If she’d stay.
While this weekend had been great in so many ways, it was like a false sense of security. We all saw the massive elephant standing in each room we entered, but no one spoke about the meeting with the lawyer on Monday. No one uttered a word about the possibility of Olivia leaving. It was like it didn’t exist.
Only it did, and it was damn near all I could think about.
“Scratch that, Grady,” Lukas mumbled. “This one’s pathetic too.”
“I’m not pathetic.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Your actions say otherwise.”
“Weren’t you the one wondering what my intentions were with your sister?” I snapped. “Well, now you fucking know.”
My mood had grown worse as the day dragged on. I wasn’t going to let the girls see the shift, but I was done pretending around Lukas and Grady. They were just going to have to deal with my sorry ass sulking around as the weekend came to a close.
“What crawled up your ass and died?” Lukas asked.
I knew what my best friend was doing. He wasn’t stupid. He was, however, an asshole who would force me to confront my feelings rather than let me dig myself into a hole I’d struggle to climb out of.
I stared straight ahead, watching the sun dip lower in the sky. It nearly kissed the tops of the pines. “I love her.”
The words were little more than a whisper, but they felt like a scream. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. When Sarah and I divorced, I swore I’d never let myself end up in this position again. Not just because of Harper’s feelings, but my own. The depression I fell into after realizing my marriage had fallen apart had nearly destroyed me. It’d taken a long time, but with help, I managed.
Being with Olivia had changed me. It made me want and wish and dream for a life better than the one I was going through the motions in. I laughed more now than I ever had with my ex-wife. Loved harder, too.
Harper’s happiness seemed to improve tenfold. She spoke confidently about things she wanted, and didn’t spend her days hiding away in her room when it was just the two of us. We ate most meals together, and she even came over to the bar sometimes to help us get ready for opening.
For the first time in years, the family I always wanted was right within reach.
“Well, no shit, Sherlock,” Lukas grumbled.
“Glad you finally pulled your head out of your ass,” Grady added. “Do I need to give you the stern ex-husband talk?”
“Why are we talking about my ass so goddamn much?” I asked.
“I already pulled my big brother card,” Lukas added. “You’re safe.”
I glanced between the two, who had shit-eating grins ontheir faces. “Alright, then why’re you asking me stupid questions then?”
“I didn’t ask you if you loved her, I asked what has you in such a pissy mood. I’m not an expert, but I don’t think love is supposed to look like that.” Lukas gestured toward me. “You look like the old Duke. The one who never smiled and only spoke in grunts.”
I ran my hand through my hair, ignoring his jab. “I can’t just tell her?—”
“Why not?” Grady interrupted. “Worked for me.”
“Yeah, well, it’s not the same, is it? You and Cleo were a thing before you decided to beg your way to a second chance.”
“Third,” Grady corrected.
“Whatever.” I waved him off. “The point is, I don’t have that with Olivia. I may have known her my whole life, but not romantically. It’s fucking crazy to ask someone to stay for something that’s not even two months old.”
“No, it’s crazynotto if that’s how you feel.” Lukas leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. “I may not be an expert on love or the fine rules of marriage, but I know if you find something worth holding on to, then you should fucking try.”
“Are you just saying all that because it’s your sister?”
“I love my sister. I want the best for her, but I want the best for you, too. You’re the closest thing I have to a brother?—”
“I take offense at that,” Grady mumbled.