She reluctantly turns toward the window. “Gosh, you have all the fun around here,” she grumbles as she leaves.
I hung out with the Wilds numerous times when Jenson lived in Liberty Falls, but once he moved to Pittsburgh, he would see them out there or at one of their places. I haven’t seen any of them since the night Jenson’s sons were born. I also saw them at Jenson’s wedding, but they didn’t see me either time. At the wedding, I was hiding in the back pew of the church, hoping to hide the tears I knew would come when I heard Jenson officially become another woman’s husband. Another woman’s forever.
The night I drove to Pittsburgh to meet Jenson’s sons at the hospital, Colton was there too. All five Wilds were there, actually, but only Colton saw me.
After Jenson and I said good-bye to each other, I’d returned to the hospital nursery to take one last look at Kyle and Connor. The Wilds were at the other end of the hallway. They were leaving and had their backs to me, but Colton looked over his shoulder, and we caught eyes.
He waved his cousins on and walked back to me. His blond hair was so similar to Jenson’s, but where Jenson leans toward the serious side, Colton’s more of a jokester.
He wasn’t joking that day, though. He was solemn as we stood silently, side by side, staring through the glass at Jenson’s sons.
“I can’t imagine how you’re feeling, Olive,” Colton said, his attention still focused straight ahead. His hands were in his pockets, and his profile was etched with sympathy.
I couldn’t speak. My throat was too raw.
Colton turned to face me then. “This is a detour for you two. Don’t think of it as the final chapter.”
I managed a nod.
“Your story with Jenson isn’t over,” he said, his tone fierce and certain.
My thoughts of the past disappear, and I return to the present as Kyle and Connor rush me.
“Livia!” they scream in unison.
Kyle grabs onto one of my legs and Connor the other. Kyle’s got a smudge of dirt across one cheek, and Connor’s entire shirt is covered in grass stains.
I laugh. “You two look like you’ve been playing outside.”
“We played football with Uncle Dylan and Uncle Brayden. Daddy was the coach.”
I lock eyes with Jenson whose attention is focused on me. “That sounds fun.”
Dylan steps forward and manages to one-arm hug me, despite Kyle and Connor not letting go of my legs. “God, it’s been ages, Olivia,” he says, his smile as warm and genuine as I remember. “You’re all grown up.”
Brayden kisses my cheek. “It’s great to see you again,” he says, his blue eyes bright.
“It’s so good to see you both,” I say. I didn’t realize just how much I’ve missed seeing them all until just now. “You both look as handsome as ever. Dylan, I’ve seen you on television a bunch—congratulations on winning the championship. And the MVP, of course.”
Dylan flushes, clearly not wanting any extra attention. “Thank you. It was an amazing season.”
“You should be really proud of yourself,” I say.
Jenson, who’s been holding back, steps closer. “Boys, give Olive a little room, okay?” He takes each of his sons by a shoulder and gently urges them to unpeel themselves from my thighs.
Once that’s accomplished, he leans in close so he can speak only to me. “My mom told me about the last-minute speech your dad’s giving tonight.”
“Yes. Will you be joining us on stage?”
“Of course. Save me a seat,” he says with a wink.
As I nod, I can’t help the blush that I know stains my cheeks. Not wanting to see if Dylan or Brayden have noticed, I keep my gaze trained on Jenson’s.
His green eyes study me. “I like your suit.”
I smile. I’m in my favorite business suit, the one I bought with my Christmas bonus. It may be conservative blue in color, but it flatters my figure, and the pink top I’m wearing underneath the fitted blazer brightens the whole ensemble.
“Thank you.”
