Page 92

TWENTY-EIGHT
Browsing celebrity news websites wasn’t something Oliver normally did with his time, but when Carmen mentioned she’d seen pictures of Adelia online with the Schultz ladies, he couldn’t help himself. The headline mentioned Genevieve and Merritt’s baby bellies as well as the fact that they were seen at a bridal boutique in Grand Rapids, shopping for Skylar’s wedding dress.
So, Adelia was back in Michigan.
As he browsed the photos, a wave of envy came over him that they got to spend time with Adelia and he didn’t. He hadn’t even known she was coming to Michigan again, and that hurt, but she was under no obligation to tell him when she was in town. Things between them were over. By his own choice. He couldn’t fault her for moving on and living her life, even if he still longed to be a part of it. Every day since she left, he wished he could take it back. But it was too late.
He closed his laptop and headed to the kitchen to heat up some leftovers. Just as he was dishing some fettuccini Alfredo onto a plate, the doorbell chimed. He quickly threw it into the microwave, set it for a couple minutes, and went to see who it was.
His heart skipped a beat when he opened the door.
“Hey, Olly.”
Adelia stood before him, looking as beautifully angelic as ever, and he couldn’t seem to find his words.
“Are you going to invite me in?” She twisted a blonde curl around her finger.
“Yes. Sorry.” He held the door back for her, and she breezed past him, leaving him in her coconut-scented wake. “I’m just surprised to see you.”
“I probably should’ve called first. Is it okay that I’m here?” She faced him, wringing her hands and biting the corner of her bottom lip, which only made him want to kiss that very spot.
“Uh … of course. Come in and sit.” The microwave beeped in the kitchen. “I’ll be right back. Do you want something to drink?”
“I’m okay. Something smells good.”
“Leftovers,” he called from the kitchen as he covered the plate for later and returned to the living room.
Seeing Adelia sitting on his couch felt unreal. He was happy, almost giddy, that she was in his house again. And her presence filled the hole in his heart that had been there for the past three months.
He took a seat on the opposite end of the couch and turned to face her with his arm resting on the back. “How are you?”
Her forehead was creased and there wasn’t a hint of a smile on her face. “I have a bit of a problem.”
“What’s up?”
She reached into her bag, and Oliver’s stomach sank at the sight of a large envelope. He took it from her grasp and perused the contents.
“We’re all pretty freaked out.”
“Thank you for bringing these to me. We’ll get right on it.”
“What do you think they mean? One way or another? I’m scared, Olly.”
He lay his hand on her shoulder. “Hey, if this person tries anything again, we’ll get ‘em. The littlest slip-up will lead us right to them. Trust me.”
“I hate this.” Her nose wrinkled up in the cutest way.
“I know.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze and removed his hand before he gave into the urge to pull her into his arms.
“You should stay at the Schultz’s main house.” He looked into her eyes. “Or you could stay here again.”
“You’re under no obligation to be my babysitter anymore, Olly.”
“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I’ll be okay.” She shifted to face him, mirroring the way he was sitting, with her arm on the back of the couch. “Let’s talk about something else. How are you?”
“Okay. How’s life in California? Did you start filming the movie yet?”