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“I love that idea! But can we do it tomorrow night? We’re going to be quite busy tonight with setup, and I think this one”—she throws her thumb back over her shoulder toward Josh—“needs an early night.”

I stifle a giggle, and before I move to the next stall, she reaches out to grab my forearm. “Quick, before he sees.” She hands me the light yellow tassel top in my size, blocking Josh’s view with her body.

She gives me a small wink, and as I turn, Millie Gilbert rounds the corner, arm in arm with my ex. I haven’t seen him in months. He stopped coming around once I’d threatened to call the police on him. My first instinct is to run and hide, perhaps behind the stall with Josh—he wouldn’t mind, would he?

But I’ve done nothing wrong; I’ve only ever worked hard to get where I am. I’m not going to cower like a scared child in the face of two bullies. Besides, they apologized on their video,and despite my suspicion about the increase in trolls, they haven’t posted anything since, so maybe this would all be okay.

I only wish this weren’t happening right in front of Nicole and the brand that I want to work with.

Chapter Fifteen

Austin

Chasing Olivia Daniels around the West Coast is the first time I think I might have a problem. Have I been invited to a fitness expo before? No. Have I paid an obscene amount of money to get a last-minute ticket? Yes. I almost tell the event manager that I am here for a woman, but from their shrewd look and rolling eyes, I don't think it would land quite like I want it to. Does it kind of sound like stalking? Yes. But as we know, I’m not completely averse to some light stalking. Besides, watching Olivia sleep is only scratching the surface of my obsession with her.

Thank god Luca is busy, or he'd be up my ass about this. Squeeze the Day is one thing; actually following her around is another. And I've avoided the subject completely with Dr. Alfie. Deciding what he doesn't know can't hurt my impending admittance to the hospital.

I know her schedule, so I head straight to Cowgirl Clothing. An image of Olivia in Daisy Dukes and a shirt undone, teasing me with the curve of her perfect breasts, fills my vision. I rub my eyes. Christ, I’m fucking doomed. For the love of all things holy, don’t let her be in those short shorts because I will pick her up like a sack of potatoes, throw her over my shoulder, and growl at anyone who dares try to stop me. But I pause for a moment. I spot her laughing with a small brunette who has leaned in to tell her a secret. Her eyes dart around, she looks happy, in her element. The woman passesher a lemon-colored top with tassels, and she quickly slips it into her bag as the brunette winks. She gives a small wave and turns right into...Oh, shit.

As I stride over to Olivia, I watch as Millie Gilbert's face softens, looking up at me. She’s a tiny, no-more-than-five-foot powerhouse. She’s defined, her toned and tanned stomach on display with a pierced belly button. Her neon orange athletic wear is blinding and I can’t help but think of a traffic cone.

“Hey, Killer.” I drop a kiss on top of Olivia’s head as I snake my arm around her waist, pulling her into me.

Her pretty mouth pulls apart as she glances up at me. She fits so perfectly tucked into the crook of my arm.

“You’re here,” she whispers.

“Thought you could leave without saying goodbye, did you? You’re going to pay for that,” I whisper so only she can hear. Her breathing hitches, but she pulls herself together to slide her hand over my stomach. I can’t help but tense; the thought of her hands slipping lower takes over as my cock wakes up. He’s been asleep all week—too sad that I’ve denied him a night thrusting into Olivia. I can't even get myself off. The poor guy just isn't up for it. Sulking at what could have been, suddenly fucking miserable at the thought of my fist.

Fuck, I’ve missed her.

I turn back to Millie and the ex in time to see Millie’s face sour and Travis turn absolutely feral.

“Friends of yours?” I ask dryly.

“This is Millie Gilbert. She has her own channel, and this is Travis...”

“I think you mean Ihadmy own fitness channel, Olivia. I was forced to delete it, remember?” Millie interrupts.

I ignore her, turning my attention to Travis. “So you’re the guy who thinks he’s due royalties from Olivia’s channel? The guy that has about eleven subscribers.”

Travis’s face begins to blow up. His lips twitch open and closed, open and closed like a goldfish swimming in circles. I have nearly a foot of height on him, so if he does anythingstupid, I know it’ll be easy to flick him away like the annoying gnat he is.

“And you”—I flick my gaze lazily to Millie—“I thought you’d have an epiphany of some sort? Something about reflecting on your past actions. At least that’s what your apology video to Olivia suggested.”

Millie’s shocked face moves between me and Olivia. I can feel her tensing beneath my arm as she grips the back of my shirt. My girl is brave, though. Face forward, she’s cool, calm, and collected. Millie watches her movements, and a triumphant sneer flashes across her face.

“Oh, I see...” Millie draws out. “You’ve hired a bodyguard to make yourself look important. Oh, bravo, Olivia. You really know how to work the room.”

“Not a bodyguard...but we do love a bit of roleplay, so thanks for the tip,” I snap back, pulling Olivia a little tighter against me.

Travis has almost turned purple, the poor sausage.

“You okay over there, big man?” I say jovially, insincerity woven between my words. I’ve been working on being a better person, but I’ll make an exception for these two idiots.

“Who exactly are you?” he spits out.

“I’m Austin, Olivia’s boyfriend.”