Olivia lay in the dark quiet of Leo’s bedroom.
After what happened in the kitchen, they had taken separate showers in separate bathrooms. Leo had told her he just needed a minute. Olivia knew exactly why. She had felt how hard he was against her leg when he stood up. She knew he needed to take care of himself since he had vehemently insisted that the night was exclusively about her.
Part of her had wanted to be with him in the shower for that, too. She wanted to touch him. But she understood why he was holding back. He was not rejecting her. He was protectingthe careful pace they had agreed upon, even when she knew it was costing him a massive amount of physical control.
That restraint made her care for him even more deeply.
She had sneaked into his room after her shower, wearing one of his oversized t-shirts. When she pulled back the heavy duvet, Leo had opened his arms. No questions. No expectations. Just a warm, secure space carved out for her.
She climbed into bed, tucking herself into his solid chest. They had been lying in the same position for minutes now, his large hand gently, rhythmically caressing her skin in the deep darkness of the room.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Leo asked softly, his voice a low rumble against her back.
"Yes," Olivia admitted, her fingers tangling with his. "I'm so scared the signature issue is going to ruin everything. I'm scared James will find another legal loophole. I'm scared we'll get in front of the judge and discover that the truth isn't enough."
Leo pulled her closer, his arm tightening securely around her waist. "It is going to work out, Liv."
"How can you sound so sure?"
"Trust me," Leo whispered, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. "Everything is going to be okay."
Olivia desperately wanted to believe him.
Curled against him in the dark, held tightly in the safest place she had ever known, she wanted to believe him more than she had wanted to believe anything in a very long time.
Chapter 27
Leo
Leo stood by the oak doors of the courthouse, having stayed behind to make a quick phone call. He drew in a deep breath, slipped his phone into his pocket, and walked toward the security checkpoint where Olivia and her attorney, Mr. Davis, were waiting.
Olivia looked stunning, dressed in a sharp, tailored navy suit, but Leo could see the rigid tension radiating through her body. Her hands were clenched tightly around the strap of her leather bag. Today was the culmination of months of agonizing preparation. Today could finally determine whether she secured the divorce, protected her bakery, and obtained legal, undeniable acknowledgment of the financial fraud James had committed.
"You okay?" Leo asked softly as he reached her side.
Olivia offered a tight, brave smile. "Just want it to be over."
Mr. Davis checked his watch. "We have twenty minutes before we are called in. Let's grab something to settle your nerves, Olivia."
They walked to the small, bustling coffee stand tucked into the corner of the courthouse lobby.
As they approached the counter, Leo saw him.
James stood near the cream and sugar station with his own high-priced attorney. He was wearing a flawless, custom-tailored gray suit, looking every bit the confident, aggrieved executive.
When James spotted Olivia, an ugly, smug smile touched his lips. He took a step forward, looking as though he wanted to say something cutting, but his attorney shot out a hand, gripping James’s arm and quietly warning him to stay silent.
James’s eyes flicked to Leo. The smugness vanished, replaced by a cold, venomous glare.
Leo ignored him. He stepped up to the counter and ordered Olivia’s black coffee and a bottle of water for himself.
As the barista handed over the cups, Leo caught the eye of the young man wiping down the espresso machine. Leo gave a single, almost imperceptible nod. The young man, wearing a nametag that did not belong to him, returned the subtle gesture, wiping the counter nearest to where James was preparing his own drink.
Leo turned away, fighting to suppress a smile.
It was done.
He handed Olivia her coffee, and they walked toward the heavy wooden doors of the hearing room.
