I wantedher.
The woman was a mess, but in the best and most beautiful way imaginable. I’d been so wrong about her when she first came home, so ready to jump the gun with some bullshit opinion, I hadn’t even stopped to consider if my judgment may have been clouded because of my past.
Seeing her with Charlie and Harper one time was enough for me to realize she was nothing like my ex-wife. Sarah wouldnever have sat on the ground during a soccer game to support her daughter’s best friend, but Olivia hadn’t balked. That was the moment I realized I could see her sitting there every week—cheering Harper on alongside me. I could see her being part of our lives long-term.
When she crashed into our lives at the grocery store, I’d stupidly believed she’d somehow ruined everything I built when in reality, she seemed to right all my wrongs. She chased away the darkness and pulled me into the light.
The couch dipped beside me, and I turned to find Lukas sitting next to me with a beer in hand. He’d discarded the black suit jacket and tie at some point, wearing a crisp white shirt with the top buttons undone. Even though I’d seen him nearly every day for the past week and a half, there was something about him that looked even more tired than normal.
Maybe the reality of the situation was finally hitting home.
“He would’ve hated this shit,” Lukas said, bringing the bottle to his lips. “Everyone dressed to the fucking nines, talking about how great he was.” He shook his head. “Biggest bunch of kiss asses I’ve ever seen.”
I followed his gaze back to the man talking to Olivia. “Who is he?”
“Edward Montgomery. He owns a property development company in New York. Liv told me he’s been sniffing around John’s property for years, trying to convince him to sell.” Lukas’s face curled in disgust. “I’m sure he’s here out of the kindness of his heart and nothing else.”
If I hadn’t been paying such close attention to Olivia these past few weeks, I would’ve thought the conversation she was having was entirely normal. She was smiling, nodding her head at all the right times. Hell, there was even a bit of polite laughter now and then.
But the problem was that I knew her better than that now. Istudied her movements, her ticks, every time we were in each other’s presence, trying to figure out if this attraction was all in my head or if it was something else entirely.
The smile she wore didn’t reach her eyes. It was the polite, forced one she often gave when she felt uncomfortable. And there was no warmth to her laughter. She stood rigid as a goddamn board while this prick attempted to work his charm for his own benefit. Occasionally, her gaze would drift around the room as though searching for someone. When it landed on me, I expected her to look away quickly, but she didn’t. Instead, it lingered, warming me up from the inside.
“I’ll be right back,” I murmured to Lukas.
I didn’t wait for his reply before pushing to my feet and striding toward Olivia. Neither of us broke eye contact as I slid around the dick in a suit and placed my hand on her lower back. On instinct, she sidled up next to me, soaking up my warmth.
“Need anything, honey?” I asked, turning my head so my lips brushed her temple.
Her eyes closed momentarily. “No, I’m okay. Thank you, though.” I was prepared to make an excuse to get her out of there when she said, “Duke, this is Edward Montgomery. Edward, meet Duke Bennett.”
Edward’s smile faltered as he took us in, but his polite, business-like demeanor won out. He thrust his hand forward. “Pleased to meet you, Duke.”
I glanced down at it for a second before taking it. His shake was weak and a little clammy. “Can’t say the same, Eddie.”
Olivia’s head spun my direction, and the man blanched, snatching his hand back. I couldn’t tell if she was going to have my ass for that comment or not, so I added, “You know, because we’re at a funeral.”
“Yes. Very unfortunate,” Edward said, glancing toward Olivia. “I was just telling Ms. Hart here that her uncle and I goway back. Further than I care to mention.” He chuckled, slipping one hand into his pocket. “There were some business negotiations still taking place, in fact. I know it’s not the best time, but?—”
“Maybe we should wait until the dirt fills his grave before we go talking business, Edmond?” I interrupted, pulling Olivia tighter to my side. “Seems pretty fucking insensitive to try and bring it up before then, if you ask me.”
“My name is Edward,” he hissed through clenched teeth. “And how dare you speak to me like that!” His unbelieving gaze traveled to Olivia, waiting for her to jump to his rescue. “Ms. Hart, I really must insist we take our conversation elsewhere. I will not tolerate such ill-mannered behavior from someone who couldn’t even begin to understand such matters.”
Oh, this motherfucker was just begging to get his ass handed to him. A task I was more than willing to take care of, but it turned out that I didn’t need to. Olivia’s body went rigid at his tone, turning her full attention to the small man in front of her.
“You talk about ill-mannered behavior as though you weren’t plucking up the courage to ask me about my uncle’s estate and the land that comes with it on the day we buried him,” she snapped. “And while he may have entertained your business propositions for fun, allow me to make one thing very clear, Mr. Montgomery. I amnothim, and I don’t give a shit about what you were trying to swindle him into before his death because I am here now to protect his legacy, and that doesn’t include business dealings with Montgomery Holdings.”
Edward stammered, but nothing came out. I stepped closer, placing my hand on his shoulder. “I’d make sure the next words that come out of your mouth are carefully chosen. My girl deserves respect.”
He glanced between Olivia and me, giving us both an awkward nod before turning on his heel and exiting the housewithout so much as a backward glance. Lukas, who was still watching us closely from his seat on the couch, raised his beer bottle in a silent salute.
“What a fucking dick,” Olivia muttered. I shifted, looking down at her.
Though clearly haunted by the events of the day, the corner of her lips lifted a fraction as we watched Edward’s car disappear, turn onto the main road, and head back into town.
“At least he’s gone,” I said.
My hand still rested on her back—something others around us were beginning to take notice of, judging by the number of curious glances our way. While I knew I should move it, I couldn’t. Not when it was giving her comfort.