Chapter 83

OLIVIA My back slammed against the cold mirror behind me. Noah’s palm pressed against my shoulder blades, and the contrast of his heat against the chill of the glass scattered my thoughts. His touch, so familiar, stirred memories—memories I had long tried to bury. We had done it in the bathroom that one night—though it was just a one-night stand, it felt like we had done it countless times. Every position, every touch, every moment was burned into my mind, each one more intense and haunting than the last. The steam from the shower surrounded us as he pinned me against the wall, wedged between the shower and the sink. It was as if Noah always preferred to be behind me in moments like this, avoiding my face as if it made him uneasy. I felt small, insignificant—my heart heavy with sadness. He kept the lights off, every single time, as though seeing me in the light would ruin the illusion of what this was. I would be lying if I said it didn’t hurt—if I didn’t feel the sting of rejection ev