No Regrets (A Stepbrother New Adult Novella)(14)
“Livie, I thought I heard a car! Oh, I’ve missed you! Come in, come in. Everyone is here. We waited for you to arrive before we served dinner.” Her mom practically sparkled with joy, and Olivia smiled back at her, genuinely happy for her.
“I missed you too, Mom.”
They rounded the corner and entered the dining room. Her heart pounded so loudly, she thought it impossible that no one else could hear it.
As they entered the room, she saw his back first. He was speaking to his father in hushed tones. It was obvious that the discussion involved business, since Parker was looking at a map spread out on the table. Both men stopped to watch them enter the room. Richard immediately brightened, but Liv didn’t catch Parker’s reaction because she was attempting to avoid his gaze again.
“Liv, how good to see you, dear! Do come in.” He gave her a side hug and then walked toward her mother to slide his arm through hers. “Your mother has been anxious all evening.” He studied at her, and Liv smiled back.
“I would have been here sooner, but I fell asleep at the other house. And then I had to get ready…” Liv knew she was rambling and felt herself blushing.
She finally looked up at Parker, and his dark eyes pierced hers. She could almost feel the heat in his stare, and she felt her heart stutter as he walked over to her. What was he doing? She could smell his aftershave the closer he came, and she was unable to move. She watched her mother and Richard as they moved toward the den. Before she could turn to follow them, Parker was there, blocking her path.
“Hello, Olivia.” He dragged out her name slightly, and she did her best to smile up at him. Pretend everything’s okay.
“Parker, it’s nice to see you again.” She was pleased when her voice sounded normal.
He reached out and brushed back a lock of hair that had fallen over her forehead. “The pleasure is mine, Olivia.”
Oh, no. I don’t think I can do this. Obviously, she’d lied to herself that her feelings for Parker were gone.
The next few seconds felt like hours.
“I…I better follow our parents, I think.” She swept past him and left him alone.
They tried to enjoy dinner. Both parents divulged more about their offspring than necessary. Despite the tension between them, Parker and Liv found common ground in being embarrassed by their respective parent. Parker laughed easily, and Liv found herself watching him joke with his father.
“So, Olivia, when will Drew arrive?” her mother asked her sweetly.
She noticed that Parker paid close attention to their conversation. “Tomorrow morning, actually. He’s leaving early so that he can be here by the ceremony at 1:00.” Don’t look at Parker—let him think Drew is my boyfriend.
“Well good, I’ve been wanting to meet your new friend.” Her mom smiled at her and squeezed her hand.
Silence filled the room, and soon the women excused themselves to clean up from dinner, since the serving staff were apparently relieved for the evening. Liv did everything possible to avoid looking Parker’s way. Even so, he still affected her somehow. As they cleaned, her mother watched her warily.
“So, anything you want to share with me, Liv?” Her mom wiped down the counter tops as she asked, while Olivia loaded the dishwasher.
She hesitated. “Not that I know of. I have a lot to do by May, and I love my internship. Otherwise, not that I can think of.”
“Olivia—I meant about a certain someone.” Her mom tilted her head toward the living room, where the men were in deep conversation about work.
“Mom, I have no idea what you mean.” She hurriedly loaded the dishes, doing her best to avoid the conversation and ignore the erratic beat of her heart. “So, are you crazy excited about tomorrow?”
“No, you don’t avoid my questions, young lady. Something is going on with you two, and I want to know what it is.”
“It’s nothing. He just makes me feel…well, mostly angry, but he…well, he drives me crazy.” In a huff, she threw the towel on the counter.
“I can see that.” Her mother crossed her arms. “I know you’re an adult, Livie, and you make your own decisions. That being said, I think getting involved with Parker is a bad idea. From what Richard told me, he’s quite popular with the ladies, and I worry he would only break your heart. Plus, he’s your stepbrother for crying out loud. And besides that, he’s about to become very involved with the company and he needs to keep his head about him in order to stay on top of things.”
Well, that was quite the speech. Guess she’s given a lot of thought to Parker and me not being together. Feeling a little stung at her mother’s vehemence, she said, “Don’t worry, Mom. I have no intention of letting anything happen between me and Parker Jackson.”
She neatly folded the napkins on the counter and gave her mother a serene smile, while inside, she felt like crying.
* * *
The next day, the sun was bright and shining as Olivia drove to the church where the ceremony would be held. Her mother called her over and over, making sure she had everything they needed. Liv felt the excitement in the small dressing room as she entered it. Her mother and her friends were discussing her pretty wedding dress.
“Well Mom, this is it!” Liv hugged her tightly, taking in the image of her mother in the classic dress. It was tasteful, with just enough lace and decorative detail to make it obvious that she was, indeed, the bride.