woman alive next week."

"That's the plan," JT said. "Okay, I'll let you get back to your night. And Olive? This stays between us, okay? No one else can know. Not even anyone else at that dinner. Just you."

"I won't say a word," I promised. "Your secret's safe with me."

We said our goodbyes and I ended the call, then just stood there for a moment staring at my phone screen, trying to process everything that had just happened.

Brenda was going to get engaged.

My best friend who'd spent years rolling her eyes at marriage and calling engaged couples "basic" was about to become one of them.

And I was genuinely, truly happy for her—excited even, because JT was right about what he'd seen in her, about those little signs that she was ready for this even if she'd never admit it out loud.

But there was also something bittersweet about it, something that made my chest ache as I thought about how Brenda was moving forward with her life, building something real and lasting with someone who loved her completely, while I was standing in a club avoiding my boyfriend because I was too scared to confront him about the secrets he was keeping.

I took a deep breath and pushed off from the wall, preparing to head back to the VIP section and pretend like nothing monumental had just happened.

As I turned to walk back toward where Brenda and Paloma were waiting, a guy stepped into my path—tall, clearly drunk based on the way he was swaying slightly, with a smile that probably worked on some women but just made me want to roll my eyes.

"Hey beautiful," he slurred, moving closer than was appropriate. "You look like you could use some company."

"I'm good, thanks," I said firmly, trying to step around him.

He moved to block me again, his smile getting wider. "Come on, don't be like that. I saw you standing here alone and thought—"

"I said I'm good," I repeated, my voice getting harder. "So back off. Please."

For a second I thought he might argue, might be one of those guys who couldn't take a hint, but then something in my expression must have convinced him because he held up his hands and stepped back.

"Alright, alright," he said. "No need to be hostile. I was just trying to be friendly."

He walked away and I let out a breath of relief, grateful that for once a drunk guy had actually listened when told to leave me alone.

Maybe things were finally starting to go right tonight.

I was about to head back inside when I heard a voice—too familiar, speaking in rapid Spanish, the tone sharp and angry in a way that made me stop in my tracks.

I couldn't make out the words, couldn't understand what was being said, but the voice itself was one I recognized.

Paloma.

And she didn't sound happy.