I rolled my eyes. “Forgive me for offering comfort to a friend.”
“And you slept here,” Grady pitched in, trying not to smile.
“Olivia said she didn’t want to be alone,” I muttered. “And the girls wanted to have a sleepover.”
“And where, pray tell, did you rest your head?” Lukas asked, finishing his beer. “Was it on the couch, or next to Olivia?”
“Both, smartass. We all fell asleep watching a movie. I trust you noticed the fucking nest the girls built in your living room?” Lukas didn’t say anything, just continued staring daggers at me. “Look, I don’t know how else to tell you that nothing happened between your sister and me last night.”Because we kissed this morning. And I would have kept kissing her if I had the chance.“There’s nothing between us.”
Lie, lie, lie. It was all I seemed to be doing. And not just to my best friend, but me. Trying to convince myself I wasn’t falling for Olivia was futile. It was happening whether I wanted it to or not.
And I did want it. I wanted her so badly I could hardly breathe. She’d completely taken over my life until I was just as concerned about her and Charlie’s wellbeing as I was mine and my daughter’s.
Both men were silent for a moment before Grady spoke up. “Do you want there to be?” He raised his hands as I turned to him, ready to attempt to convince him—and myself—that I only viewed Olivia as a friend. “For what it’s worth, I kinda hope you do. Liv deserves someone great. You kinda seem to fit the bill. And Charlie already knows and adores you, so it’s not like I have to worry about what you’re like with our daughter.” He shrugged. “That’s all I’m saying.”
Having his approval felt monumental. Like some major breakthrough I didn’t even know I was trying for.
I just wish it mattered.
Every person at this table knew there was nothing capable of rooting Olivia to one spot. Her sense of duty was too great for her to ignore. It was one of the things I admired most about her. At least, it had been until I realized it was what was keeping us apart.
“As much as I appreciate the pat on the back, there’s nothing to report.” I stood up, collecting the empty beer bottles from the table. There was no way I could keep having this same conversation. Eventually, I’d fold like a damn lawn chair and spill all my secrets. I’d tell them exactly how much Olivia meant to me and how desperate I was for her to stay. “No intentions. No secret plans. Nothing.”
“Doesn’t mean you don’t want there to be,” Lukas said, softening his tone. “And I’m just gonna go on record and say that I agree with my former brother-in-law. My sister only deserves the best, and you’re the best man I know.” He gestured between himself and Grady. “Present company excluded, obviously.”
“What about the present company?” Olivia asked, walking over and bracing her hands on the back of her chair.
Lukas smirked, jerking his head my direction. “Oh, you know… Just telling Duke what a great guy he is, and how any woman would be lucky to have him in their corner.”
Olivia looked toward me suspiciously. “That’s a weird topic of conversation.”
Fuck. Now she was going to think I had something to do with it, when I’d been trying to shut it down all along. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I was trying to manipulate her into staying.
“Why’s it weird?” Lukas asked. “Can’t a man compliment his friend? Women do that shit all the time.”
“I mean, yeah, but?—”
“Thank you. Point made.”
Olivia turned toward Grady. “What’s your excuse?”
“Duke and I are friends,” he added. “I’m with your brother on this one.”
I stepped away from the table. “This conversation took a weird turn. I’m grabbing more beers.”
Without waiting for an answer, I headed through the French doors to the beer fridge on the patio. I reached inside, grabbing three beers before turning to head inside. Only, I was surprised to see an angry blonde waiting for me.
“Fuck,” I cursed, nearly dropping the drinks. “Warn a guy next time, won’t you?”
She reached out, grabbing my arm and pulling me around the corner and out of sight. “What did you say to them?” she hissed.
Oh, she was pissed alright. I could see the fire raging in her eyes, begging to be let out, and I was the fucker crazy enough to take the brunt of her wrath so long as it made her feel better.
“I didn’t say anything. Your fucking brother and ex-husband kept asking what my intentions were and, despite me denying everything until I was blue in the face, they wouldn’t let it go.”
She blinked up at me in surprise before forcing back on a cold mask. “Well, why were they talking about how great you were? Did you ask them to change my mind or something?”
I tilted my head to the side. “If you really think I’d do that, then you don’t know me as well as I hoped.” As much as I wanted her to stay, I didn’t want it to be because I pulled some fucking trick. I wanted it to be becauseshewanted to stay. Becauseshewantedme.