To me, though, it was everything.
Like her old man, Harper wasn’t particularly keen on physical affection. So, whether I asked for it or not, every time she didn’t argue or grumble was monumental to me. At least for a moment, I could pretend I was doing something right. That I wasn’t completely fucking up this whole parenting thing.
I took the bag from her shoulder, holding out my other hand to gesture the girls forward. While I want to believe I did it because I was a gentleman, the truth of it was that I could easily slide my eyes to Olivia’s ass as she walked.
I’d hate myself for it later, but not now. Not when I knew this would likely be the only time I could openly stare and not worry about being caught.
Maybe I could satisfy my curiosity with just one look, though I doubted it.
I followed Olivia to the trunk of her fancy SUV, putting Harper’s duffel inside and closing the hatch. The girls had already climbed into the back, leaving the two of us alone once again.
“So, you’ll bring her home tomorrow?” I asked, already knowing the answer but needing to fill the silence anyway. I wasn’t quite ready for her to leave yet.
“Yeah, probably around two or so, if that’s okay. We’re going to Grady’s for dinner. I’d invite you and Harper, but—call me psychic—I can imagine you’ll say no.”
I dipped my head. “Maybe if the whole CEO thing doesn’t work out for you, you could join a traveling circus as a fortune teller.” It wasn’t that I didn’t like Grady or his cooking. I’d been invited to their house several times over the past few years. With Olivia there, though, it felt weird. Like I’d be intruding somehow. They were a family, and I was the outsider.
Also, a small part of me didn’t want to spend time with her in the presence of her ex-husband.
Not that I should want to spend time with her at all.
Olivia’s expression faltered for a second before clearing. Had I said something wrong? I thought it was funny. “Right. Do you want my number so that you can text me if things change?” she said, wincing. “Or, I guess you could get it from Lukas if you need it. I’m sure you don’t really want me having that kind of easy access to you.”
I didn’t, at all, but it would be the responsible thing to do. You know, in case of an emergency or something. At least, that’s what I told myself as I fished my phone out of my back pocket and handed it to her.
Olivia took it hesitantly, her fingers flying over the keys, before handing it back to me. “There. I programmed my number and sent myself a text so I’ve got yours.”
“Great. That’s great.”
We stood there for a second, neither of us knowing what to say. Finally, she snapped her fingers and pointed behind her to the driver’s side door. “Better get going. These girls have a lengthy list of things they want to do, and we’re definitely going to need to stop by the store.”
“Right,” I said, following as she stepped inside the car. With my hand on the door, I leaned in to talk to Harper in the back, but I realized my mistake too late. Olivia’s breath fanned out against my neck, causing goosebumps to crop up along my skin. “Uh, be good for Olivia, okay, Harp?”
What was I saying? I’d never done this when I sent her off with Grady. Never drew out our goodbye or lingered in his car.
“I will, Dad. I promise.”
“Alright. Well, yup. I’ll just let you girls go.” My eyes dropped to Olivia’s as I pulled back. “Let me know if you need anything.”
She smiled, albeit shakily. “Everything will be fine. Now, stop being so overbearing and enjoy your night.”
Olivia closed the door the moment I stepped back, turning the ignition over and reversing out of the spot next to my truck.I watched them leave, waving to the rearview mirror as they pulled onto the highway and headed into town.
Fishing out my phone, I was curious about what she had texted herself. Knowing her, it wasn’t a simple “hi” or “it’s Duke.” No, Olivia would’ve tried to add humor to the situation, whether to cover up some kind of embarrassment she felt or to make someone—me, in this case—smile.
Duke
Knew you’d look.
I couldn’t help but laugh. It was ridiculous and stupid, but god, it made me smile. What was worse, it felt good. I wasn’t sure what that meant. Feeling like this, feeling the walls I’d built so high lose a brick or two, made me nervous. But there was also something freeing about it.
That terrified me most of all.
Without thinking too much more about it, I went inside, turned the water of my shower as cold as it would go, and stepped beneath the icy rivulets.
OLIVIA
“Oh my gosh,you’ve been totheMet Gala?” Harper asked, eyes wide with excitement.