Chapter 30 - Telling Everyone ♡︎

Olive sat between Jackie and Parker, her hands folded neatly in her lap, doing her best not to make eye contact with anyone in particular. She was still replaying last night in her head—the rain, Cole's confession, the way he had looked at her as if she were the only person in the world. Her cheeks burned every time she thought about it.

Jackie leaned close, bumping Olive's shoulder and whispering, "Relax. You're acting like you just robbed a bank."

Olive shot her a wide-eyed look, whispering back, "I'm trying!"

Jackie grinned, her voice low but teasing. "Just breathe. Nobody knows." She paused, eyes flicking toward Cole sitting across the table. "Well, except him."

Cole was slouched back in his chair, still half-damp from his morning shower, hair messy and eyes impossibly green. He was pretending to scroll on his phone, but his gaze kept lifting toward Olive every few seconds. He wasn't even subtle about it.

Nathan noticed first. "Okay," he said slowly, lowering his fork, "what's up with you two?"

Everyone's attention shifted immediately. Olive stiffened. Jackie muttered under her breath, "Here we go."

Isaac leaned forward, smirking. "Yeah, seriously. You two have been making eyes at each other all morning. It's like a Hallmark movie over there."

Olive's heart jumped into her throat. "W-we're not!" she stammered, waving her hands nervously. "We're just... eating breakfast!"

Parker—who had been watching with a grin—snorted. "Sure you are. You've been blushing since you sat down, Olive."

Olive's face went redder. "I—it's just warm in here!" she said quickly, fumbling for her glass of orange juice. She took a sip, only to choke a little when Cole chuckled quietly. Jackie reached over and patted her back, whispering, "Smooth, Ollie."

Isaac crossed his arms, grinning. "Okay, something's definitely going on. I can feel it."

Cole looked up from his phone finally, that easy, confident smirk tugging at his lips. "You really want to know what's going on?" he asked casually, his tone cool but his eyes steady on Olive.

Nathan raised a brow. "Uh, yeah, that's kind of why we're asking."

Jackie immediately tensed beside Olive, whispering, "Cole, don't—"

But he didn't listen. He set his phone down and leaned forward, his voice calm but certain. "I'm in love with Olive."

The entire table went silent.

Katherine froze mid-motion, the spatula hovering in the air. George lowered his paper. Danny's jaw dropped. Nathan blinked. Parker's mouth fell open, and Isaac immediately let out a loud, disbelieving laugh that quickly died when he realized Cole wasn't joking.

Olive sat frozen, her pulse roaring in her ears. "C–Cole!" she squeaked, her voice trembling. "You can't just say that in front of everyone!"

Cole just shrugged, completely unfazed. "Why not? It's true."

Jackie groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "You seriously couldn't wait five minutes? You had to do this now?"

Cole's lips twitched in the faintest smirk. "Didn't seem like there'd ever be a 'good time' with this crowd."

Katherine finally found her voice, turning from the stove. "Cole," she said gently but firmly, "that's a very big thing to say."

George nodded, looking between them. "Maybe this conversation belongs somewhere else, not between the eggs and bacon."

Isaac broke the silence first, muttering under his breath, "Well, that explains everything."

Parker laughed softly, shaking her head. "Oh my god. You guys are actually a thing."

Olive's blush deepened. "We're not—well, I mean, not technically—" she stammered, trailing off when Cole looked at her with that soft, certain smile.

Jackie sighed, muttering, "You two are impossible," before giving Olive a knowing side glance that said I already knew, but wow, this is chaos.

The rest of breakfast was filled with stunned laughter, teasing, and whispered commentary. But through all of it, Cole kept stealing glances at Olive. Each time their eyes met, her stomach flipped and her chest felt too tight. She couldn't believe how bold he'd been—but she also couldn't stop smiling.___

The kitchen had quieted down after the whirlwind of breakfast, the chatter of the Walter boys fading into the distance as they scattered off to do their usual weekend things. The sound of plates clinking and running water filled the air as Olive stood by the sink, carefully rinsing dishes while Katherine dried them beside her. The air smelled faintly of maple syrup and fresh coffee, and soft sunlight poured through the wide windows, painting everything gold. Jackie was sitting on the counter, swinging her legs lightly, humming to herself as she helped stack the clean dishes.

"Olive, sweetheart," Katherine said after a few moments, her voice gentle and motherly, "you really don't have to help clean up. You're our guest, remember?"

Olive looked up quickly and shook her head, a shy little smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, I don't mind," she said softly, her voice light but sincere. "I actually like helping. It feels... nice."

Jackie leaned against the counter, drying plates. "She insists on helping even when she's exhausted," Jackie teased lightly, looking between Olive and Katherine with a fond smile.

Katherine paused a moment, watching Olive work with careful, nervous precision. Her expression softened. "Olive," she said after a beat, "can I ask you something?"

Olive turned, a little startled by the seriousness in her tone. "Um—sure?"

Katherine glanced briefly toward the open doorway, where the sound of laughter floated in from the living room — Cole's voice, unmistakable. "Is this what you really want?" Katherine asked gently. "Being with Cole?"

Olive's eyes widened a bit, then softened. She hesitated, fingers fiddling with the edge of a towel. "I... I think so," she said quietly. "He makes me feel—safe. And seen. And... like I'm finally not just the quiet girl anymore."

Jackie watched her closely, torn between affection and concern. "Olive," she said softly, setting a plate down, "you know Cole isn't exactly... simple."

Olive smiled faintly. "I know. But I don't want simple."

Before either woman could reply, the back door creaked open — and in walked Cole, his hair still damp from the shower, a teasing grin on his face. "You three hiding from the rest of us in here?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Jackie rolled her eyes. "We're cleaning up. You could help."

Cole smirked. "I could. But I'd probably just get in Olive's way."

Olive blushed immediately and ducked her head. "You already are," she murmured under her breath, barely audible.

Cole chuckled, stepping closer. Without hesitation, he reached out and gently tilted her chin up with his finger. "Hey, tiny," he said, voice warm and low, his green eyes glinting.

Jackie groaned under her breath but there was amusement behind it. "Cole, seriously?"

Cole just smiled, kissed Olive's cheek — light but deliberate — and then sauntered toward the doorway. "What?" he said over his shoulder, smirking. "I'm just saying hey."

Katherine and Jackie exchanged looks, both sighing — half exasperation, half affection.

When he disappeared down the hall, Jackie looked back at Olive, who stood frozen, cheeks flushed red as the strawberries on the counter.

"Welcome to life with the Walter boys," Jackie said dryly.

Katherine laughed softly, shaking her head as she rinsed another dish. "That's Cole for you," she murmured. Then, looking at Olive's dreamy, flustered face, she smiled. "And you, sweetheart, have him wrapped around your little finger."