Page 25 of Oliver (The Golden Team #7)

Emery

S unlight filtered through the blinds, casting soft lines across the sheets. I stretched slowly, sore in the best way, and smiled before I even opened my eyes.

Oliver’s arm was draped over my waist, his breath warm against the back of my neck. We were wrapped around each other like we were afraid to let go—even in sleep.

I let my eyes drift shut again, content.

That lasted exactly four seconds.

Knock knock knock.

“Dad?” Olly’s voice called through the door. “Are you guys awake? I’m hungry. Like... starving. Like I might die.”

Oliver groaned behind me.

“I told him nine o’clock,” he muttered. “It’s not even seven.”

“Maybe he thinks it’s an emergency,” I said, biting back a laugh.

Olly knocked again. “Emery? Are you alive? I had a dream you turned into a mermaid and swam away. You better not be a mermaid.”

I snorted, sitting up and reaching for a robe. “Guess the honeymoon’s over.”

Oliver flopped onto his back with a sigh. “I love him, but he’s got a gift for timing.”

I padded over to the door and cracked it open. Olly stood there in pajama pants and a t-shirt with a dragon on it, his hair sticking up in every direction.

When he saw me, his face lit up.

“Hey!” he said, throwing his arms around me without hesitation. “You didn’t turn into a mermaid!”

“Nope. Still human.” I kissed the top of his head. “And very glad to see you.”

“I’m glad you’re not gone. That guy who hurt you better not come back. Because Dad said if anyone tried anything again, he’d break all their bones and then River would break the rest.”

“That sounds about right,” Oliver called from the bed.

Olly nodded seriously, then leaned in. “Did you know Faron said he can shoot a rattlesnake from, like, two miles away? With a potato gun?”

I blinked. “A... potato gun?”

“Yeah. I’m not sure it’s true, but I believed it when he said it.”

I grinned. “Sounds like Faron.”

Olly looked up at me, his voice a little softer now. “Are you okay?”

I crouched down to his level and took his hands. “I am. I was scared, but I’m safe now. And being here with you and your dad... it makes me feel really safe.”

He nodded solemnly, then said, “Cool. Can we make pancakes?”

“Absolutely.”

“Can we put chocolate chips in them?”

“Is that even a question?”

He let out a triumphant whoop and bolted down the hall toward the kitchen, yelling, “Dibs on first pancake!”

I stood there for a second, watching him go, feeling my heart stretch in all the best ways.

Oliver appeared behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind.

“He’s a good kid,” he said.

“He’s the best kid,” I whispered.

Oliver pressed a kiss to my neck. “You’re stuck with us now, you know.”

“Good,” I said, leaning into him. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

The kitchen smelled like melted chocolate and maple syrup.

Olly sat at the counter, chin propped in his hand as he watched the first pancake bubble on the skillet. “You’re a way better cook than Dad, but he’s a good cook too,” he said casually.

“Hey! It’s a good thing you added that last part,” Oliver called from the fridge, holding up a carton of orange juice.

Emery laughed as she flipped the pancake perfectly onto a plate. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle breakfast. You two sit and enjoy your breakfast.”

“Done,” Oliver said, stealing a kiss on her cheek as he passed. “But I get the next pancake.”

“You can try ,” Olly said, already reaching for the syrup.

They ate together at the small kitchen table—bare feet brushing under the chairs, mugs full of coffee and milk, the sound of birds outside the window.

For the first time in weeks, everything felt normal.

Safe.

Halfway through her second cup of coffee, Oliver’s phone buzzed on the counter.

He picked it up, scanned the screen, and raised his brows.

“It’s River,” he said, swiping to answer. “What’s up?”

Emery sipped her coffee and tried not to eavesdrop.

That didn’t last.

“Wait. Say that again?” Oliver stood straighter. “Are you sure?”

He listened for a few more seconds, then let out a breath and nodded. “That’s... incredible. Thank you. Yeah, I’ll tell her.”

He hung up and turned to Emery.

“They got them,” he said.

She blinked. “Got who?”

“All of them. The FBI arrested the arms dealers. And the corrupt CIA handlers who were running the whole thing. Turns out they’d been selling military weapons and secrets overseas, pocketing millions.”

Emery set her mug down slowly. “Wait... all of them ?”

He nodded. “Victor talked. The men who tried to kill you. Everyone who played a role in covering it up. The phone you saw? That blew it all open. They raided three safehouses this morning.”

Her jaw dropped.

“They said you don’t have to worry anymore,” Oliver added gently. “You’re officially off their radar. You’re safe.”

She sat in stunned silence for a beat. Then she exhaled—long, hard, like she’d been holding her breath for months and finally could let go.

“Also...” he grinned, reaching into his pocket and tossing a folded sheet of paper onto the table.

She picked it up.

It was an email from her agent.

SUBJECT: Contract Termination Approved.

Her hand flew to her mouth. “You mean—?”

“You’re free,” he said. “That trainer’s out. The committee agreed to a graceful exit. No backlash. No penalties. You’re done.”

She laughed. And then she cried. Just a few tears—but they were full of relief, freedom, and something else she hadn’t felt in a long time: possibility .

Olly leaned across the table and poked her arm. “So... does that mean you can stay with us forever now?”

She sniffed, wiped her eyes, and smiled. “Yeah, kiddo. It means I can stay until you two get tired of having me around.”

He grinned. “Awesome. You can help me train my lizard to skateboard.”

Oliver gave her a look. “You agreed. No take-backs. We will never get tired of having you around. Emery Blake, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

“Yes!” Olly shouted.

Emery cried, then she finally said yes, and Olly beat me to her. He was in her lap hugging her. “My turn, buddy. I lifted him down and picked Emery up and kissed her as if I could never get enough of her.

“You have made me so happy. I love both of you so much.”

We love you too,” Olly said, before I could.

I whispered into her neck how much I loved her. “We will be so happy together,” I said, kissing her again.

She glanced out the window, sunlight streaking through the trees, and something clicked.

Swimwear. Activewear. Not for models or Olympic dreams—but for real women .

She nudged Oliver’s arm. “Hey. What do you think about this... A boutique. Sporty, sleek. Outdoor clothes made by someone who truly understands the outdoors. Comfortable and strong.”

He smiled “Are we finished hugging and kissing?”

She laughed. “We’ll finish that later. This will be perfect. I won’t have to have anyone else stay with Olly. He can be with me when you have to go away to work.

“I think it sounds like your next gold medal. Thank you,, for loving Olly, and thinking about him when you plan your life with us.”

“I love Olly as if he were mine.”