“It wasn’t hard to find out,” he said sadly. “I was concerned Bill wouldn’t show up because of some bullshit work excuse. But he did. I saw you two together, and that was tough, but it was nothing compared to how heartbroken you were. I could see it in your face . . . and he didn’t do shit . . . I wish it had been me by your side.”
I stared at him in mild shock. It hadn’t occurred to me David might show. That he might watch me go through the motions, ignore Bill’s grief and his attempts to comfort me, however lame they were. That he’d be there in case I’d needed him.
After a beat, he asked, “Are you mad?”
“Mad?” I exclaimed. “I can’t believe you did that for me.”
“I told you I was looking out.” He ran his thumb under one of my eyes and then the other. “Don’t cry.”
“I’m so lucky,” I said. Before he could respond, I put back the dress and rose onto the balls of my feet to kiss him, steadying myself on his forearms. Even then he had to lean down to meet me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“It was my pleasure.” He smiled. “What do you want for breakfast?”
It was such a regular, everyday inquiry, but I couldn’t help smiling wider. We were a couple now, and those were the things couples asked each other. “I’ve been too preoccupied to think about it.”
“Mmm, preoccupied you say?” he asked, reaching under my robe and tightening his hand over my ass. “What do you want?”
I could only focus on the way his hand possessively pulled me against him. “Hmm?”
“For breakfast.”
I didn’t want to eat. I just wanted to stay there with David all day. “Did I ever tell you how sexy you look in a suit?” I breathed in a rush of air.
“Don’t distract me. Breakfast?”
I sighed. “I don’t have time. You go eat while I finish getting ready.”
His eyebrows dipped together. “Olivia—”
“I don’t have time to argue about my eating habits, either,” I said, turning away from him. “I promise I’ll have a big lunch instead.”
He grunted but left me so I could get dressed. I sneaked a peek at his behind as he left the closet and vowed to get myself some businessman David very soon.
12
The simple act of being driven to work, something that millions of people participated in every day, felt like a gift. Still, though I’d loved spending guilt-free time with David, my anxiety returned as we neared my office.
I could anticipate some reactions, but not my co-workers’. They all knew David as one of Chicago’s top bachelors featured in our “Most Eligible” issue months before. And most of them also knew Bill—as my husband, of course. I sighed when I thought of all the explaining I’d have to do in the near future and decided to put it off for as long as possible.
“This weekend was crazy and hectic and a whirlwind,” I told David as he drove, “but in the best way possible.”
He reached over to rub my knee. “Don’t forget, we have a date tonight.”
I grinned. “Can’t wait.”
“Have lunch with me, too. Something big and greasy to make up for missing breakfast.”
I laughed. “I have a date tonight. Don’t want to look fat.”
“Fat?” he grumbled. “Is that supposed to be a joke?”
“Yep,” I said. “I know I’m skinnier than normal, David.”
“It’s not funny.”
“All right. Yes, handsome, I’ll have lunch with you.” I waited a moment before peeking over to see if he’d settled. “God, you are handsome, though.”
