From a Wrong Turn to Mr. Right novel Chapter 35

After dropping her harsh words, Lavinia Bennett strode off without a backward glance.

Olivia Bennett lingered for a moment, clutching the book in her hands. She flipped open the cover and her eyes landed on a familiar scrawl.

It was a phrase she’d stumbled across online one night, liked so much that she’d scribbled it down for herself.

Back then, writing it had filled her with a quiet thrill. Now, reading it again, it just felt bitterly ironic.

She must have been blind, she thought, to ever put Daniel Gill and the full moon in the same sentence. Comparing him to something so pure was an insult to the moon.

Her calm heart rippled with a faint ache all over again.

By the time she’d collected herself, she was standing at her front door.

She dug out her keys and let herself in.

The apartment was empty and quiet, but the familiar layout and the comforting mess made her feel right at home.

She tossed the book onto the sofa, wandered into her bedroom, and collapsed face-first into the soft bed, letting her eyes drift shut.

She had no idea how long she’d slept before the melodic chime of her phone cut through the silence.

Half asleep, Olivia cracked one eye open, fumbled for her phone, and hit answer.

“Where are you?”

The low, smooth voice on the other end was almost soothing, even through the phone. Olivia’s drowsiness faded instantly.

“At home,” she replied, then added, “Harrisburg.”

“Did I wake you?”

Olivia pushed herself up, her mind clearing even though her voice was still scratchy with sleep. “No, I was getting up anyway.”

There was a pause, then he said, “I’ll come pick you up.”

Olivia’s lips curled into a small smile. “Alright. I’ll grab a few things to bring over.”

She hung up, washed her face, and started packing.

It didn’t take long—she mostly just needed some clothes.

The car rolled smoothly down the wide avenue, the quiet hum of the engine the only sound between them.

Ethan kept his eyes on the road as he asked, “How’s the studio coming along?”

“Almost done,” Olivia replied, a genuine smile lighting up her face. “We’re just about ready to reopen.”

Ethan caught her happiness and couldn’t help but smile himself, a rare, gentle curve at the corners of his lips. “Congrats.”

Usually, he was all business, always serious. But Olivia’s smile seemed to melt the chill from his features, like spring sunshine chasing away the last of the snow.

She couldn’t help but stare, momentarily mesmerized by the way his expression softened.

He noticed, glancing sideways at her. Olivia didn’t even try to hide it. She met his gaze and grinned, teasing, “You know, you’ve got a really nice smile.”

Ethan blinked, caught off guard. The faintest hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “Do I?”

“Yeah, absolutely.” Olivia nodded, propping her chin on her hand. “Has no one ever told you that before?”

Ethan didn’t deny it, just said, “You’re the first.”