Archive of Our Own ^beta

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“It will be fine, Olive… and if not, at least it will be over.”

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Adam was on a roll – but he really wasn’t there. His keynote speech was going great but mostly because he knew the material like the back of his hand. It was second nature. His life’s work. He didn’t need a script. He could deliver this in his sleep.

To be honest, he wasn’t feeling any of it. He didn’t want to be here. He very much wanted to be somewhere else right now.

She’d asked him to come to her talk. She was so anxious. He knew the feeling well. And he wanted, more than anything in the world, to be in the audience, seeing a crowd witness how amazing and brilliant she was. To support her. To be there for her. She’d lost so much in her life – her mother and grandparents. Her father had not wanted to be in the picture…

… he could not understand anyone turning their back on Olive. Ever. For any reason.

She had Anh and Malcolm and Aysegul in a way. But in so many ways… she was alone in this world. And she’d asked for him.

It was just… it was Olive. He’d been in love with her for so long. Pining over her before he really knew her. Now he knew her. More and more he was discovering just how amazing she was. Every day he just loved her more and more.

She’d asked for him to be there. He wanted to be with her more than anything. As he paused for a moment to move to the next slide in his deck, he looked briefly at the time. She was probably done now. That, anyway, was a relief for her and he almost smiled. He couldn’t wait to hear all about it.

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Olive left the room, her feet somehow carrying her forward as her mind was shutting down. Tom’s words vibrated in her mind.

Mediocre.

Adam’s wasting his time with you.

Pitiful abstract.

Stuttering like an idiot.

Her arm throbbed where he’d grabbed her, and he had grabbed her. She looked down and saw the swollen, red spot and knew she would have some light bruising soon.

He had breathed on her, she could smell him, see his eyes so close… he’d moved in to kiss her. Twice. Without asking. He’d grabbed her. And he’d tried to kiss her.

A preview.

He’d made it very clear that her science had not been the reason for choosing her for his lab. She burned with humiliation for ever thinking that he’d seen something in her that he’d believed in.

She burned with humiliation for feeling on top of the world when her session had ended. How had her day pivoted like that, in a split second? She felt sick. As she ran forward, she felt the tears cascading down her cheeks.

Adam. She just needed Adam. She needed to tell him. She just…. She felt safe with him. It was that inexplicable link between them that she’d felt nearly instantly. The man with the reputation for being mean and surly, a man she’d always felt intimidated by had only ever made her feel… like she was home. Safe.

She got into the elevator and leaned against the wall, trying to hold herself together. Shaking from the effort.

Her phone chimed from in her bag and she grabbed it, her nerves making her more anxious. “Please be Adam. Please be Adam,” she muttered as she flicked open the home screen. It was Dr. Aslan texting her.

“I heard it went well! Send me the recording. I am so happy for you, Olive.”

Her heart clenched. She could find some faults in Dr. Aslan, but she always seemed to have her back – to support her. She had no idea how Olive’s world had just shattered into a thousand pieces, but without thinking, she tapped ‘add attachment’ and sent the recording over.

She was more sure than ever that she’d failed at her first talk. Tom had made that crystal clear. She’d stammered. Been… mediocre. Been there for one reason only: because she was Adam’s girlfriend. And yet… Dr. Aslan had asked her to do this favor. And she owed so much to her adviser.

She just wanted to see Adam. The elevator door slid open at their floor and she went to his room – the room he’d agreed to share with her after a series of one uncomfortable situation after another that she had sprung upon him this month. He’d done everything just to help her. Again and again. Their room at this conference? It was just more proof of that. His gentlemanly assurances that there were two beds… further proof of that.

She took out the key card and swiped it, walking in. She leaned against the door and slid to the ground, her sobs coming out more fully now that she was in private.

She felt so stupid. She had been so sure she’d done a good job at her talk. She’d felt confident. Relieved when it was over. She couldn’t wait to tell Adam all about it. But now… she didn’t have her lab next year.

Her mother’s face flashed in her mind – so briefly- she wouldn’t let herself dwell there. She never did. It was about her.

It was all about her. All about her…

Her work… her lab… the chance to make a difference. It was gone. And Tom had made it clear that if she didn’t go and satisfy him, her work would be stolen. She just… she had to tell Adam.

Quick question. Who do you think Adam will believe, Olive? Some bitch he’s been fucking for about two weeks or someone who’s been a close friend for years…

His close friend…

Adam had talked about how he had been in a rut, about to leave academia. His collaboration with Tom, their grant… it had given him his reason to stay. They were close friends. And… he was interested in someone else.

What good would telling him do? She’d be pulling him right down with her. He had interviews with Harvard, incredible opportunities… with Tom. Their charade was almost over. For her it couldn’t have felt more real… but for him… it was time to call it quits and move on.

If she told him it would be selfish.

He was so good. And so kind. It was crazy because she had seen quite the opposite all along from him… but it was true. He was truly kind. His loyalty to Holden. Holden’s fondness for him. He’d taken him to prom. He’d stepped in to help her without a second thought.

He was good.

And he deserved so much more than having his best opportunity ripped away from him because of her.

She stood up with resolve and changed as quickly as she could into jeans and a T-shirt. She could not bear to be in this dress for another minute.

Don’t lie to me and say you didn’t pick out a dress that short for my benefit. Nice legs by the way.

She squeezed her eyes closed as his words assaulted her again and again. The accusations that she had targeted Adam because of who he was. She hadn’t… and… the idea of Adam believing Tom… believing the worst of her, that she would seduce her way into opportunities…

… it was too much to bear.

She ran out of the room, down the stairs… and out a side entrance. She didn’t know where to go. But she couldn’t stay there for another moment.

Everything… everything… was over.

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Adam finally left the conference hall where his keynote speech was. The Q&A had dragged on and on. He usually loved that level of engagement, but he really did not want to be there any longer than absolutely necessary.

He wanted to see his girlfriend. He stopped short for a moment as his mind corrected itself. Fake girlfriend. His feelings were so real. And how he wanted for her to be his actual girlfriend. For every kiss to be because they wanted to and not for show.

Though the two kisses they’d shared… for show or not, he felt more alive than he’d ever dreamed possible in those moments.

“Hey Mr. Keynote,” he heard a voice say. He looked up and saw Holden smiling at him. “How’d it go?”

Adam smiled kindly at his old friend, but it was a curt smile all the same. “Fine. As expected.”

“A riveting endorsement,” Holden joked.

“I don’t usually endorse myself,” Adam replied. He checked his phone to see if Olive had written. Nothing. He wondered if she was at the social yet.

“Malcolm said it went great,” Holden said quietly, more seriously.

Adam looked up at him and Holden just eyed Adam’s phone with a knowing gleam in his eyes. “Oh?” He breathed out and didn’t realize the breath he’d been holding.

“Olive was great. The whole panel went well from what I heard.”

Adam looked around.

“And I’m guessing that you’d rather find your girlfriend than chat about her talk with your old prom date.”

Adam looked back and Holden and smiled genuinely. “Is that how I should refer to you from now on?” He felt so much lighter knowing her talk went well. She had worked so hard to prepare it. And… her science, her approach… it was honestly brilliant. He knew she didn’t see it, though. How he wished she could see herself the way he saw her.

“It may lead to questions from most people,” Holden said.

“And I hate small talk,” Adam added.

“Friends.”

“Colleagues,” Adam joked. Holden hated to be called a colleague.

“Best friends from way back.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “As important as this is, I have to go.”

“Will you be at the social?”

Adam was walking away but stopped and looked back at Holden. “Yes. I’m just going to stop in my room and see if Olive is there.”

The elevator ride seemed to take forever and it was all for nothing. She wasn’t in their room. And yet… he felt like she’d been there.

Just as he was leaving to find her at the social, he saw it. Her black dress. It was draped over her bed. He furrowed his brow. Why would she have changed for the social?

He left quickly, feeling more anxious to just see her. He realized how often lately he felt anxious without her… and how calm and grounded he felt whenever she was with him.

So he left. He headed to the social and looked around. People kept coming up to him to congratulate him on his talk. He couldn’t care less about any of it. But he thanked people and did not encourage any small talk.

He could not see Olive anywhere.

“There you are.” He turned toward a familiar voice. Tom walked closer, his hands in his pockets. “I’ve been looking for you.”

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Olive sat down at the Boston Common, the Gardens… in the weeks since Tom had told her she’d have space at his lab, she’d done research here and there about Boston. And this grassy common was a place she had felt – somewhere down deep – would be a place she would love. She expected to be there all the time, sitting against a tree, or at a bench… people watching, daydreaming, missing her friends in California. And Adam.

She had felt that when the science or work was too much – and she knew it would be at times, and that was okay, it was what she’d signed up for – she could come here and have some quiet.

She’d made a huge deal about the Boston Commons and told Anh and Malcolm all about her romantic notion of this place being her place in Boston. The place she’d seek solace and be alone, and obsessively shoot off texts about life to her family. To them.

They’d smiled and nodded and probably only half-listened. Because she talked about it a lot. Truthfully, she hadn’t really done much research on the city, except for this slice of calm reprieve. This space.

She didn’t know where else to go right now. She wanted to book it back to the airport. To return to California. But she’d left everything in that hotel room. And she just couldn’t face Adam. What could she say? He’d know she was upset. He’d know even if she miraculously was able to stop the tears from falling, which so far was a no-go. The tears were just flowing freely, though the sobs were quieter.

He’d know. She’d have to figure out a way to clear out the room while he was occupied.

And there would be a change fee for moving her flight. And she just…

Ugh. This was a mess and she just couldn’t understand any of it. Why had this happened? Had she really made this happen by “dating” Adam and wearing that dress? Had she somehow fed into Tom’s assumptions that this was what their relationship next year would be like?

It was almost laughable if it wasn’t so sad. She didn’t sleep with anyone. Not really. She trusted so few people. She felt attraction so seldomly that it completely snuck up on her with Adam. The idea that Tom had seen her as some kind of seductress or whatever… it was honestly almost laughable.

But she couldn’t laugh. Because her arm still hurt. It was now bruising she could see. And he’d scared her. He honestly had scared her with his actions. Her body had felt panic when he’d moved in on her and she’d frozen while that feeling prickled every nerve ending in her body.

And when her fear had passed, his words… they’d ruined her.

Was she in the wrong field? Was she mediocre? He’d said Adam was wasting his time with her, and in her heart… she found herself agreeing. He should be with that other woman he loved. The one Holden had mentioned.

I can see why Adam is wasting his time with you.

And she was wasting her time, apparently… wasting her time ever thinking that she could be a good scientist and make a difference.

She leaned against the tree, wrapped her arms around her legs, and just let the tears keep falling.

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Adam smiled at Tom. “I heard the panel went well,” he said. To his surprise, he noted that Tom’s eyes got a little wide – almost like he was surprised to hear that. But… he was there. Surely, he knew it went well. “Or didn’t you think it did?”

Adam scanned the room again. No Olive.

“No, no… it did. It had pretty good attendance and engagement.”

Adam nodded, not bothering to say that the attendance and engagement was the least of his concerns.

“Since you’re free now, I was thinking we can take a few minutes to go over everything for the interviews. There’s a lot you and I need to align on. And you’ve been… busier than usual the last month,” he added.

Adam looked at him, at that, and shook his head. “Not now.”

He saw Anh and Malcolm talking in the corner and his heart rate spiked for a quick moment. He was sure he’d find Olive with them. But… she still was not there.

“Why not now? You’re here. I’m here. We are—”

“Tom.” Tom stopped and looked at him, looking honestly kind of annoyed. “Not now.”

And he walked off to talk to Olive’s closest friends, something he had never really done before without her there. Not for personal reasons, anyway.

When they saw him approaching, they stopped talking and Malcolm’s eyes got wide, while Anh’s mouth dropped open. Was he really that intimidating to people?

He didn’t care. He just didn’t care. He wanted to see Olive. He needed to see her.

“Hi,” he said awkwardly when he reached them.

“Hi Dr. Carlsen,” Anh said quickly.

“Adam. Please,” he said. These were Olive’s closest friends. It felt too strange having them talk to him so formally when Olive meant so much to him. “Is Olive here?”

They looked at each other, and both also looked at their phones. “Not that I know of,” Anh said. “She was going to come over after she grabbed her stuff.”

“She did great, by the way,” Malcolm added, giving Adam an awkward thumb’s up.

“I heard,” he said, though while that sentiment made him feel lighter earlier, it was beginning to unnerve him now. Why would she be so delayed to come over to the social? Her talk ended nearly thirty minutes ago. And why had she changed out of her dress? Why was she not here with her friends?

And why did none of them – him included – have a message from her?

“I’m sure she’s on her way. She probably wanted to drop her stuff off in the room,” Anh offered.

He nodded and his phone rang. He pulled it out of his pocket, hoping it was her. It was not.

It was Aysegul. That was strange. She never called him. They were friendly but had not talked too much outside of work.

But… she was Olive’s adviser. With a frown, he turned from Malcolm and Anh and tapped the ‘answer’ button.

“Hello Aysegul,” he said quietly.

“Adam,” she said and… she sounded… off. Upset? No… angry. No…

“What’s wrong?” he asked. Because he could tell that she was calling him for a reason.

“Where is Olive?” she asked him. And there was no mistaking the tremor in her voice and the heightened emotion.

“What happened?” he asked, walking away from Olive’s friends. Walking away from this social. He needed to hear her because she knew something. And worry was starting to overwhelm him.

“Do you know where she is right now?”

He sighed. “I have no idea. I’ve been looking for her. I… what happened? Why are you upset? You’re still in California, right?”

“She sent me the recording of her talk.”

Suddenly fear clenched in his stomach. “I heard her talk went well.” What didn’t he know?

“It did,” she said, and he heard her take a deep breath.

“I don’t understand—”

“When the talk was over, Adam… something happened, and she had her recording on. I don’t think she even knew because… oh, the poor girl.”

“Aysegul, what happened? Tell me.”

Holden was now by Adam. He’d seen his friend notice him leaving to take this call. And Adam likely looked like hell because it’s exactly how he felt right now. And he didn’t know exactly why.

“That asshole doesn’t know what’s coming to him,” she muttered and his blood ran cold.

“What. Happened,” he repeated, his voice pitched low.

“I sent it to you. The whole thing. I can’t honestly say it over the phone but you need to hear it, Adam. You need to. Scroll to the 45:20 mark. And call me back.”

Before he could demand that she tell him something, because it honestly felt like she had just dropped a bomb on him, she was gone. The line was dead.

And his heart felt like it was going to slam right out of his chest. Something happened. Something happened to Olive after the talk. A man… did something. Something that rattled his colleague who was usually the most composed woman he knew.

He opened his text message and saw an audio recording come through.

“What is going on?” Holden asked as Adam moved further away from the noise of the social. He found a small unused conference room and sat down. He put the phone on the table and pressed play, the phone on speaker.

“Something happened. After her talk,” he said quietly.

“What?”

“I don’t know, but it’s on here.”

Holden nodded and took a deep breath. “I’m here,” he reminded Adam as ambient noises filled the silence, from the recording.

And finally, a voice was heard. “It went well.”

And Adam looked at Holden, feeling like the floor was dropping from under him.

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It was Tom’s voice. Adam swallowed as a knot tightened in his stomach and his eyes narrowed a little. He was intent on the recording, desperate to know what happened to Olive, and if it had anything to do with Tom. His friend. Who he trusted with Olive.

“Thank you. Yours, too.”

Her voice instantly had an effect on him. She sounded happy. He’d heard that her talk went well, but in her voice, he heard confidence. And as he breathed in and braced himself, he found himself quite aware that her voice had a sort of… healing effect on him. Because he’d been honestly anxious. He still was. But her voice made him take a deep breath, as if her voice was air itself.

“Where’s Adam?” he heard Tom ask. He just stared at his phone as their voices spilled out – wondering where this was going and why Aysegul was so anxious and upset when she called.

“Still giving his keynote, I think.”

“Right… he does that, doesn’t he?”

Adam could feel Holden’s eyes on him, but he knew his face was perfectly still, though inside, he was starting to feel a knot form in his stomach.

“Does what?”

“Outdoes you. Well, outdoes everyone. It’s not personal…” He furrowed his brow at that and his eyes narrowed a little. He didn’t outdo Olive. She was picked for a talk as a student. That was an incredible accomplishment. She was blazing her own trail just fine.

“I think you and I will get along great next year.” His head turned a little and he looked directly at the phone. Something in that tone was making the knot in his stomach grow and his breathing quicken.

“We will… thank you so much for giving me and my project a chance. I can’t wait to start working with you.”

Her voice once again felt like air to his lungs, and he took a deep breath, as his heart squeezed a little. She was so excited to be able to work on his project next year.

“You’re welcome. I think there are a lot of things we can gain from each other. Wouldn’t you agree?”

He narrowed his eyes at that. What could Tom gain from Olive? She was a student. She couldn’t give him much of anything at this stage in her career.

“I hope so. I think imaging and blood biomarkers complement each other perfectly and only by combining them can we—”

“And I have what you need don’t I? The research funds. The lab space. The time and ability to mentor you properly.”

What was he getting at? He felt Holden tense beside him as if he sensed what was about to happen next. Adam just stared at the phone as his brain buzzed with alarm bells. His jaw ticked and that knot in his stomach grew a little more.

“Yes. You do. I…” She trailed off and he leaned in, trying to understand what was happening. “I’m grateful,” she continued, though her voice faltered… just a bit. “So grateful. I’m sure that—”

Suddenly he heard her breath catch – almost like a little yelp. Barely audible but as his heart raced he was desperate to know what was going on because he knew that something had happened to cause her to stop talking.

“What… ” There was no mistaking the fear he heard in her voice and suddenly he couldn’t breathe. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice nearly a whisper. His hands automatically curled into a fist until his knuckles were white.

What. Had. He. Done.

“A preview, I think.”

Adam felt like the color had drained from his face. Tom… he could only mean one thing by that.

“Fuck… “ Holden said quietly.

Noises filled the audio, her breath punctuating what sounded like… a struggle? His breath was starting to quicken as he swallowed, bracing himself.

“A preview of – what? Are you out of your mind?” He closed his eyes briefly at the sound of her voice – incredulous, disbelieving… and still so, so strong.

“Come on… a pretty girl like you should know the score by now. Don’t lie to me and say you didn’t pick out a dress that short for my benefit. Nice legs, by the way. I can see why Adam’s wasting his time with you.”

“Oh my God,” Adam said quietly, and Holden's hand was on his shoulder. He didn’t squeeze reassuringly or anything he just… he was there. Wherever this already-fucked-up encounter was headed, Adam had Holden. Holden was there.

“The—what are you—”

“Olive. You don’t think I accepted you into my lab because you are good, do you?”

There was a pause and Adam squeezed his eyes shut because… she already had so much self-doubt. He saw it all the time. How he just wanted her to see herself the way he saw her. He swallowed and took a deep breath. But he knew the color had drained from his face. Because… he felt sick. Honestly sick.

“A girl like you. Who figured out so early in her academic career that fucking well-known, successful scholars is how to get ahead… you fucked Adam, didn’t you? We both know you’re going to fuck me for the same reason.”

“No—” Adam muttered, as Holden whispered, “That fucking asshole.”

Adam’s hand flew up to his hair and he squeezed, his grip nearly ripping the hair out of his own head. That fucking asshole… he’d sexually harassed her.

After her talk… she’d been sexually harassed… and very likely assaulted… by his friend. By someone he trusted. More than that… someone he trusted with her!

“You are disgusting.” Olive’s voice was holding strong, but he could hear a small tremor in it. Where was she? He’d seen Tom out there, being a selfish prick, he now realized, more than ever… but where was Olive…

Where was Olive?!

“Am I?... That makes two of us. You used Adam to get to me and to my lab. To this conference, too.”

“I didn’t. I didn’t even know Adam when I submitted – “

“Oh, please. You’re telling me that you thought your pitiful abstract was selected for a talk because of its quality and scientific importance?... Someone here has a very high opinion of herself, considering that her research is useless and derivative and that she can barely put together two words without stuttering like an idiot.”

“It’s not true,” she whispered.

“Oh my God,” Adam muttered. He felt like crying. For the first time in possibly his entire adult life, he felt like he could cry. This was abuse. He’d been through it – an abusive advisor. Being told he wasn’t good and would never amount to anything. It used to haunt him… had made him want to leave academia altogether. But he’d go through it all, all over again, to spare her this. Because this… it was worse.

He hadn’t even thought that was possible.

He’d been verbally and mentally abused. But Tom… he was at a new level. He was preying on her, using his power to hurt her. Mentally. Verbally.

… and sexually.

Olive. His Olive. His mind almost corrected itself, told him that she wasn’t really his… that this was all fake. But no… his feelings were very real and always had been. He’d just never told her. He was completely in love with her. He’d just… he’d never told her.

But it was real. His Olive… was being tortured by Tom – someone he’d completely trusted, for so many years.

And as far as Tom was concerned… Olive was really Adam’s girlfriend.

How could he—

“No? You think it’s not true that scientists in the field want to impress the great Adam Carlsen enough to kiss the ass of whoever he’s fucking at the moment? I certainly did when I told his very mediocre girlfriend that she could come work for me. But maybe you’re right. Maybe you know STEM academia better than I do.”

Adam exhaled and hung his head as he felt Holden’s grip on his shoulder tighten. Because it was beyond clear that Holden was always right about Tom.

“I’m going to tell Adam about this. I’m going to—”

At that, his heart skipped a beat and he looked again at the phone, thankful for her words, that she was going to tell him about this.

He wished, more than anything, that he had been able to go to her talk. He would’ve been there. And spared her this… this complete, utter abuse at the hands of someone who was honestly a monster, he realized.

“By all means. Go ahead. Be my guest. Do you need to borrow my phone?”

“No… no…”

What the hell was Tom doing. What the hell was this!?

“Quick question. Who do you think Adam will believe, Olive?”…

My god… he’d have believed her, even without this recording. But hearing the sick words fall out of Tom’s mouth, Adam’s jaw ticked and his eyes just held to the phone, shaking his head, as it was clear that Tom’s work here was not done. He clearly wanted to tear her… tear him… and tear them apart. And he hadn’t stopped yet, because her trust in Adam was clearly unacceptable to Tom.

“Some bitch he’s been fucking for about two weeks, or someone who’s been a close friend for years? Someone who helped him get the most important grant of his career? Someone who’s had his back since he was younger than you are? Someone who’s actually a good scientist?”

Holden reached down quickly and paused the recording. His breath was coming out quickly, too. He looked at Adam, and he knew his friend could read him. He knew he looked near tears. Ready to kill. Heartbroken for the woman he loved. Desperate.

“We can stop. We don’t have to keep listening,” Holden said after a moment. “This is…” he shook his head.

“It’s sick,” Adam finished for him, his voice broken. “And I need to hear the rest. I need to know what happened. All of it.”

After an intense moment, Holden reached out and hit play once more on the phone.

“Why are you doing this?” Olive’s voice came through, and he could hear… it sounded like anguish. He’d never heard her voice sound like that. She was his smart ass. She poked fun at him. Took his hand as he went to get the flu shot. She drank complete sugar that masqueraded as coffee. And she trusted him with her fears, her losses, herself…

And he could hear it in her voice. Tom was breaking her down.

“Because I can. Because as advantageous as my collaboration with Adam has been sometimes it’s a bit annoying how he needs to be the best at everything, and I like the idea of taking something away from him for once. Because you are very pretty, and I look forward to spending more time with you next year. Who would have guessed that Adam had such good taste?”

Adam closed his eyes and just shook his head. He was going kill him. Rage. That was what he felt right now. At the beginning of this, he felt like the blood had drained from his entire body and now he felt like it was boiling. How could Tom have played the part of “friend” all these years – he clearly hated him! He wanted to seduce the one woman he’d ever been in love with. Just to take something away from him.

He looked at Holden, realizing he’d stopped the recording again.

“Are you okay?” Holden asked. Holden’s jaw was also working, and he looked torn up but he also looked beside himself with worry. For who, he wasn’t sure. For Olive? For him? Probably both, because Holden had a big heart. Thank God he had him.

Adam just looked at his friend and let the rage show through his eyes. “He wanted to take something from me for once,” he said, his voice sounding choked to his own ears. “Something.” He shook his head. “She’s…”

“I know—"

She was everything to him.

This time, it was Adam who reached out and pressed play. He needed to finish this. He needed to kill Tom. And he needed to find Olive.

“You are crazy. If you think that I’ll work in your lab, you are—”

She was so strong. He’d known it, but… in the face of this monster, she was standing her ground. She was willing to lose out on her lab for next year and he knew how important it was to her.

“Oh, Olive. But you will. Because you see – while your work is not particularly brilliant, it does complement nicely the ongoing projects in my lab.”

“Are you really so deluded that you think I would ever collaborate with you after this?”

“Mmm… It’s more that you don’t have a choice. Because if you want to finish your project, my lab is your only opportunity. And if you don’t… well. You sent me information on all your protocols, which means that I can easily replicate them. But don’t worry. Maybe I’ll mention you in the acknowledgment section.”

Holden stood up so fast, Adam barely saw him move, as Adam’s hand flew to his mouth. His eyes widened as his hand rested against his mouth.

What… the… fuck!?

“You wouldn’t… it’s research misconduct.”

“Listen, Olive. My friendly advice is: suck it up. Keep Adam happy and interested as long as possible, and then come to my lab to finally do some decent work. If you keep me happy, I’ll make sure you can save the world from pancreatic cancer. Your nice little sob story about your mom or your aunt or your stupid kindergarten teacher dying from it is only going to get your so far. You’re mediocre.”

Adam dropped his head into his hands and he couldn’t help it – tears not only fully formed in his eyes, but they fell, hot and angry, as rage took over. He buried his face and shook his head.

How could he!? How could he take that experience and... how could he...

She’d been through the unimaginable – losing the only family she ever had!

Tom was evil. He was evil. He was completely EVIL.

“It’s over,” Holden said after a moment. And it was true. Olive must have run out of the room after that. Because there were no longer voices. Just noises. His heart lurched as he thought he heard her sobs, her breathing… the ding of the elevator.

He knew that she’d gone to their room. Because her dress was on the bed.

He needed to find her. Now. He needed to—

Adam stood up and started for the door, Holden right beside him. When they left the room, the cheery bustle of the department social made it feel unreal that inside that little room he’d just witnessed the worse conversation he could ever have imagined. Before he could do anything, he saw Tom, waving him down, a stupid smile on his fucking face.

And he moved forward. Tom's words invaded his mind, abusive and evil, directed at Olive. His Olive. And the blood boiling in his veins propelled him toward his new enemy.

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Olive’s arm was throbbing still – she couldn’t believe it. It had been over an hour and a half and the physical pain was a constant reminder of the drivel that had caused her world to completely shatter.

She knew – of course she knew – that Tom needed to be reported. But… he’d made it so clear that no one would believe her, that even Adam wouldn’t believe her.

Tom was… he was his friend. He’d stood by him for so long. And she was…

Some bitch he’s been fucking for about two weeks—”

Except they hadn’t… they’d never…

Tom didn’t know that. No one did, really, except Malcolm.

But she was someone he’d only known for a little while. And everything they had was completely fake. It was fake. And even though her feelings now were so very real… he had real feelings for someone else. He had an end-date for this fake relationship. And he had goals to collaborate with Tom, his old friend.

Tom was an established part of Adam’s life. And Olive was temporary. On that… Tom wasn’t wrong. And his words cut deep. All of them. But… the idea that Adam would think what Tom had suggested – that she’d used him, that she was mediocre, that she was just this fling in his life… it hurt so much that every time she tried to collect herself and stop the tears, the pain would tear her open again.

And under that pain was just… fear. She’d felt so cornered by Tom. So hurt, as her arm angrily let her know every few seconds… so trapped. And then so attacked. As a person. As a scholar. As a woman.

She looked around this place at Boston Common – this place that was going to be her refuge from academia next year – and she leaned against the tree, wrapping her arms tightly around herself as the tears kept falling. She never wanted to leave this place. She didn’t know if she ever would. It felt like everything was over.

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Adam felt Holden’s hand try to grasp him, a flutter against his shirt, but he was too quick. He was out of his best friend’s reach as quickly as he was in it because Tom was standing there. And he was smiling. That fucking asshole had torn apart the woman he loved and he was just smiling like nothing had happened. And maybe to him, it hadn’t. Maybe shredding people’s dreams was something he was very comfortable doing. The thought made him sick. But he couldn’t worry about every other victim of Tom’s abuse right now.

Right now, Olive was all that he cared about. And Tom’s words to her were beginning to destroy him.

We both know you’re going to fuck me for the same reason.

You’re mediocre.

Nice legs, by the way.

I can see why Adam’s wasting his time with you.

Who do you think Adam will believe?

You have no choice…

You sent me all of your protocols.

Your stupid little sob story about your mom…

“Why are you doing this?” she’d asked, and he could almost imagine her shaking in rage – her voice was a shell of the one he knew in that moment, with that question…

Because I can.

Her sobs when she left. Her gasp when he’d… God, what had Tom done? He’d hurt her. Her gasp, her sudden fear… he’d fucking touched her. He knew he had. He just didn’t know what that had entailed. Had he kissed her? Touched her without consent? Grabbed her? Hit her? Every scenario that caused her gasp, her yelp, and her fear, made his blood boil with rage and cold fear sink into his stomach like ice.

“Adam, you finally ready to prep for our interv—”

Tom didn’t get a chance to finish, because Adam shoved him into the nearest wall behind Tom and held him up, rage coursing through him.

“What did you do!?” he demanded. Tom’s eyes were wide. To say he looked caught off guard would be an understatement, but behind that surprise, he could see Tom calculating exactly what was going on and working out how to weasel his way out of it.

“What are you talking about?” Tom choked out, looking around. A few people noticed them, but mostly they were outside the area where most people were hanging out and the music from the event was drowning out the scene.

“I trusted you,” Adam said, his voice almost failing him on that. Because he had. My god… he’d trusted Tom with Olive – and she honestly meant the world to him. If he had any idea… any idea… what he was capable of, he would’ve protected her. He would not have let her anywhere near him. He all but handed her over to him – more than once – and as a result, she’d been belittled, abused, hurt…

“Look,” Tom said casually, even as he strained against Adam’s death grip. “I don’t know what this is, but I didn’t do anything. You may want to lay off because you’ll get kicked out of the conference. Not a great look for a keynote speaker.”

Adam’s grip tightened and he pushed Tom further, wanting to beat him unconscious but holding himself back. “Do you honestly think that I care about that right now?”

Tom’s face was turning red and he was beginning to pant. “Adam…”

Adam breathed in and out, as memories of kissing Olive, holding her, joking around with her settled somewhere deep inside his soul making all of this just so much more painful.

He could see more people surrounding them, hands grabbing at him – two conference officials were pulling on him as words like “unacceptable” and “going to have to ask you to leave” landed all around him.

“Adam.” It was Holden’s voice that broke through the noise. His best friend. He’d been telling him about Tom for years. And he’d never listened. And right now, Holden wasn’t excited to see Tom getting what he deserved, and he wasn’t smug for having been right. There was no “I told you so” rolling off his tongue. Just his name. And immense worry. And love. This wasn’t just his best friend, this was his brother. “He’s not worth it,” he said, getting closer. “If anyone here deserves to go to jail right now, it’s him, not you. She needs you. You need to find her. She is all that matters. He is not worth it.”

And that did it. He shoved Tom once more, hard, and then let go. Tom dropped to the ground in a heap and looked up at Adam.

“Is this about Olive? What did she say? Adam, we’ve been friends for years and she’s –”

“—she’s the woman I love,” Adam said, crouching down and getting close. He spoke quietly. And with so much force. He’d never said this out loud. Not to anyone. But the truth of the words broke out of him with abandon. “And if you say anything about her ever again… if you look at her… if you go near her… if you even think about her.” He paused. “I will fucking kill you.”

Tom’s eyes widened for a moment and then he schooled his features. “I didn’t do anything, Adam. I don’t know what she told you— but don’t believe everything you hear. I know you don’t like to see the worst in people but you have influence. She’s using you—“

He almost punched him. He almost grabbed him and threw him against the wall again, because every word out of his mouth made him shake with rage.

“I can’t figure out what the worst part was,” Adam said, shaking his head and looking at his former friend and collaborator. “When you told her that she had to fuck you next year. When you grabbed her? When you told her she wasn’t any good, that her work was derivative and that she was mediocre… when you told her that you’d steal her work if she didn’t do what you wanted… or when you took the worst moment of her life and threw it in her face.”

Tom said nothing for a moment. And finally, “You believe her?”

“Yes,” Adam said, without flinching. “In a heartbeat, yes. I would have believed her. And I definitely believe what I heard with my own ears.”

“What are you talking about?”

A girl like you. Who figured out so early in her academic career that fucking well-known, successful scholars is how to get ahead… you fucked Adam, didn’t you? We both know you’re going to fuck me for the same reason.

Adam recoiled at that sound – he’d never wanted to hear those disgusting words again. But he knew he would have to listen through it when he reported Tom. Where was this coming from? He turned, his gaze searching – and it landed on Holden, holding Adam’s phone in his hand. Hitting pause. He must've grabbed it when he approached him, to stop him from honestly killing Tom or getting arrested.

“What the fuck is that?” Malcolm said, stepping closer to Holden, Anh next to him, tears in her eyes. He hadn't seen them approach, but they were here now, aware of the scene, and lost as to what was going on. “Why is he on tape saying that to Olive?”

“Where’s Olive?” Anh asked, looking panic-stricken. He knew how she felt.

He looked back at Tom. “You’re done,” he said, his voice low and cold as ice. “It’s over. I will see to it myself. You will pay for what you did.”

Tom breathed out and closed his eyes. He looked absolutely pissed. And defeated.

Adam stood up and looked at the employees from SBD that were around him, looking confused at the entire scene they were witnessing.

He walked over to one of the young men and said quietly, “I’ll be filing a formal report, but in the meantime, he should not be allowed at any conference-related activities. He…” Adam swallowed, stalling for a moment. “He sexually harassed a woman on his panel – a student,” he added, his voice catching a bit.

They looked at Adam with wide eyes. They’d clearly been about to kick him out because he was the aggressor in the scene they’d stepped into. But… as Adam spoke, they nodded, and one man walked away saying something into his walkie-talkie.

Finally, Adam turned away from Tom, and came face to face with Olive’s closest friends, and his closest friend. Anh looked like she was trying not to cry as she dialed her cell frantically. He walked with them away from the social.

She tapped off her phone. Olive did not answer, apparently. “Do you know where Olive is?” he asked her and Malcolm. “Did you see her after her talk?”

Malcolm nodded. “We talked to her. It went well. We were going to meet here. She just… she needed to pack up her stuff.” Malcolm tapped off his phone, too.

“We left,” Anh said, and she shook her head. “We should have stayed with her.”

Malcolm glanced at Tom, a murderous look in his eye. The few times Adam had seen Malcolm since the beginning of his fake relationship with Olive, he’d been playful with her. He seemed like someone who didn’t take life too seriously. But… he could see layers of protectiveness for his friend coming through.

“There’s only one person responsible for what happened,” Holden said, touching Malcolm’s arm – which Adam thought was interesting. Malcolm looked down, clearly thinking that was interesting as well.

“What did happen?” Anh asked. “Is Olive okay?”

Adam sighed. “I have no idea. There’s a recording. He’s… he’s done. But… it was –” He trailed off and shook his head.

“It was sick,” Holden said, using Adam’s word from earlier. “He was cruel, belittling, and he did sexually harass her.”

Anh’s tears slipped down her cheek and she looked quickly at the social, where Tom was, where they had all been. Where Adam had just held his former friend up against a wall and raged about her friend’s abuse at his hands. “She’s not answering her cell.”

“Can you think of anywhere she’d go?” Adam asked. He was desperate to find her. He had to see if she was okay. After… after that… he needed to know that she was okay. He had to tell her how sorry he was that this ever happened. Tell her not to believe one single word that man had spoken. And… he needed to tell her the truth. Finally.

“Not here,” Malcolm said. “She doesn’t know Boston.”

“Well… there is that place she kept mentioning,” Anh said, looking up at Malcolm. He looked at her curiously before his brow cleared.

“Oh yeah – the people-watching, coffee-drinking, nap-taking, leaning-on-a-tree-reading, hot spot that was to be her home away from Harvard. Next year.”

Adam had no idea what they were talking about – but that did sound like something Olive would say.

“It’s the open garden,” Malcolm started.

“The Common?” Adam asked.

“Yes,” Anh said. “That was it. She was determined to spend all of her free time there next year.”

“She never stopped yammering about it. On and on—”

“She’d research Boston sometimes,” Anh said quietly and Adam’s heart lurched. She’d been so excited for this opportunity.

“Let’s go,” Adam said – and he ran off, a few people right on his heels, all bonded by the one thing that was stronger than hate.

Love.

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The ride to the Boston Common seemed to take forever. No one talked and Adam could feel the tension in the air as Tom’s words to Olive replayed themselves without invitation in his mind.

Nice legs.

You’re mediocre.

You didn’t think I accepted you into my lab because you’re good…

We both know you’re going to fuck me…

He felt like he was going to be sick he was so overwhelmed with worry for her and new, raw, pure hatred for Tom. He just needed to find Olive. The moment the Uber came to a stop outside the familiar landmark, Adam exited the SUV and ran. He entered, finally, the park he had spent countless hours in, relaxing, relieving the pressure from an abusive advisor – this place was his haven. He had hoped to show it to Olive when she came to Boston next year if he also was there… he’d hoped to help her acclimate. He’d hoped…

He’d hoped for so much.

Anh had said that Olive would research Boston sometimes. His heart lurched at that; she’d been so excited to come here. And his heart did something else entirely at the idea that she had planned to retreat to the very park that had been his own saving grace during his grad school years.

The park was crowded, and he slowly walked, looking all around, looking for Olive. He felt like his breath was caught in his chest; like he had tension gnawing at him from the inside out and his breath was coming out in quick bursts.

“Let’s split up,” Malcolm offered, also looking around. “And the first person to find her calls the others.”

“There,” Holden said, tapping his phone. “I just started a text thread with all of us on it. We can message here, and even send our location.”

Adam wanted to roll his eyes; of course Holden had Malcolm’s cell phone number… or this emergency situation gave him a good reason to obtain it. He could see his best friend eyeing Olive’s roommate. He could almost smile at Holden’s sweet hopefulness at the idea of romance and love. Almost.

Now was certainly not the time. With a nod to Holden and the others, he took off. There was this one spot that he loved the most here. And… he knew the chances were small that she’d be there. And it was the furthest possible spot from where they all had entered the park. He ran quickly through the massive crowd.

The chances were small but also… that was their entire relationship, wasn’t it? What were the chances that after years of feeling just about nothing for any woman, ever, a woman chose his bathroom to hide in and sort out her expired contacts situation – that that brief run-in would change his life, and make his heart feel things he’d never expected to feel? What were the chances that that woman would then grab him, years later, and kiss him in a strange ploy to trick her friend into thinking she was on a date? She could’ve been there any night… but it was that night. And it was him that she’d kissed. Starting this whole thing.

So… maybe the chances of her escaping the horrors of her run-in with Tom at the one place he used to hide out in, finding his own kind of refuge… maybe the chances were not so slim when it came to him and her.

Finally, that steady, beautiful tree came into view. And… sitting against it, arms wrapped around herself… was Olive. And she was crying, looking down at her lap. The look on her face caused him to stop in his tracks, his face dropping. She was always so animated. Right now… she looked broken.

He quickly tapped his location to the group thread and then pocketed his phone as he walked quietly to Olive. As he reached her, she looked up and her eyes were wide with shock.

“Adam.” She said it so quietly, trying to wipe her eyes as if nothing was wrong. He crouched down in front of her and placed a hand on her cheek, his thumbs gently wiping away the mess of tears that fell. “What—how—“

“I’m so sorry, Olive.” He almost couldn’t get the words out. “I had no idea. I’m sorry.” He shook his head as tears almost fell from his eyes. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Like a dam broke, she burst into tears. Her face still had a look of confusion, but she reached forward, toward him, and went into his arms, hiding her face in his neck, wetting his shirt with her tears as he held her tightly.

Finally, she was in his arms, and all he wanted to do was hold her and take away everything that had ever dared to hurt her.

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How was this possible? Since the moment Tom had begun to hurt her, all she’d wanted was Adam. And now… he was here. How was he here? He was holding her like he’d known exactly what had happened, how she’d been hurt. He was… he was apologizing. That didn’t make any sense. When her confusion got the most of her, she pulled back and looked at him, trying to wipe away her own tears and pull herself together.

“How did you find me? Why… why are you here? You’re the keynote speaker. You need to be at the department social, the events, everything—”

Adam looked at her, his face, for some reason, full of emotion, as his eyes searched hers. “I am exactly where I need to be… and where I want to be.” He took a deep, shuddering breath. “And, Olive, I’m just… I am so sorry. I never should have trusted Tom with you.”

Her eyes widened at that. Tom…. How did he…

“Aysegul sent me the recording you sent her,” he explained, clearly noticing her confusion. “He’s completely done for.” He looked intensely into her eyes. “When I heard… Olive, I almost killed him. I wanted to kill him. I can’t believe… I am sorry.” He shook his head and pulled her close.

“It’s not your fault,” she murmured, still disbelieving. “I… oh my God… I had no idea it was on there when I sent it to her. I wasn’t sure that anyone would believe me. I wasn’t sure… I didn’t know what to do,” she said, her voice crumbling as more tears flowed.

“I would have believed you, Olive. I didn’t need to hear that to know you. I would have believed you if you’d come to me. I know that he made you think that I wouldn’t. And he was wrong. He underestimated what you mean to me,” he added, so quietly she almost didn’t hear him.

She pulled him so close that he scooped her gently into his lap, sitting against the tree. She cried into his neck, instantly worrying about ruining his nice, pressed white shirt, but also feeling so grateful to have him there on what had felt like the worst day of her life.

“Did he hurt you?” he asked, his voice choked. He seemed like he was crying now, so she pulled back, surprised by the emotion coming from him.

“What?”

“There was something on the tape… it sounded like… “ he shook his head, anger, and violence seeming to rage behind his eyes. “Did he touch you? Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head, wanting to calm him more than anything. “I am fine,” she said, and she knew she was lying. Her arms still ached where Tom had grabbed her.

Adam seemed to know she was lying, too. “What did he do?” he asked, his voice pitched low and even.

She touched her arm gently through the light jacket she wore. “He just grabbed me. He tried to kiss me. Twice. But… I’m okay, Adam. Really.”

He moved her jacket off her shoulder gently, and with her short-sleeved shirt under, she knew her arm was visible to him. She didn’t know what it looked like honestly- but she knew there was probably a mark, especially when his voice hitched, and he shook his head. He gently touched the spot, and she looked down. She had a large, dark, purpling bruise where he’d grabbed her, so tightly. No wonder it had ached so badly.

“Olive,” he whispered, bringing a hand into his hair and squeezing it so tightly. He looked like he wanted to throw something, break things… kill someone. And in a flash she realized all that he had really just lost with this revelation.

“I’m sorry, Adam. I know he was your friend… “

His hand fell limply, his face full of shock as he met her eyes once more. “He wasn’t. Olive… if he had been my friend, he never would have done… “ his eyes trailed back down to her dark bruise and his hand tightened into a fist until his knuckles were white, but then it relaxed and gently touched her arm once more. “He never would have laid a hand on you. Ever. He wouldn’t have said any of that… that… he abused you,” he said, his voice nearly a whisper on those last two words. “He was never my friend.”

Olive nodded. Because it was true. A good friend would not hit on someone’s ‘girl’… because Tom never knew it was fake.

“But you still thought he was your friend. You still lost something today. And it’s okay to feel sad about that,” she added. Because that was also true.

He shook his head sadly at her. “I don’t care about him. And I don’t care that we’re not friends…. I could care less about any of it. The only thing I worried about losing today… was you.”

At that, Olive looked closely at Adam. The way he said that… it almost felt like she meant the world to him. But… she knew she didn’t. She knew that he was in love with someone else. But… they were friends. And the sincerity in his voice made her heart constrict and tears rush to the surface.

It all just made her love him more.

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The moment Adam’s eyes rested on Olive’s arm, on that bruise, he felt rage within – he wanted to go right back to Tom and make good on this threat to kill him. Because Adam could hear that horrible recording churning through his mind, her gasp that punctuated a silent moment that he now knew meant that Tom had stepped close, grabbed her roughly, and forced her into a kiss—

Olive – his Olive. His friend. The woman he loved. She made him laugh right from the beginning. She was kind. And fun. And so smart. She had no idea. None. She didn’t know that her beauty lit her up from the inside out, and stole his breath just about every time he saw her. She held his hand because he hated needles. She was honest with him in a way that most people weren’t.

Even Tom, who he’d believed had been his friend, never told him what he really thought of him. Instead, he pretended to ‘get’ him while proceeding to be jealous to the point of destruction. Olive, on the other hand, had so much more to lose but still told him he was antagonistic and unapproachable. She said, “Fuck you, Adam,” to him when she was angry. And she apologized if she felt she needed to. With her, he got honesty. He got her best, her worst, her whole truth. Unlike Tom who pretended he had no issues with Adam but clearly did.

It hurt to think that Tom’s behavior to Olive in particular – because he was sure there were more victims of his abuse, power plays and misconduct – stemmed from his clear issues with Adam. He wanted to take something away from him. He said it himself. He’d cornered Olive on what should have been a proud day for her, and grabbed her, hurt her, tried to force her to sleep with him, to be at his mercy, and he threatened to steal her work. He hated to think of anyone talking to her like that; it made him feel sick. But to think that part of Tom’s aggression – that need to touch her like that, in a way that left a dark bruise – and that some of his hateful speech – stemmed from his issues with Adam… it just hurt so much more. Because Olive didn’t deserve one second of that. She deserved the world and he’d handed her over to the wolves.

He opened his mouth, struggling to find the words to say, but before he could say anything, he noticed her crying silently into his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” he asked softly. “Olive, tell me what I can do. Please.”

She shook her head. “I just… I’m happy that he’ll be held accountable. But…” she looked at him, blinking wet tears that made his heart feel like it was breaking.

“But what?”

“I just want you to know that I… I wasn’t using you to get… to get to the top, or whatever. I couldn’t stand if you thought that—”

Adam’s jaw fell open. Tom’s words. She… she better not believe one word that asshole had said to her. “Olive, no. Don’t believe any of it. Not one word he said. I know who you are. He doesn’t. He couldn’t size you up that quickly because he never got to know you, and he never had all the facts. And even if he had… Olive, he preyed on you because you’re a student. He used his power to hold you down. Don’t let his insecurities hurt you. I couldn’t bear it if you believed one word he said.”

She shook her head. “But Adam… this must be what everyone thinks. I mean… you’re you. And I’m just… me.”

He shook his head. “Just you?” he said, a soft smile on his face as he wiped a tear from her cheek. “Olive, you’re the girl that I met in my bathroom years ago – the one with some terribly expired contacts.”

Well, here goes—

Olive’s eyes got wide and she held his gaze. “You remember me?” she asked, and he was done allowing her to think she was anything less than extraordinary.

“You’re unforgettable, Olive. I should have told you this before, but, I don’t know. It never felt like the right time. And I was sure you didn’t remember me.”

“I did. Your words that day got me through so much. I just… I didn’t know it was you until more recently. I thought it might be. But… I can’t believe you remembered me.”

“Remembered you?” He let out a soft laugh. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that day.”

“But Holden said you were pining over someone from your department—”

“—You,” he said, quickly, before he lost the nerve. “I’ve been pining over you,” he said. “Though ‘pining’ is such a Holden word, can we think of another way to describe it?”

She shook her head. “But Adam… you could have anyone. You’re… you’re top in your field, you’re so accomplished… you’re handsome… and even though you try to hide it from basically everyone… you’re kind. Really kind.”

He gently hugged her to him. “There’s a chance that you’re the only one who thinks that—”

“So if others could just get to know you, they’d also see it—”

“—That’s just it. I don’t let too many people see who I am. I have no interest. And if they think I’m… antagonistic and unapproachable, okay. That’s fine. I don’t care about what anyone thinks of me. Except you.”

“Adam, I… I don’t know what to say,” she said, her voice still quivering with emotion.

“It’s okay, Olive,” he said. “I know you have feelings for Jer—”

“You,” she said, quickly. “I’ve had feelings for you, Adam,” she said, her voice so quiet she almost sounded lost. “That day… I was talking about you. And I covered it up. I’m sorry. I lied because I didn’t want to scare you off, make you leave. It was selfish. I wanted to keep doing what we were doing. I thought if you knew that I’d caught real feelings for you, you’d hightail it out of our arrangement because that would complicate things. And I didn’t really care about the arrangement anymore to be honest. I just wanted to spend time with you. I… I lied to you,” she said again.

And his heart sped up; it raced. He couldn’t believe it. She had feelings for him? He had no words. He kept opening his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

“And I’m probably freaking you out because that… that was a lot to share,” she babbled. “It’s okay if you liked me back then, but don’t anymore,” she hurried to add.

“Olive, I don’t like you anymore,” he said, his voice pitched low as he held her close to him. In this giant expansive park, it felt like it was just the two of them.

“Oh,” she said, surprised. And… hurt?

“At some point between that day in my bathroom and this day right now, I fell in love with you.”

She looked at him with entire worlds in her eyes. And before they could utter any more confessions, she leaned forward and pressed her mouth to his. His breath hitched as he wrapped his arms protectively around her and returned her kiss in full. This was their first real kiss. It was not part of some ruse. It was not because he’d helped to push a car for a friend. His arms were around her because she had feelings for him and he was madly in love with her. They kissed because they could. This wasn’t for anyone. Not Anh. Not Jeremy. Not the general student and faculty population at Stanford. This was for them. Because she had his heart. And she always would.

As they pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, breathing deeply.

“I love you, too, in case you couldn’t tell,” she finally said. And without moving, he smiled, his heart feeling so full.

“Olive!” Anh yelled, and he looked over to see their friends running toward them.

“My kalamata!” Malcolm added.

Adam stood first, and reached a hand down to help Olive up. Once standing, she folded herself into Adam’s embrace, burying her face in his chest.

“Thank you for finding me,” she said. “And believing me.”

“I’ll always believe you, Olive. Always,” he said.

As her friends got closer, Adam’s arms became Anh’s and Malcolm’s and Adam’s heart lurched as Olive cried once more as her friends cried and vented about everything that had happened. They loved her so much and Olive seemed bowled over by it all.

“How you holding up?” Holden asked Adam, quietly.

Adam sighed. “A lot better now,” he said honestly.

Holden nodded. “Tom’s done for. And Olive has so much love and support – she’ll be okay.”

Adam nodded, because he knew from his own experience with his advisor that abusive words could swallow you whole. He wouldn’t let that happen to her. He’d share his story. He’d make sure she didn’t believe one sick word of Tom’s. He’d take care of her. If she’d let him, he’d take care of her for the rest of his life.

He looked at Holden after a long moment. “I’m sorry that I never listened to you about him. I wish I had.”

Holden raised his eyebrows. “Please don’t apologize to me about anything. Tom is an asshole. And he’s kind of fucking evil, honestly,” he added, an angry frown on his face. Holden had such a big heart, he knew that that recording had torn him up nearly as much as it had torn Adam up.

Adam smiled. “Then you should have let me at him.”

Holden smiled. “If you got yourself arrested, who would be my best man at my wedding?”

Adam laughed and noticed Holden’s eyes flicker over to Malcolm repeatedly. “So it’s all about you, is it?”

“Usually, yes.”

Adam leaned into his friend quickly. “Thank you, Holden.” For being there. For trying to protect me. For caring about the woman I love. For being you.

Holden nodded. “Any time.”

O-A-O-A- O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A- O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A-O-A

Olive walked back into the hotel she had run out of earlier, feeling so overwhelmed with love. She couldn’t believe this was her life. How did she have these amazing friends and this amazing man who seemed to love her?!

Her world had shattered earlier today. Those words had left her raw and broken, sobbing in a park, so unbearably alone. They still left her with an ache inside because Tom had masterfully exposed years of self-doubt and just attacked her in those most vulnerable places.

But Adam’s warm, gentle assurances were like a balm on that ache.

Don’t believe any of it. Not one word he said. I know who you are.

I couldn’t bear it if you believed one word he said.

Just you?... Olive, you’re the girl that I met in my bathroom years ago – the one with some terribly expired contacts… You’re unforgettable.

I’ll always believe you, Olive. Always.

Tom hadn’t broken her. Not when she stood here, strong and unwavering, surrounded by so much love it made her heart cry happy tears.

“Earth to Olive,” Adam whispered, squeezing her hand reassuringly in his own.

She smiled shyly up at him. “I’m sorry. I’ve experienced a lot of emotions today. I’m just… processing.”

“I know what you mean.”

She took a deep breath. “Do I need to do anything now? To… to deal with this? Go to the conference officials? Harvard?”

Adam stopped walking and looked down at her. “If you wouldn’t mind it, I can take care of all of that for you.”

She looked up at him, relishing in the safety she felt in his arms. “But why would you do that? You’re the keynote speaker—”

“And I keynote spoke,” he said, with a small laugh.

“Smart ass,” she said, using his own nickname for her against him.

“Olive, I have the recording.” He closed his eyes. “When I confronted Tom, before I found you, I already made a comment to two conference officials. And the team over at Harvard, I know them well.”

“Wouldn’t that make it sort of complicated for you? I don’t want to put you in the middle of this any more than you already are—”

“And funny enough, being in the middle of what’s going on in your life… it’s exactly where I want to be.”

She shuddered a breath. She’d always taken care of herself. She hated to make anyone else clean up her mess.

“I want to do this, Olive. If I can spare you having to listen to that, to remember—if I can take away at least this one part for you – I’m asking you to let me. Because you mean more to me than anything else in the world. I can take care of this,” he said, bending down to meet her eyes. “And I can take care of you.”

A tear escaped as she pressed up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she said softly. “Thank you.” And with that, she kissed him – right in the lobby of the hotel where they were sharing a room. Right in front of so many… students, faculty…

She couldn’t believe that after the lying and the lattes, they’d wound up here. In each other’s arms. In love.

It felt like the best kind of dream. Because it came true.