It makes me love her even more.
Her lip quivers, rolling between her teeth and drooping into a frown. “Ollie? I can’t wait until we can do that for our kids. Is it weird I’m not even upset that I won’t finish the competition season? I’d rather be with you.”
“I’m going to build you the biggest damn library,” I groan.
She giggles, then presses my thigh to raise high enough to give me a soft kiss on the side of my chin. “Can we start with some cheese sticks? Now that you’ve mentioned them, I’m starving.”
“We’re almost to Hilltop. Want to stop, get lunch, and you can say ‘hi’ to your brother?” I have to pass it anyways on the way home.
“Oh, yes please. I haven’t seen him sincethat day.” Her eyes get brighter as I turn into the parking lot. “I wonder if they know Val’s due date yet? Oh my god, wouldn’t it be crazy if they were the same?”
I’m more concerned about how her brother will react when he actuallyseesSophia and I together.
It’s one thing to develop a working relationship where he’s always been reserved because of the rift Sophia had with me.
Let’s hope he’s as understanding as Mason.
Sophia tugs me in by my hand with a triumphant grin on her face.
“This is better than winning any silly ribbon at the rodeo,” she whispers, wrapping her palm around my elbow.
I’m the happiest man alive knowing she feels that way.
“Val!” Sophia squeals, letting go of me to run towards the maroon-topped bartender. “When are you due?” she asks as she crushes Val to her in a big hug.
“It’s fucking karma,” Val laughs, eying me over Sophia’s shoulder. “Halloween of all days.”
“November fourth. Can you wait for me? We should deliver together.” Sophia backs up, reaching for me as Sawyer steps from the swinging door of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.
“I don’t think it works that way, Soph,” he mutters.
His gaze is definitely sharper when he focuses on where her hand rests on me.
“Oliver, can we have a word?” he says roughly.
“Sawyer, be nice.” Sophia clings tighter to me.
“I will.” His blue eyes, so much like his sister’s, narrow at me.
Then he nods curtly towards the outside door.
“It’s fine, Soph.” I disengage from her snug hold and follow him.
Whatever it is, he needs to get it out so we can move on.
The bell above the frame marks our departure, the chime barely fading out of the cool spring air before Sawyer has whipped around.
“I know she can be sweet and sour, but she’s been cranky with you a hell of a lot longer than nice. Did you plan all this? It is some sort of long prank that you’re doing to try and get back at her for something?” He waves the white cloth between us before tucking the corner into the rear pocket of his jeans.
Then he crosses his arms over his chest, reminding me more of Dixon than Mason.
He might be quite a bit younger than me, but he looks like he could be scrappy as shit if he wanted to fight.
“No prank. She’s the one who reached out to me to start, long before I knew who she was.” I lift my palms in some sort of hope it keeps him calm.
“I have never seen her dislike someone as much as she did you.” His finger jabs out, dangerously close to landing on me. “I ain’t one to just standby and let someone close to me get hurt.”
“I love her, Sawyer.” My gaze doesn’t waver. “More than anything. I know it sounds crazy, but I’veknownher. Her dreams, her fears, and her secrets, long before I even knew it was her.”
