A Winter Wedding(61)

“I’m sorry if I hurt you,” she said.

He rubbed his face. “That’s something you definitely don’t need to apologize for, Olivia. We all know that the whole thing was my fault.”

“I didn’t fall in love with Brandon to get back at you. I’d like you to know that.”

“I understand. He’s irresistible.”

“Really? Sarcasm? That’s how you’re going to respond?”

He cleared his throat. “Sorry. Look, like I told him last week, I’m glad you’re both happy. That’s God’s honest truth.”

“Yes, that’s why we’ve been able to have such a good relationship with you. Not many people would be capable of putting what happened behind them, no matter whose fault it was. And trust me, I have no illusions that Noelle wasn’t as much or more to blame than you were.” When she gave him the small, rueful smile that followed those words, he realized it was the first time since she’d arrived that he’d felt that little hitch in his chest—the one he normally experienced on first sight. “I want to make sure the relationship we’ve built—as a family this time—isn’t getting destroyed.”

Brandon had said the same thing, so they’d clearly discussed it. “Every relationship goes through transitions. We’ll be fine.”

“I hope you’re right.” Her smile grew more relaxed. “So you’re with Lourdes Bennett now, huh? A country music star? Ted said the two of you were in his hot tub last night.”

“We’re having some fun together. It isn’t serious, though.” That was what he and Lourdes had decided to tell everyone. Kyle was happy to do that—and yet there were moments when it didn’t feel totally fake. Moments when he was beginning to feel certain things he’d only ever felt for Olivia.

Lourdes didn’t know that, of course. He’d be a fool to take any of it seriously. He knew he wouldn’t end up with her; they had no chance.

“I see.”

He got the impression that Olivia had hoped he’d be more forthcoming on that subject. He wasn’t going to add any more, but he had a question he’d always wanted to ask her. Had it really been as easy as it seemed for her to get over him? If so, she couldn’t have loved him very deeply. Her ability to bounce back so quickly had left one of those scars she’d mentioned. It was by far the worst he’d ever sustained.

“I knew you’d end up with someone special,” she said.

Biting back The Question, he got to his feet. “Thanks. I’m glad you stopped by.”

She got up, too, then hesitated. “I have something else to say.”

It concerned him that she suddenly wouldn’t meet his eyes. “And that is...”

“Noelle came over today.”

“Don’t you see her quite often?”

“I do, but...I guess you haven’t heard.”

“Heard what?”

“She was fired from Sexy Sadie’s last night.”

He moved around his desk. “What happened?”

She slid her purse strap higher on her shoulder. “She got into a fight with another server.”

Somehow, this didn’t surprise him. “Is the other girl okay?”

“Yeah. Noelle is, too. You’re the one I’m worried about.”

Kyle’s discomfort grew. “Why would you say that?”

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but...she seems to blame you.”

Stunned, he stood taller. “How could I have anything to do with her losing her job?”

“She claims you set her up. That you made certain...promises, led her to believe you two were getting back together. And now you’re with someone else. She told me she’s tired of being cast aside whenever you decide you don’t need her.”

“That’s crazy!”

“I know. But I felt I should warn you. The things she’s saying are...harsh and... I wouldn’t put it past her to...to try to punish you.”

He wouldn’t put it past her, either. She’d already gone to the Gold Country Gazette with news of Lourdes’s presence in town, thinking that would land a blow.

Apparently, she didn’t like the way her plan had backfired. “How?”

“I couldn’t even venture a guess. When she was talking to me I just got a funny feeling that she was far angrier than she had any right to be. She was almost delusional in the way she ranted on and on about you. As if you had been sleeping with her and making promises of reconciliation. She seemed completely convinced you’ve been using her.”

Kyle didn’t have words for what went through his mind. All he could get out was “I’ve never led her to believe I have any interest!”

“She builds up every little thing you do in her mind, tells herself you must care about her if you’re willing to pay so she won’t lose the use of her car or whatever. And I’ve known for a long time that she wishes she’d never lost you. She won’t face the fact that it’s truly over and prefers to think there’s nothing standing in the way of getting you back.”

“Only now there is something—or rather someone—in the way.”

“Yes. Lourdes.”

Kyle narrowed his eyes. “She’d never do anything to hurt Lourdes...” He’d told Lourdes she wouldn’t, but the things Olivia was saying about her sister... He wasn’t sure anymore.