She nods, but a shiver runs through her, and she folds her arms around herself. Without thinking, I move to her side on the small sofa and slip my arm around her shoulders, drawing her against me. The warmth of her body, the scent of her hair, the simple rightness of it—it’s all I’ve wanted all night.
But she tenses, hands pressing lightly against my chest to stop me from pulling her closer. “Sam, the kids.”
I ease back, trying not to let the sting show. I get it. This is a whole new side to Olivia that I’ve never seen before. She’s a mama bear first, always will be. Protective. Guarded.
Still, something in the way she looks at me indicates this isn’t just about the kids. It’s about her. Her fear of what this could turn into. The walls she keeps between us aren’t only for them.
And even knowing that, I can’t stop wanting to find a way through.
“They’re inside. It’s fine.” I try to keep my tone casual, even as the push of her hesitation bites.
“Sam, we can’t.” Her voice is quiet but firm. “I haven’t said anything to either of them about you, and I’m sure they have questions.”
“Yeah, probably. But they seem okay with us. They’re good kids, open, smart. If they had questions, I think they’d have asked.”
She exhales softly, the sound more weary than irritated, and slips from my hold. Wrapping her arms around herself, she stares into the fire. The flames throw her in silhouette. Strong and beautiful, yet closed off.
“Maybe,” she says finally, her voice flat, distant. “But I owe it to them to say something before anything happens here.” A beat passes before she adds, even quieter, “I think you should go.”
“Okay.” The word comes out rougher than I mean it to.
I stand abruptly, grabbing the marshmallows just to have something to do with my hands, something that isn’t reaching for her again.
Without waiting for her to respond, I cross the yard toward the house. Disappointment rides shotgun with every step, settling heavy in my chest. I’ll respect her boundaries; she’s a mother, and knows what’s best for her kids. I’m not here to make her life harder. Still, it doesn’t stop the burn.
Pausing at the open patio door, I turn to face her. She’s still staring into the flames, lost somewhere I can’t reach. I don’t want to leave things like this, with distance and silence between us. I’m here for nearly a week, but right now, I don’t even know if she’ll want to see me again before I have to return home.
Unable to leave things like this and in a last-ditch effort to see her again, I clear my throat, forcing a casual tone that doesn’t quite land.
“Hey, uh, I’m judging a food competition this weekend. Metro Convention Center. It’s a televised fundraiser.” I give a small shrug she can’t see. “If you and the kids want to come, I can get tickets.”
“Hells yeah.” Paige stands in the doorway, her long brown curls in a riotous topknot.
Her friend Marci stands beside her, wearing a goofy grin and looking at me like I hung the moon.
Chuckling, I nod. “Okay, then, I’ll leave the tickets with your mom.”
“Thanks, Sam.” Paige beams, swinging one arm loosely around my shoulder in a hug. “Mom, is it okay if I sleep at Marci’s tonight? Her dad will come get us in about an hour.”
“Sure, sweetie.”
The two girls disappear into the house, gabbing and giggling, their voices fading. Behind me, Olivia’s quiet laugh drifts through the night.
“Thank you.” Warmth laces her tone.
I glance over my shoulder and find her coming up the steps, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
“It was nothing.” I gaze into the dark depths of her eyes. “Are you coming too?”
At her nod, I release my pent-up breath and respond with a small smile of my own.
Leading the way inside, I place the food on the counter and twirl back to face her. Impulse wins over caution and I pull her into my arms. I want her close, even if for seconds, and I’m willing to risk it for one more quick embrace.
The way she says my name stops me cold, soft, though laced with warning. A frown pulls at her mouth, and just like that, the air shifts. She steps back, out of reach, the distance between us sudden and sharp. It hits harder than I expect. I made it worse.
Frustration grinds through me, but I bite it down, giving a tight nod as I fish my buzzing phone from my pocket.Alec.
Whatever awkwardness hung between Olivia and me disappears in an instant.
