Page 16

I haven’t convinced Olivia to come back for another sleepover, and I miss her when I’m gone for a few days to have meetings with a new sports team and their coaches.

I do get to see her in class, and that gets me by. But it’s not enough. I’m addicted to her. Her smile, the pout she gives me when I tease her, her smart remarks…

It’s Friday, and I’m finally able to catch her in her lab before she leaves. The crinkle around her eyes when she smiles makes me so unbelievably happy. She’s not just putting it on like I see her do to some of the people around the center.

Brushing her hair from her face, I gather it at the base of her head and lean in for a kiss. Her mouth parts for me automatically.

It’s a slow, passionate kiss. I work to show her how much I’ve missed her company. How the night she spent with me is just a taste. When our mouths break apart, she’s breathing heavily, and I smile.

“You have no idea how badly I wish I could spread you across this table and taste every part of you. One night was not enough to satisfy me.” Not at all. Not even close.

Her soft laugh fills up my chest. Part of me wonders if she’d let me do it. The potential of being caught be damned.

“Come have dinner at my sister’s this weekend.”

Olivia jolts, a wild look in her eyes before she covers it up. I’m probably moving too fast, but when I know what I want, I dive straight into trying to get it. And I want Olivia to be a part of my life.

Here, at home, with my family. Every part of it.

My best bet is to try soothing how nervous she is about the suggestion. It’s obvious in the way she won’t meet my gaze.

“Just come by. My sister’s cooking, and Ruby will be there—it’s nothing fancy.” My hand in her hair tips her head back, and I plant soft, lingering kisses across her neck. The way her hands tighten on my shoulders makes me a little bolder. “Please?”

The tension leaks out of her, and her face turns toward mine. She cracks. “Okay. Should I bring anything?”

“Just your appetite.”

That earns me a laugh, and I steal one more kiss before I let her go.

Olivia shakes her head and narrows her eyes at me teasingly.

I back away with a smile, watching until I can’t see her anymore. Then, I call my sister to confirm that Olivia is coming on Saturday.

“Anything I need to know, Casanova?”

I laugh at her. “No. She’s easy to please. And you’re a good cook, so there’s nothing to worry about. Ruby will there too.”

“They’ve met? Oh, this is serious, Nickola.”

“I want it to be.”

My sister makes a small noise on the other end of the line. “Okay. Be here by one. I’m not keeping it warm for you if you’re late again.”

“Will do. See you, then, sis.”

On Saturday afternoon, Ruby and I go to pick Olivia up. Her parents’ house is a quaint ranch with green shutters and a white face. The door is a dark, forest green with a white wreath on the front.

I don’t have to knock, but I’m out of my Jeep and halfway to her when she emerges. The dress she has on shows off her curves and those long, shapely legs. Her calves are thick with muscles, and I know how nice her thighs are, especially when they squeeze around my head.

I wish I was taking her to my home instead of picking her up.

Her smile makes me feel light inside. And she’s got a pastry box in her hands. “I couldn’t come empty-handed. We made cheesecake bites this morning, so I thought I’d share. I hope that’s okay.”

“Ooo,” Ruby says from the backseat, the window down as she watches us. Her eyes big and innocent.

Olivia beams back at her. “I’ve got both cherry and double chocolate.”

I buckle her into my Jeep, loving the sparkle in her eyes.

Ruby pops her headphones on, and I link my fingers together with Olivia’s on the drive.

“What’s she listening to?”

“A new audiobook.”

“Ooo, ammo to talk to her about at dinner.”

How does this woman always give me the perfect response? I lift her knuckles to my mouth for a soft kiss.

“So, my sister isn’t a chef at the top restaurant in the city, but she is pretty good. Homestyle. I think you’ll like her cooking.” I wink at her.

Her laughter is soft and delightful. “I’m not a food snob.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.” She knocks into my shoulder with hers, and I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I do with her. “So, who else is going to be there? Am I going to meet your parents?”

“Yeah. They’ll be there. That isn’t a problem, is it?”

“Just a very serious step, you know. Do you have intentions that I’m not aware of?”

“I’m going to let you in on a secret. I like being around you.” I take a peek at her when we hit a stop sign.

Olivia bats her lashes at me. “I like being around you too. That doesn’t make this any less…intense?”

“I’m telling you. There’s no pressure here. You’ve already impressed the most important person in my life.” I toss my head back to indicate my daughter.

“I’ve impressed her?” She lowers her voice. “Was it the cheesecake bites?”

I laugh. “She hasn’t even tasted them yet.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

I shake my head and squeeze her hand. “I think it’s more that you listen and engage with her rather than running her over because she’s a kid.”

Olivia gasps dramatically. “She is a teenager. How do you get away with calling her a kid and not having her hate you?”

My face hurts from how much she makes me laugh. “Like I repeatedly tell her, she’s my kid. My baby. And she always will be.”

“Good save.”

We arrive at my sister’s house, and I don’t want to let go of her hand, but I do. Ruby is smiling up at Olivia when I round the car.

“So, what book are you listening to?” Olivia asks my daughter, who makes a face that would normally shut down my line of questioning.

“It’s this book my friends convinced me to read: A Court of Thorns and Roses ?” Ruby squints up at Olivia. “Have you read it?”

“I have, but what do you think?” What a pro this woman is.

Ruby shrugs, head tipping from side to side. “I don’t know. I don’t connect with the main character. It’s?—”

My daughter sighs.

“Yeah?”

“It’s just not great? I’m trying to keep an open mind.”

“Sounds like a good idea. I hear book two is better.”

Ruby chuckles. “I heard that too. I guess it’s entertaining enough?”

“No problem with DNFing a book, but if you’re entertained, stick with it.”

“Okay. I will.”

Olivia knocks her elbow against Ruby’s, and they share a small smile.

I slide my hand to Olivia’s back as I knock and lean in to talk in her ear. “You are far too good at this.”

Her grin has me grinning back as Marielle opens the door. My sister’s eyes are a bit wide before her face goes back to a positive neutral.

“Marielle, this is Olivia. Olivia, my sister, Marielle.”

Olivia proffers the box. “My brother made treats. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not.” She graciously takes the dessert from Olivia. “It’s nice to have someone contribute.”

Marielle pins me with a playful glare. I’ve cooked plenty for her over the years. She’s just too Italian to let any of us in her kitchen for prolonged periods of time.

“Anyway, come in. Come in. Dinner is almost done. There are some snacks on the island to pick at.” My sister waves us in, and Olivia gestures for Ruby to go first, stepping in behind her.

I don’t let her get too far from my touch, and Marielle clocks the move. Her brow shooting up with an almost silent mm-hmm .

But when we step into the kitchen, I’m struck, like a wrecking ball to my chest, when I see my ex-wife leaning against the counter with a glass of white wine in her hand.

I’m stuck in place, only able to turn my gaze to my sister. What the fuck, Marielle?

Even Ruby takes a step back to be within my reach, her eyes hard and wide.

It’s an ambush. What kind of cruel trick is this?

Lisa sets down her glass on the counter, perfectly quaffed blonde hair, winged eyeliner, and pearl-pink lips a reminder of all the fakery in our marriage.

I suck in a shuddering breath, hot and cold at the same time as my hand convulses behind Olivia’s back before it drops.

My ex spreads her arms for Ruby. “Well, is this how you greet your mother?”