Olivia’s jaw dropped, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “Oh my god, you’re the worst.”
Grady turned toward her, lowering his sunglasses to peerover the top of them. “Consider it payback. You were insufferable when I was trying to navigate my relationship with Cleo.”
“I—That was different!”
“Was it?” He readjusted his glasses and looked back toward the field. “Doesn’t look like it to me.”
Olivia turned back toward the field, arms crossed tightly over her chest, clearly irked. Honestly, it was cute as hell knowing how easily Grady had ruffled her feathers.
As the game came to a close, I began gathering up the chairs. Harper and Charlie were talking to some of their classmates on the field. Parents said their goodbyes before heading off to their vehicles.
I thought I was going to get away unscathed when I felt a hand run along my lower back. “Duke, it’s so good to see you.”
Turning, I realized it was one of the women who’d been cruelly gossiping behind us. She was pretty enough, but rather plain. Nothing like Olivia.
“Just like every Saturday,” I deadpanned.
The nasal lady threw her head back in laughter. “I know I’ve asked before, but we really should get the girls together for a playdate. My Taylor has been begging me for weeks.”
Her daughter was clear across the field, rolling around in the grass with one of her teammates, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to bring an eight-year-old into the discussion.
“I don’t think?—”
“There you are.” Olivia breezed over, placing her hand on my arm. “Grady’s going to take the girls for the night, which means we,” she gestured between the two of us, “are free for the evening.”
“Olivia.” The lady in front of us cleared her throat. Her eyes landed on the spot where Olivia’s hand was touching my arm. “Duke and I were actually just discussing something.”
Olivia turned her attention to the woman. The smile shewore was sickly sweet. “I’m so sorry. I’m afraid I must cut it short. You see, I’ve got an ache Duke has just beendyingto clear up for me, isn’t that right, baby?”
I nearly choked on my own spit from trying to stop the laugh bubbling up. The lady’s face turned bright red. “I didn’t realize the two of you were?—”
“Athing?” Olivia finished for her, earning a rueful glare. “Yes, well, I don’t really see how that is any of your business, is it?” Then she leaned in, dropping her voice. “Let this be a lesson for you. No means fucking no. Duke has expressed his disinterest multiple times. It’s not cute to keep asking.”
And then she grabbed the collar of my shirt, pulling me in for a quick, yet searing kiss I felt all the way to my goddamn toes. People murmured around us, whispering harshly about my being off the market.
While it may not have been entirely true, it was one rumor I had no intention of debunking.
OLIVIA
On the wayhome from Harper’s game, Duke insisted we stop by the grocery store for supplies before heading to the guest cottage. Since we were both child-free—and his amazing staff agreed to cover the busy Saturday evening shift—we decided to close ourselves off from the rest of the world and spend our day in ignorant bliss.
Kissing him at the game was a mistake. I should feel guilty about setting the rumor mill turning, but I didn’t. Much like everything else we’d done last night, it felt right claiming him so publicly.
I’d heard every word the women at the game had said. It wasn’t the first time they’d talked about me, but I’d just ensured it wouldn’t be the last. While I’d been content to let things go, seeing Duke grow so protective was far too hot to ignore.
And yes, I could admit that Grady’s taunts had only fueled the flame.
I had, of course, played wingwoman to him when he’d gone down to Texas to win back his high school sweetheart. I’d also been the one to draw up our divorce papers before he everasked, forcing his hand because I knew he’d struggle with the decision himself.
We all needed a little push sometimes, and I’d been happy to give it to him. But my situation with Duke was different. We didn’t have a history to build on. We didn’t—we couldn’t—even have a future.
If I were a smarter, better woman, I would’ve let Duke handle the nosy woman himself and told him I had things to do around the house. I would’ve told him that as wonderful as last night had been, it couldn’t happen again.
Instead, I’d gripped his hand, pulled him toward our vehicles, and kissed him before begging him to stay with me tonight.
I rationalized my decision by telling myself Duke knew I couldn’t stay, and yet he chose to dive headfirst into the precarious waters anyway. If we were going to drown, it seemed as though we were going to drown together.
Now, as I looked over and saw him standing at the grill, so carefree with that easy smile on his face, I couldn’t bring myself to regret jumping in without a life preserver.