The silence between them was thick as they settled into the vehicle. The engine roared to life, breaking the stillness of the moment. The streetlights outside cast a soft glow in the car as they embarked on the drive. Each passing second only seemed to amplify the unspoken tension between them. As they drove through the city streets, June stole glances at him, searching for some glimpse of what he might be thinking. But his expression remained stoic, his gaze was on the road ahead. It was as if he erected a wall around himself. June's hands fidgeted, hating that she was bad at comforting people. Her mind ramped ahead with thoughts of what to say. Should she crack a silly joke? Or tell him her father, when he was alive was also a piece of shit who exploited her and her older brother? Not to judge but anyone could tell from a mile away that Ollie’s father wasn’t a good one. Because who talks to their son like that? Besides that, he rubbed on her the wrong way. She cussed under her br

“Isn’t it weird?” June said, sliding her back against the wall. Her frustration soared to the heights of Mount Everest.“What?” Ollie briefly diverted his gaze from the cat he was tending to, casting a glance at her before returning his attention to it. She pointed her index finger at him “That you’re the one good with the animals and not me.” Then aimed the finger back at her own chest. A wisp of laughter escaped his lips, dancing upon the air like a melody, almost melting her pent-up frustration. Emphasis on almost, because she caught herself quickly and continued. “If the cats should like anyone it should be me. So why you and not me?”When Ollie informed her that they were coming to the shelter as planned with David and Gab, June was over and beyond excited. Right now, not so much. The cats had only snarled at her ever since they arrived while they had been so lovey and jumpy on Ollie. She wasn’t mad at all. It just seemed all ridiculous to her that grumpy Ollie was good wit

Ollie cocked his eyebrows in confusion. “How dare you make me dress like this to a place like this?” Mere looking at the restaurant, she could tell it was the type that demanded cocktail dresses, dinner gowns, shiny pieces of jewelry, and expensive perfumes. And she missed all the point marks. ”You always look beautiful, no matter what you wear,” he said casually as if it were a known fact, and she was supposed to be aware of it. She took a deep breath as they stepped into the grand restaurant. It was the most extravagant place she had ever been to, and she looked so out of place in jeans and a sweater. “I hate you for doing this to me,” she muttered through gritted teeth to Ollie as a man in a tailored suit and a large mole on his nose approached them. “Guess I’ll have to remind you every minute that you’re beautiful, regardless of what you’re wearing,” he teased, and she playfully shoved him aside just as the man arrived. The man extended his arms with a gracious smile. “Mr.

“You okay?” Ollie asked her for the nth time. As if he could sense something was wrong with her. He hadn’t stopped questioning her ever since she came back.She let out a sigh and clutched her stomach, desperately holding back tears.“Yes. I’m fine.” She said stiffly, hoping he would drop it. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her being her pathetic self over yet another person's negative opinion of her. Was it though? Or was it just the truth about her?A few minutes went by before Ollie gently wrapped his fingers around her chin, guiding her face towards him and meeting her eyes with his own intense gaze.“Don’t tell me you’re fine when I can see through you. I know something is wrong so now start talking.”This. She hated how she was such a transparent glass. She was pathetic and she was terrible at hiding it.She slipped her chin from the iron grip of his fingers.“I’m fine.”He seized her chin again.“No, you’re not.”She curled her leg inward and clutched her stomach a

If he knew a picture of June in a wedding dress could fulfill his every desire, he would have had her wear it ages ago. Her beauty was so captivating that he could gaze at her endlessly. The moment his eyes landed on the picture, it ensnared him, and he found himself unable to look away.“You’re smiling,” Logan said as if as a question. Ollie fixed the smile on his face. He hadn’t realized he’d been smiling at June’s picture. “Oh, my god.” With a high-pitched tone, Logan said. “Oh, my god. It’s the apocalypse! Ollie is smiling. It’s the end of the world, Max.” His voice progressed into a shriek. “It’s the end of the world.” Ollie raised his head. “Quit being dramatic. I’m not some sadist who never smiles.” Logan stared him dead in the eyes. “You’re a sadist. I’ve never seen you smile before. Well, except now which is terrifying.” “That’s a lie. I do smile.” Ollie said. Then looked at Max. He was focused on the distant flag. “Don’t look at me.” Fucker. Logan grinned mischievous