When Contracts Turn to Forbidden Kisses Chapter 126

Amelia

The next day, I unexpectedly received a lunch invitation from Noah.

I smoothed my dress nervously as Ethan guided me through Black Rose Restaurant with his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. The maître d' led us to a private dining room in the back, bowing slightly before opening the ornate wooden door.

Noah and Olivia were already waiting, sitting close on one side of the table. Noah's arm was draped casually around Olivia's shoulders as he whispered something in her ear that made her giggle and blush. I couldn't help but smile at how happy my best friend looked.

"Finally!" Noah exclaimed, jumping to his feet with characteristic enthusiasm. "The guests of honor have arrived!"

My eyes widened as I took in the ridiculous amount of food already covering the table—appetizers, sushi platters, seafood towers, and several dishes I couldn't even identify.

"Did you order the entire menu?" I asked, counting at least thirty-two different dishes.

Ethan surveyed the excessive spread with a raised eyebrow. "Eat what you can and take the rest home. Perhaps you need a refresher course on the virtues of not wasting food."

Noah just grinned, completely unaffected by Ethan's criticism. "What's the point of owning restaurants if you can't indulge occasionally?" He pulled out chairs for us with a flourish. "Besides, today is special!"

Once we were seated, Noah immediately raised his sparkling water glass. I noticed a slight tremor in his hand—something I'd never seen from the usually confident Noah Randall.

"Today I invited you all here because I wanted to officially announce that Olivia has agreed to be my girlfriend," he declared, his voice uncharacteristically earnest.

Olivia's cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she smiled shyly, eyes sparkling with happiness.

"It's about time," I said sincerely, reaching across to squeeze her hand. After watching Olivia go through a string of terrible relationships with self-absorbed actors, seeing her with someone who genuinely cared was refreshing.

"Never thought you'd actually make it to official status," Ethan smirked, raising his glass. "Your 'trial period' performance must have exceeded expectations."

Noah laughed loudly. "Rich coming from you, Mr. I-had-to-marry-her-to-get-a-date."

We fell into easy conversation as we sampled the excessive array of food. When a platter of jumbo shrimp arrived, Ethan casually picked one up and began peeling it for me.

"You eat. I'll handle this so you don't get your hands messy," he said matter-of-factly, but the tenderness in his eyes told a different story.

Noah immediately grabbed a shrimp and began awkwardly mimicking Ethan's actions for Olivia. "Don't look so impressed," he told her. "I can be thoughtful too."

Olivia shot me a smug look. "See? I've got someone taking care of me now too."

I rolled my eyes playfully, but couldn't help feeling happy for her. The four of us continued eating and chatting, with Noah dramatically recounting his "epic" pursuit of Olivia.

"The first time I asked her out, she literally pretended not to hear me and walked away," Noah lamented. "I had to ask seven times before she agreed to coffee!"

"It was three times," Olivia corrected, "and I only said yes because you were blocking my trailer door on set."

"You know," Noah said, refilling everyone's glasses, "I've actually had a crush on Olivia for years. I even wanted to join you guys on that Boston trip, but—"

I noticed Ethan shoot Noah a warning glance, his body suddenly tense.

"Noah, how's the production on your new film coming along?" I quickly interjected, sensing something I didn't understand. "Olivia mentioned you're working with that director everyone's talking about."

Olivia glanced between Ethan and Noah curiously, clearly catching the weird vibe, but thankfully she followed my lead into the new conversation.

After lunch, we walked toward the parking lot together. I pulled Olivia back slightly, letting the men walk ahead.

"My uncle Benjamin and his family are coming to New York tomorrow," I told her. "Could you come with me to pick them up at the airport?"

"Daniel's coming too?" Olivia asked excitedly, then lowered her voice. "Have you told him about you and Ethan getting back together?"

I shook my head slightly. "Not yet. I need to figure out how to explain everything first."

"Probably smart," Olivia agreed. "If my brother knew about me and Noah, he'd absolutely kill me."

"Wait—you haven't told Julian yet?" I asked, surprised.

"I, um, sort of forgot," she admitted sheepishly. "When I told my mom, he was away on business."

I noticed Ethan had stopped walking and was looking back at us, his expression darkening at the mention of Julian's name. "We should get going," he called, his tone suddenly curt.

"Find a good time to tell Julian," I advised Olivia before we parted ways.

In the car, Ethan helped me with my seatbelt, his movements stiffer than usual. The atmosphere felt tense as he pulled out of the parking lot, his jaw clenched slightly.

"What's wrong?" I finally asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

He drove for several minutes before responding. "You were talking about Julian back there?"

"Yes," I explained carefully. "Olivia hasn't told him about her relationship with Noah yet."

Ethan's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "You two seem close."

I couldn't help but laugh at his transparent jealousy. "Are you actually jealous of Julian Bennett?"

"Of course not," he denied immediately, but his tone betrayed him.

I gently placed my hand over his. "Julian only sees me as a sister figure, Ethan. There's nothing for you to worry about."

Ethan abruptly pulled over to the curb and shifted to face me. "Three years ago, I was insanely jealous of Julian," he admitted, his voice low and intense. "Now you're mine alone."

Before I could respond, he leaned across the console and captured my lips in a possessive kiss that made my heart race and my thoughts scatter. His hand cupped the back of my neck, drawing me closer as the kiss deepened, leaving no doubt about exactly how he felt.