Over the Edge (Bridge #3)(56)

“I’m not asking you to agree with my choices, but you’re my family, Cam. You can’t get rid of me. Even if you wanted me to, I’m not going anywhere. So just stop this. Give up the fight because you’re going to drive a wedge between us that doesn’t belong there. I made that mistake once. I’ll always regret coming between you and Maya. I should have had more faith in both of you. I mean, look at you now. It breaks my heart to imagine what your life would be like without Maya in it.”

I spoke quickly, my heart racing with growing anxiety that Cameron and I might never see eye to eye.

He pressed at the frown forming between his brows. “Goddamnit, Liv. You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?”

A small smile lifted my lips. “But you love me.”

He shook his head. “Can’t quite help it, can I?”

“Come on. Lighten up. You’re about to be a daddy. Nothing’s worth ruining these precious moments. Not even my totally strange love life.”

He exhaled with a groan. “Fine. Whatever. Just don’t expect me to smile about it.”

I smiled broadly at his small attempt at acceptance and the heavy weight that had been lifted from me with it.

He stood, the tension on his body only marginally eased. It might have deterred someone else, but I didn’t have his resolve. I went to him and threw my arms around him. After a second, he returned the embrace with a sigh. Relief flooded me, washing in over the unconditional love I felt for my big brother.

“Thank you,” I said in a whisper.

He rested his chin atop my head. “Just be careful. Please, Liv.”

I nodded, and we separated. He mussed my hair, and a ghost of a smile passed over his lips.

I pushed him away with a laugh. “Stop.”

“Get out of here. We’ve got things under control.”

“Are you saying you don’t need me?” My tone was teasing, but a little part of me regretted that without an enormous design project in front of me, my usefulness had expired.

“You worked hard on this. You deserve a break. When’s the last time you took a vacation?”

“You’ve worked hard too. And nice try getting rid of me, but I’m not leaving the city until my nephew arrives.”

He widened his eyes a fraction and nodded. “Any day now. Maya’s ready. I’m not sure what ready feels like, but she assures me I’m ready too.”

I touched his forearm. “You’re ready. You’re going to be great.”

He sucked in a deep breath that seemed to be filled with uncertainty. “I hope you’re right.”

“I am right. In this, as with most things.”

He rolled his eyes and ushered me to the door. “Out you go.”

I laughed and gave him a wave as I exited the office and made my way to the front of the gym. As I approached the entrance, a familiar figure caught my eye. My heart sped up.

Will stood, dressed in a three-piece suit, head-to-toe delicious man. He turned his cobalt gaze on me. I nearly melted. The man could rock jeans and a T-shirt, but the sight of him in a suit had my toes curling.

“Olivia.” My name left his lips like something sacred.

“Will Donovan. I’m not going to lie. This corporate look is starting to grow on me.”

He shot me a wicked smile. “Glad to know there’s at least one perk to this gig.”

I glanced around briefly and then back to Will. “What are you doing walking into the lion’s den?”

“I own the building. Did you forget?”

Will’s suggestive gaze slid over me, reminding me how much I’d missed him. God, the way I felt about him bordered on addictive. I reminded myself that climbing him anywhere near where Cameron might see us was a terrible idea.

“I was more worried about another awkward run-in with my brothers.”

“You’re worth the risk.” He stroked his thumb along my jawline. “And I’m done pretending like I’m not completely obsessed with you. On that note, Ian and I were hoping to see you. Tonight, if possible.”

His offer was beyond tempting. I’d missed them both, but I knew we probably needed to talk, too. If we were going to keep on like this, we had to figure out what that really meant for the long-term.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Dinner. There’s a place I’ve been wanting to take you. Then a couple surprises.” He held a white bag.

“What’s in the bag?”

He lifted it and rested the cloth handle in my hand. “We picked some things out for tonight. We’ll pick you up at eight.”

“I can meet you—”

“No, none of that. Tonight we’re doing things right. No hiding. No secrets. No regret. Just the three of us.”

I bit my lip and nodded. He reached out, freeing my lip from the grip of my teeth. A second later, his mouth was on me, luring me away from my worry and into the heaven I found when we were together.

“Missed your taste,” he murmured.

I leaned in for more, but he eluded me.

“Tonight,” he said.

Without another word, he left me alone with my longing and an unspoken promise that tonight would be one to remember.





Chapter Fifteen