Whatever they had to face going forward, they’d do it together.
Chapter20
Plans And Schemes
Nash slipped into Olivia’s room after a soft knock on her door.She sat on the bed, the light from her laptop the only brightness in the room.
The glow made her appear like a beacon in the dark.And she was—his beacon.
Nash checked where Ella Mae slept soundly on her back, her stuffed dragon clutched in one arm.Yep, hearts were capable of expanding like Gray’s mother had said.
His had expanded not only for Olivia but also for her daughter.He wanted them to be one family.
Olivia smiled and patted the bed.He moved to sit beside her.After a light kiss, he saw she had up the social media pages, not her manuscript.“Anything new?”
She shook her head.“No.And nothing threatening or nasty.Which isn’t always the case on socials.”
Nash didn’t have social media, but he’d heard far too many horror stories of how people acted behind the anonymity of internet postings.He hoped that because Olivia was an author who wrote books for young adults and kids, that she saw less of that than most.
She shrugged.“I think my publisher has someone who monitors the social channels.They probably eliminate the nasty stuff before I have a chance to see it.Tomorrow, I’ll call them and fill them in.I’ll get them to take down the photos of you, Charlie, and Ella.They can also watch for anything that seems to point to Adam.”
When she shuddered, Nash slid his arm around her and kissed her hair.“I’m sorry this is happening.”
She smiled at him.“I’m not sorry about most of it.I just wish Adam wasn’t such a jerk.”
Nash swallowed the laugh.In deference to Ella, they were keeping their voices soft.He didn’t want to wake her.“I’m happy about most of it, too.So is Charlie.”
She swiveled so she faced him directly.“You talked to him?About us?”
He nodded.“I did.He was all smug and said he knew we liked each other.”
Olivia smiled.“He’s okay with it?”
Nash remembered the absolute joy that had sparkled out of his son.“He’s more than okay with it.He’s thrilled.He loves you and Ella, and wants us to be a family.”
Tears immediately filled Olivia’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks.She rolled her lips together before her smile widened.She threw herself into his arms and squeezed.“I’m so happy.”
Nash squeezed her back.“Me too.He also suggested with all the slyness of a ten-year-old that maybe Ella could sleep in his room, and we could share a room.”
His face heated at the memory.He’d had the sex talk with his son more than once.Kids learned early about sex from TV, movies, and the internet.Charlie had been full of questions, and Nash was proud of how they’d handled everything.
Tonight’s conversation had been the weirdest, with his kid pushing for Olivia and Nash to share a room, to act like a married couple.Hell, he’d even asked when Nash was going to propose.
Which meant Nash was now including his son in the planning of a proposal.Charlie had approved of the rings Nash had bookmarked online.Together, they’d selected the one they thought Olivia would like best.They’d even ordered it.
Olivia smothered her laughter by pressing into him, so the noise didn’t disturb Ella.“That’s so funny.And awkward.I’m going to blush like crazy when I see him in the morning.”
“Me too.”Nash’s response sent Olivia into more giggles.
He captured her joy with his lips.
Their bodies reacted predictably, but Nash kept himself firmly under control.
At least until Olivia whispered in his ear.“Make love to me, Nash.”
He leaned back to look at her.“You’re not too sore?”They’d made love multiple times earlier, and he didn’t want to hurt her.
She shook her head.“But we’ll need to be quiet.”
