Page 11 of Accidental Theirs

Damien blinks, turning toward me and frowning. His eyes are a bit glassy, and I’m surprised.

“I don’t drink much.”

I’m hit by a pang of guilt for making fun of him.

I clap him on the shoulder. “Hey, no judgment.”

I don’t know the man that well, but I know he’s run Carter Holdings for years, and Yvonne and Richard never had a single complaint about him.

“Saw you strike out earlier,” Damien teases back, and it stings but only a little.

I shrug. “It happens.”

“Not to you.”

I snort. “Not that often, no. But everyone gets rejected now and again.”

“I’d think a guy your age would want to settle down.”

“Nah. I’m a lifelong bachelor.”

Damien just nods, looking back down into his water cup. He seems a little off, but again, I don’t know him that well, so maybe he’s normally like this.

I don’t say anything more. With the four drinks I’ve had, I may start getting maudlin. And there is no way this is the right place or time for that.

I had love once. Thought I had it forever.

Shit happened, and now it’s over.

I’m not looking for another. Not now. Not ever.

Chapter Four

DOMINIC

She’s blocked my number.

My phone shamefully displays the several calls I’ve made to Olivia, the undelivered texts.

I sigh.

I hoped to see her here, but so far, I’ve only spoken to Sebastian.

The club isn’t usually my scene–I prefer dive bars and smaller groups of people–but in order to see Olivia, I would walk into hell itself.

Olivia Carter is the one that got away, and God, I wish she knew I’m a better man now. A different man.

After taking my drink from Sebastian, I trail over to the dance floor, scanning the crowd and hoping I catch sight of her.

There are plenty of beautiful women here, but no Olivia, at least not that I can see.

Marie walks over to me, giggling and taking my hands. “Want to dance?”

I only know her peripherally, have seen her at the officesigning paperwork in preparation for the Titan merger, and I give her a smile as I release her hands.

“Not yet. Have you seen Olivia?”

She looks mildly disappointed that I won’t dance with her. “She went to the restroom.”