Chapter Thirty-Three: Trouble Back in the City

The resort was a dream. The city? A nightmare.

Within five minutes of walking into the office Monday morning, Aria Lane remembered why she usually dreaded work. Fluorescent lights, humming printers, and the distinct scent of overpriced coffee filled the air.

And the worst part?

Trying to act like nothing happened.

Because technically — officially — she and Ethan hadn't told anyone about the whole falling in love by a firepit under the stars thing. Not even Olivia, Aria's best friend and certified gossip queen of the office.

She'd barely made it to her desk before Olivia plopped down in the chair beside her.

"Sooo," Olivia grinned. "How was the resort? Spill."

Aria tried for casual. "It was fine."

"Fine? Lane, you went to a luxury beach resort with Ethan freaking Cole. Alone."

Aria kept typing. "It was work."

"Work doesn't leave hickeys."

Aria's fingers froze on the keyboard.

Olivia cackled. "Gotcha!"

"I hate you."

"You love me. Now spill."

Before Aria could invent a lie, the office door opened, and in strolled Ethan, looking too good for a Monday morning in a sharp gray suit and a smirk that said I know what you're thinking, Lane.

Her stomach flipped.

And of course, Olivia noticed.

"Oh my god," she whispered. "You're in so much trouble."

---

It got worse.

At exactly 10:30 a.m., Ethan's assistant poked her head into Aria's office.

"Hey, Ethan wants to see you in his office."

Aria sighed. "Great."

She followed the assistant down the hall and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

"Can't even give me a day to recover?" she teased.

Ethan grinned from behind his desk. "Missed you."

Her heart did a stupid little somersault.

"Ethan—"

"I know, I know. We're keeping it quiet. But you have to stop looking at me like you did last night or people are going to notice."

"I'm not looking at you like anything."

"You're literally doing it right now."

She glared, crossing her arms. "Fine. I'll be completely indifferent. Cold as ice."

"Good," he said, standing. "Because if you don't stop being cute, I'm going to kiss you in front of everyone."

Her pulse jumped.

He was halfway around the desk when the door swung open.

"Ethan!"

They both jumped apart.

A tall brunette with Ethan's sharp jawline and the same cocky smirk stood in the doorway.

"Chloe?" Ethan blinked. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Chloe Cole, Ethan's little sister.

Aria had seen pictures. The younger Cole sibling was infamous for causing chaos wherever she went.

"Nice to see you too, big brother," Chloe said, strolling in. "And who's this?"

Ethan cleared his throat. "Chloe, this is Aria Lane. Aria, my hurricane of a sister."

Aria smiled. "Nice to meet you."

Chloe grinned, eyes sparkling. "So this is the girl you won't shut up about."

Aria's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

Ethan groaned. "Chloe—"

"Relax," Chloe laughed, dropping into a chair. "It's cute. I like her. And don't worry, I'm excellent at keeping secrets."

Aria's head spun. This was spiraling fast.

"Okay," Ethan said, rubbing a hand over his face. "Why are you here?"

"Needed a break from mom and thought I'd crash at your place for a few days."

Ethan looked like he wanted to die.

Chloe beamed. "Oh, and you should totally come to dinner tonight, Aria. I wanna hear all the embarrassing stuff about my brother."

"I—uh—"

"She's busy," Ethan cut in.

"I'm free," Aria said, a little too smugly.

Ethan glared at her. "Traitor."

Chloe clapped her hands. "Perfect! Seven o'clock. Don't be late."

And with that, she waltzed out of the office like a tornado in designer boots.

Aria grinned. "She's fun."

Ethan groaned. "She's a menace."

---

By lunchtime, half the office was buzzing with rumors. Olivia cornered Aria in the break room.

"Alright, what the hell is going on?"

Aria sighed. "I'll tell you if you swear to keep it quiet."

Olivia mimed zipping her lips. "Sworn."

Aria told her everything. The fights. The firepit. The Nate incident. The confessions.

Olivia's face went through several stages of shock, excitement, and smug satisfaction.

"I freaking knew it!" Olivia cheered. "Lane, this is like a rom-com come to life."

"Keep your voice down!"

"You're living my dream. Office romance. Enemies to lovers. Rich, hot boss. Ugh. If you don't marry him, I will."

Aria laughed. "Not happening."

---

By 4 p.m., Aria was running on coffee and nerves. Chloe had texted her the address for dinner. She wasn't sure what she was walking into, but something told her it wasn't going to be boring.

Ethan appeared in her doorway.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

"I will be after dinner."

He smiled. "She'll love you."

Aria raised a brow. "Oh, so you care if your family likes me now?"

"Shut up."

She grinned, standing. "Come on, Cole. Let's survive this disaster together."

He grabbed her hand — just for a second — and squeezed.

"I wouldn't want to survive it with anyone else."....