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“Give me a break, D. I’m not a total idiot.”

“I never said that.”

“You think I’m too soft.”

“Well.” Dana’s expression turned fondly exasperated. “You can be. A little too nice, too trusting, and it comes back to bite you on the ass.”

“She did.”

“What?”

“Bite me on the ass.” Olivia laughed. “I loved it.”

“You slept with her?” Dana all but shrieked.

“When we got stuck the other day, yes.” Olivia did soften at the memory. “She opened up to me. Her past made her tough and resilient. She likes to be in control, you’re right. But I like her power and authority. She takes no shit from anyone, and why should she? Underneath it all, she’s also warm and funny, kind and caring. Vulnerable, and deeply emotionally switched on. It’s beautiful.”

This time, Dana’s glance was loaded with resignation. “Too late to warn you off, by the sound of it.”

“Too late,” Olivia said firmly. “But thanks for looking after me, even though it can be irritating as hell sometimes.”

“That’s what best friends are for.”

“Yes. I don’t take you for granted, D. And your babysitting Everett for me yet again.”

“Then show me your appreciation.”

“How?”

Olivia groaned, wary again, but her friend broke into a mischievous grin. “How was the sex in Dodger? Ass-biting, eh? You’ve got to tell me more about that!”

chapter 22

In her high-rise, kick-ass, business tycoon office, the powerful, older, wiser woman stabbed the intercom button on her desk for the third time in under an hour.

“Is she here yet?”

“Not yet, Ms. Michaels.” Libby was wise enough herself not to let any impatience she may feel at the constant interruptions pierce through her reply. “I will let you know the very second Ms. Bianchi arrives in the building, as instructed.”

“Right.”

Grace frowned at her watch and she stood up again to pace the office. She’d tried to work but simply could not concentrate. Lack of focus due to impatience… Since when did she—Don’t.She stopped abruptly as she remembered the last time she had felt this way. Happy… Excited. It was on that fateful Christmas Eve, of course. There had not been a cloud on her horizon as she prepared to meet her girlfriend. It was their first Christmas as a couple. They’d been on the edge of coming out and spending the rest of their lives together. How much she had wanted it…Stop,Grace repeated to herself. The past was over and gone now. She owed it to herself and Olivia to dwell in the present. Though another glance at her watch made her wonder if it were broken.For Christ’s sake! Had her driver decided to detour via the West Coast on his way back from the airport? Then…

“Ms. Michaels,” Libby called. “Your guest has arrived and is on her way up.”

“Send her in ASAP.” Grace was not going to greet her lover in the main office in front of curious staff.

A couple of minutes later, Libby finally knocked and ushered Olivia in.Alright…Grace held back on a purr of satisfaction at the sight of her in tight black jeans, polished boots, and a white Henley that made it pretty obvious she must be bra-less underneath.She’s gorgeous.

“Is there anything else you—”

“That’s it.” Grace waved Libby off.

“Thanks,” Olivia told the PA, who smiled at her in polite acknowledgment. She turned to Grace as the door closed softly behind her assistant and raised an amused eyebrow. “Hey, that was rude.”

“What was?”

“Cutting her off like that. Dismissing her with such a casual wave.”