Chapter 148
Aria’s POV –
Lucas entered looking different somehow. Lighter. His usual confident swagger was there, but there was something softer in his expression, something almost—happy.
“Aria.” He smiled, and it reached his eyes. “Thank you for seeing me p>
“Sit.” I gestured to the chair across from my desk. “Want coffee p>
“No, I’m good.” He sat, and we looked at each other for a moment. “You look happy. Really happy p>
“I am.” I felt myself smile. “Damien and I are—we’re good. Really good. We’re taking things slow, dating properly before the wedding p>
“That’s great.” And he sounded like he meant it. “He’s treating you well p>
“He is.” I leaned back in my chair. “Lucas, what’s this about? You didn’t come here just to check on my relationship status p>
“No.” He ran a hand through his hair, suddenly looking nervous. “I came to apologize. Properly apologize. And to—to say goodbye, I guess p>
“Goodbye?” Concern flickered through me. “Are you leaving Ravenwood p>
“No, nothing like that.” He smiled. “I meant—goodbye to whatever this was between us. The flirting, the possibility, the—I don’t know. The idea that maybe we could be something p>
“Oh.” I wasn’t sure what to say. “Lucas”
“Let me finish.” He held up a hand. “Please. I’ve been practicing this and I’ll lose my nerve if I don’t say it now p>
“Okay.” I settled in to listen.
“When I first met you at that business conference, you fascinated me.” His voice was thoughtful, nostalgic. “This brilliant, beautiful woman who’d had an empire. You were fierce and vulnerable and so damn smart it was intimidating.” He paused. “I thought maybe we could be something. That maybe I could be the one to make you happy p>
“Lucas”
“But then I saw you with him.” He continued, his voice soft. “At the gala, the way you looked at Damien. The way he looked at you. And Aria, that’s real love. The kind of love that survives everything, that chooses each other despite the odds, that builds something unbreakable. And I—” He smiled ruefully. “I realized I never had a chance. Not really. Because you were always his, even when you hated him p>
“I don’t know what to say.” My throat was tight. “I never meant to hurt you p>
“You didn’t.” He leaned forward. “You were always honest with me. You never made promises you couldn’t keep. And Aria, seeing you now, seeing how happy you are—I’m glad. Genuinely glad. You deserve it p>
“Thank you.” I blinked back unexpected tears. “That means a lot p>
“And there’s something else.” His whole face transformed, lighting up with barely contained excitement. “Something I need to tell you. About why I’m really here, why I’m officially closing the door on whatever might have been between us p>
“What?” I asked, curious about this sudden shift.
“I’m dating someone.” The words tumbled out fast, like he’d been holding them in. “Someone amazing and brilliant and so far out of my league it’s ridiculous. And Aria, I’m—I’m in love with her. Really, truly in love in a way I’ve never been before p>
“Lucas, that’s wonderful!” I felt genuine happiness bloom. “Who is she p>
“Well.” He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking nervous. “That’s the thing. It’s someone you know. Someone close to you. And I wanted to make sure it was okay before I—before we go public with it p>
My mind raced through possibilities, and then it clicked. The way his gaze had kept drifting to Olivia at the gala. The way he’d stammered when she’d walked by. The way he’d asked about her so casually afterward.
“Olivia,” I said.
His face confirmed it before he spoke. “Yes. Olivia. Your best friend, your person, and Aria” He stopped. “I know this might be weird. I know I pursued you first and now I’m with your best friend, but I swear it’s not some kind of p>
“Lucas.” I held up a hand, then started laughing. “Oh my god, Olivia never said anything! How long has this been going on p>
“A few weeks.” He grinned, relieved. “It started at the gala, actually. I went over to talk to her to build up courage to approach her properly, and we talked for hours. And then I asked her to coffee, and then dinner, and—” He stopped. “Aria, she’s incredible. The way her mind works, her sense of humor, how she doesn’t take any of my shit. She challenges me and supports me and makes me want to be better. And I” His voice cracked slightly. “I’m completely gone for her p>
“Does she feel the same way?” I asked, already knowing the answer. Olivia had been acting different lately—lighter, happier, constantly on her phone texting someone.
“She says she does.” Wonder filled his voice. “She says I make her happy. That I’m funny and kind and—I don’t know. She sees me, you know? Not Lucas Hayes the CEO or the playboy or whatever reputation I have. Just—me p>
“That’s how you know it’s real,” I said softly. “When someone sees past all the armor to who you actually are p>
“Like you and Damien.” He nodded. “Yeah. And Aria, I want to do this right. With Olivia. No games, no playing it cool, just—being honest about what I want. Which is why I’m here. To make sure you’re okay with this. To get your blessing, I guess p>
“You don’t need my blessing.” I stood, coming around the desk. “But you have it anyway. Lucas, if you make Olivia happy—and clearly you do—then I’m thrilled for both of you p>
He stood too, looking relieved. “Really? Because I know our history is complicated p>
“Our history is friendship.” I cut him off. “You were there for me when I came back to Ravenwood. You were kind and supportive when I needed it. And Lucas, I want you to be happy. If Olivia makes you happy” I grinned. “Then I’m ecstatic. Though I am going to kill her for not telling me p>
“I asked her not to.” He admitted. “I wanted to talk to you first. Make sure it wasn’t weird before we went public p>
“It’s not weird.” I hugged him impulsively. “It’s perfect. You two are perfect together p>
He hugged me back, then pulled away with a smile. “So, you won’t destroy me for dating your best friend p>
“Only if you hurt her.” My voice turned serious. “Olivia is my person, Lucas. She’s been with me through everything. And if you break her heart p>
“I won’t.” His voice was firm. “Aria, I promise you—I’m going to treat her like the queen she is. She deserves nothing less p>
“Good answer.” I smiled. “So, when are you going to make it official? Tell everyone you’re together p>
“Actually” He pulled out a small velvet box from his pocket, and my jaw dropped. “I’m planning to propose. Soon. Like, this weekend soon p>
“Lucas!” I grabbed the box, opening it to reveal a stunning emerald ring surrounded by diamonds. “This is gorgeous! And fast! You’ve only been together a few weeks p>
“I know.” He took the box back carefully. “But Aria, when you know, you know. And I know. Olivia is it for me. The one. And I don’t want to waste time pretending otherwise or playing games. I want to marry her, build a life with her, grow old with her. So” He looked at me nervously. “Do you think she’ll say yes p>
“Are you kidding?” I laughed. “She’s going to scream yes so loud the whole city will hear p>
“Yeah?” Hope lit up his face.
“Yeah.” I felt tears prick my eyes. “Lucas, she loves you. I can see it in the way she talks about you, the way she lights up when her phone buzzes. You make her happy in a way I’ve never seen before p>
“She makes me happy too.” His voice was thick with emotion. “Makes me want to be the man she sees when she looks at me. Better, kinder, more honest. And Aria” He stopped. “Thank you. For understanding. For being happy for us. For—for everything p>
“Thank you for taking care of my best friend.” I hugged him again. “And Lucas? For what it’s worth—you’re going to make an amazing husband. Any woman would be lucky to have you. But especially Olivia p>
“I’m the lucky one.” He pulled back, smiling. “Trust me p>
After he left, I immediately grabbed my phone.
Me: My office. Now. We need to talk.
Olivia: I’m in a meeting!
Me: I don’t care. Get here or I’m coming to you and making a scene.
Olivia:…on my way.
She burst into my office an hour later, looking guilty and nervous.
“Before you say anything” she started.
“LUCAS HAYES?!” I shrieked, then started laughing at her expression. “You’re dating Lucas Hayes and you didn’t tell me p>
“He wanted to talk to you first!” She closed the door quickly. “To make sure it wasn’t weird since he kind of pursued you and then—wait, are you mad p>
“Mad?” I pulled her into a hug. “I’m ecstatic! Liv, he’s in love with you! Like, crazy in love! He just left here and he couldn’t stop talking about how amazing you are p>