“Oh, Liv, be careful.”
“Okay, Will. I’ll be careful,” she promised in a low, throaty voice, even as she let her lips drop open invitingly.
I took that invitation.
I took it, and it changed my life. Everything I’d ever noticed about Olivia Milani solidified the moment I kissed her. Her lips, her scent, and her warm, wet mouth were the sweetest things I’d ever known. In a life of hard work and discipline, sweet was a foreign concept. The other girls I’d kissed—even the other girls I’d slept with—were nothing in comparison.
We broke apart before we could get carried away. Although the tension was thick, we somehow managed to keep it in check and returned to talking. The hours passed. Dawn started to creep in as we got lost in plans and dreams of what we would become and where we would go.
Like Egypt. We planned to go that Christmas, knowing all along it was bullshit but loving the idea anyway.
When the birds began chirping, Liv yawned and said she was going to sleep. Another wide-eyed look from her nearly toppled my resolve, but self-control won out. When she’d shut the door and silence fell, I took the photo of the Sprite can in honor of that night.
I darkened my phone and shook myself out of the memories. Abruptly, I shut off the shower and hurried back to bed. Liv hummed in her sleep as I pulled her close and buried my nose in her hair.
I never guessed what we started that night would have to wait eight years, but hell yes you are my dream girl, Liv Milani. And I will do anything to protect your heart and watch you shine brighter than ever.
I took photos all weekend for the first time in forever. Wine, redwood trees, the Pacific Ocean, and us. So much us.
My feet touched the ground about half the time. The other half, I was either floating or flat on my back.
28
Liv
“Well, she’s a cute little thing. You’ve met her, right, Liv?”
I grinned at Mom a week later as Tom and Erin walked Maddie up the front lawn of my parents’ house. We stood on the porch, waiting for their arrival. This was the first time Tom had brought a woman to meet the family since Jenna passed. My stomach fluttered with excitement for him.
“Oh, yeah. She’s great. You’ll love her.”
Mom hummed. “If she cares for Tom, then that’s all that matters.”
Will’s Audi pulled into the driveway, and my stomach fluttered all over again. I ogled his gray hoodie and jeans, smiling to realize I’d done the same thing last night when he was dressed in nothing but a towel.
Suddenly, I wanted to run over, kiss his cheek, and let everyone aww over us, too. If all Mom and Dad want is for their children to be cared for, why are we hiding?
Hang on, princess. This is Tom’s moment. You can wait a little longer.
I glanced at Tom. The flutters took on a different kind of tone. I’d been avoiding him a little since returning from California because I was just so damn happy. For some reason, doubt still nagged at my conscience. Tom had doted on me forever. No matter what, he’d supported and protected me, but that also meant he knew me a little too well. If he decided I was too flighty or too opinionated or too whatever to date his oldest friend, it would break my heart.
We’ll tell them soon. It had become a mantra, but it worked.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Milani.” Erin shyly shook my parents’ hands.
“It’s Claire and Anthony, dear. Come on inside!”
Mom’s warm demeanor had Erin’s shoulders easing quickly. She and I followed Mom into the kitchen to chat. By the time I set the table, she was part of the Milani clan.
Family updates commenced at the end of the prayer. My father spooned mashed potatoes onto Maddie’s plate and said, “Liv, tell us about work.”
I still marveled at this new respect for my stories. I kept it brief, though, because the cute couple deserved the spotlight that day. Not even Will’s upcoming week in Chicago got much airtime. Through most of the meal, questions for Erin and how the two met filled the talk.
Meanwhile, Will and I played a game under the table. Every time he spoke, I rubbed my foot against his calf. My challenge was holding a poker face as he repeated himself more than once in the conversation. This would’ve been great fun if he hadn’t done the same damn thing to me every time it was my turn to share.
Will changed the game as the meal wound down. He faced me, his tone bored even as he pressed his knee against mine. “I saw in the news that your friend Jesse Storms had a bit of a day yesterday. Wondered if you’d heard about it.”
“What?” It was impressive how snippy my tone to him could still be.
“Oh, I heard that too,” Mom said, and Erin hummed. “He was left at the altar.”
Our little flirtation game was making it hard to concentrate. I looked around, my brows pinched. “What are y’all talking about? Jesse Storms was getting married?”
“Weren’t you invited?” Will sneered, clearly enjoying my confusion.
“Yeah, I wondered if you and Nick went, but I figured you’d have mentioned it if you were there,” Tom said with an evil grin.
“You’re still seeing that Nick?” Mom asked at the same time Will said, “Nick?”
I took a deep breath and threw up both hands. “What are you people talking about? I’m over here eating meatloaf, and suddenly I’m supposed to know all the celebrity news? Did Jesse Storms get married or not?”
Will rolled his eyes, but I saw his lips twitch. “As you were in his inner circle, I figured you’d know. An hour before the ceremony, his bride ran from the church. It was all over the news. Storms gave a statement this morning—scripted, but a good show. His album sales are sure to soar.”
For celeb drama, that was pretty interesting, but I shrugged. “News to me. Maybe I’ll give old Jess a call, see if he’s looking for a rebound.”
I lifted a brow at Will while Mom clucked at me.
Jesus, Sunday dinners were almost too much for my sanity. I pushed back from the table and went to cut the pie. Once everyone had a piece, I retreated to the kitchen to give myself a minute. Will appeared, and I tried to glare.
“What was that?” I hissed.
He smirked. “Just keeping you on your toes.”
“You’ll pay for that one, Langer.”
“What, are you going to call up Jesse and make me jealous? Or maybe Nick?”
I rolled my eyes. “Right. As if I give a damn about seeing anyone but you.”
His cheeks flushed. “In that case, I’m sorry I have to wait until I’m back in town to learn what my punishment will be.”
“Then you better hurry home.”
“As soon as I can,” he whispered into my ear.
I forgot about the whole Jesse Storms thing pretty fast. I’d never actually met him, and I didn’t follow tabloids much. It was quite a dramatic story, especially since it all unfolded here in Nashville. But between my kids’ Monday anxieties, my intricate plans for just how I would make Will suffer, and the text he sent saying that his trip might extend through next week, there was just no time.
The following Saturday, I’d gotten home from yoga and brunch when I got a call from an unfamiliar number. Please don’t be a parent. Some moms didn’t seem to realize that calling the teacher was for emergencies only. I plopped down on the porch step and answered.
“Liv? This is Celeste Greene.”
“Celeste? How did you get my number?”
Her sigh made it clear she was already annoyed to talk to me, and I rolled my eyes. “Ben, of course.”
“Oh, right. Well, what’s up?”
Another sigh. Damn, someone get her a fainting couch. “I’m on invite duty for a party tonight.”
“You and Ben’s?”
“No, it’s Nick’s. He has news, and he wants his closest friends to come out tonight to hear it. I was asked to call you. I guess whatever you said to him last time made him forgive you.”
“Yeah, it’s a cool little trick I learned called ‘an apo
logy.’ Works like a charm.”
Celeste grunted.
What a wonderful chat. “So, party. When and where?”
“The dueling pianos bar downtown. Eight pm. You’re in?”
“Definitely.”
“Fine.”
“You know, Celeste,” I said before I could consider it, “I’m not the beast you think I am. Since you’re a permanent part of my circle, it would be nice if we could be a little friendlier.”
She was silent for a long moment. “How about lunch in an hour?”
Well, damn.
We met at a café near their apartment. I’m pretty sure we looked like two lionesses circling each other before we sat down. Only after we ordered did I break the silent stare-off. “I didn’t expect an invitation to lunch.”
She shrugged. “I thought we could talk.”
I tilted my head as I looked at her. As usual, her shoulders were squared and her chin was lifted. Her posture practically dared me to say something to piss her off.
I took the dare. “I bet you and I would get along fine if you’d get off your high horse and give me a chance.”
Emerald eyes flashed. “My high horse?”
“Mm-hmm. You’re always throwing shade at me, but you don’t know me at all. You and I have plenty in common, Celeste. And I don’t mean Benjamin.”
“Really, Liv? Because when I look at you, I see a smart-mouthed girl who doesn’t know when to shut up. “
“And I see a stuck-up pseudo Yankee who doesn’t know how to laugh enough.”
We glared at each other until I continued. “You’re not wrong about me, but that’s not all I am. And I have to assume, since Ben loves you so fiercely, that there’s more to you, too.”
Her auburn eyebrows arched, the lines on her forehead smoothing out. “That’s fair, but it’s hard for me to get past my first impression of you. You were so aggressive, and all I knew was you were Ben’s ex. And then that business with Nick and how you were so nasty to Mel…” she shrugged. “I feel I’m validated in my opinion.”
I smiled up at the waiter when he delivered her food and my coffee. It was a good moment to compose a response. “I remember meeting you, too. Gah, you were such a huffy chick.”
“You were in my face from the first moment!”
We both started to laugh. “Yeah, I really was. I’m sorry. And about Mel… I’m working on that. You’re right, though, about that part of me. It’s not my best feature.”
Her eyes narrowed. She nodded, clearly interested.
“As for Nick and Ben, my past with them isn’t your business. Ben and I ended a long time ago. Nick, well. Messing around wasn’t the best decision either of us ever made. But I’m friends with both of them. The rest is nothing to do with you.”
Celeste stirred her coffee. “You’re right. I guess we just never really got to know each other.”
“Yes, and that’s too bad because we could be friends. We’re both stubborn, and clearly we have similar taste in men.”
She laughed, so I winked.
“Better still, we care deeply about the people we love.”
Celeste smiled. “This’ll be a change, but I agree. Friends.”
If this was the craziest moment I’d lived through this year, it would’ve been a doozy. Compared to the rest of the madness lately, it just made me really, really glad. “Awesome. So, tell me Nick’s news.”
She gave me a cautionary frown. “It’s about Mel.”
I caught my breath. “Are they back together?”
Her frown continued, and I realized she didn’t know anything Nick and I had said to each other.
“Please tell me it’s good news. He looked so sad last time I saw him. I couldn’t take it. Is he happy?”
Her shoulders relaxed as she grinned. “He’s so happy.”
My text chimed before I could press for more. I squeaked when I glanced at the screen. “Sorry, hang on.”
Celeste’s gaze was curious when I finished replying. “Good news?”
I set my phone down. “Yes. I might have a date for the party after all. My… uh, my boyfriend is trying to get on a standby flight from Chicago. I didn’t think he was coming home until next week.”
She smiled again. “You’re glowing.”
I waved that away. “Nick. Tell me about Nick.”
Celeste wouldn’t give me the surprise, but we sat and talked for two full hours and didn’t glare at each other once.
God, life was good.
I spotted my friends in front of the bar that night, but Nick wasn’t there. Kira saw me first. She threw her arms around me and drew the attention of the rest. I gave my hellos and walked straight to where a luminous Mel stood beside Celeste.
Hands clasped behind my back in what I hoped was a contrite stance, I met her gaze. “Hi, I’m Liv.”
“I remember.” Her lips thinned.
“I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. There’s no excuse for how I spoke to you, but I’d love a take two if you’re willing.”
Her blue eyes held me, neither angry nor friendly. She stuck out her hand. “Sounds good. I’m Melody.”
I took it with a smile “Olivia. Call me Liv.”
“Mel, then.”
“Cool. Uh, it’s really good to see you again. Apparently, my warning that you and Nick would be history soon was total bullshit.”
She laughed, an airy sound that spoke of layers of happiness. “Well, kind of bullshit, kind of not.”
My shoulders dropped. Being a peacemaker wasn’t so bad.
Ben announced that we should go inside, so I flashed Mel a smile and followed the group. Celeste grabbed my jacket as we began to migrate.
“What’s up?” I asked. “And where the heck is Nick?”
“He’s inside already. Where’s your guy? I thought you had a date.”
I stuck out my lip. “Yeah, he couldn’t get a flight until late. Sucks.”
She gave me a sympathetic frown. Celeste gave me a sympathetic frown. How many more stunners can I get in one day?
One more at least. Inside the bar, Nick himself was screaming out “Hooked on a Feeling” and pounding the piano onstage. I gaped, but Celeste laughed and dragged me to a table.
“What the hell is this?” I screeched. “Was anyone going to tell me?”
A glance around said that everyone but Mel, Ben, and Celeste were just as stunned as me. Once the shock wore off, I couldn’t stop grinning. The exuberance with which Nick sang was so wonderfully different than how I’d last seen him. By the time the first round was in hand, our table was the loudest cheering section in the place.
I bent my head toward Celeste. “This is the surprise? He and Mel worked it out and now he’s singing here?”
She cut her eyes at me. “Not exactly. He does this for fun, but you’ve got to hear the story of how they got back together—and why they were apart. Liv, I’m telling you, you won’t believe it.”
“I hate you for the suspense,” I complained, but she just grinned and sipped her Jameson.
“It’s time to end another show,” Nick said an hour later. “I’ve got people here tonight, so let’s make it an extra happy ending. What do you think, Colin? What does the mystical jar of requests call for?”
His partner held up a strip of paper. “‘Son of a Preacher Man.’”
Nick howled with laughter. “This might be my favorite song of all time.”
Mel burst into giggles. She covered her mouth as a blush painted her cheeks.
“That better be you laughing,” Nick said into the mic.
I grinned to see Mel slump into her seat, her whole face hidden now.
“Okay, everybody get up and dance.” Nick began to sing while he and his partner picked up the tune on the piano. Ben and Celeste hurried to the growing crowd of couples in the center of the floor.
Beside me, David turned to Kira. “Should we dance?” he asked, carefully casual.
I smiled privately when she blushed and followed h
im. Mel and I were the only ones left in the booth, and she only had eyes for Nick. Her pink cheeks and rapt expression told me everything I needed to know, story or not.
Nick was done. This wasn’t a fling; Nick had met his match. Another huge change.
“Hey baby, how about a dance?”
The hair on my neck stood up when warm fingers dragged across my shoulder. I whipped around, and the instinct to punch someone’s balls morphed into delight.
“Will!” I scrambled to my feet and threw my arms around his neck.
His chest vibrated with a laugh as he pulled me close.
“I thought you weren’t—”
“I suspected you’d not checked your phone in a while. I got the six o’clock flight after all.”
“Sorry, I guess I missed it with all the noise.”
“Just come teach me a dance move before the song ends.”
We caught the last verse and mostly swayed, but it was enough to have my face aching from smiling. I took him back to the table and introduced him to the crew, noticing the intrigue on Ben’s face to see him again. Heat rushed my cheeks when he quirked a brow at me.
Yeah, yeah, Ben, I remember giving you hell when you introduced Celeste. This isn’t the same, buddy.
… Is it?
I shook the thought away as Nick walked up.
“Here are my favorite people in the world,” he said in greeting.
Everyone rushed to lift their glass to his performance while he slid into the booth and pressed a kiss to Mel’s lips.
“Don’t cheer for me. That’s what the tip jar is for. Save your exclamations for this story I’m about to tell because, y’all, I swear it’s all true.”
Half an hour later, the news about Jesse Storms had taken on a whole new depth. Mel was his bride, and she’d left him for Nick. She’d walked out of the church, gotten into a cab, and gone straight to Nick’s apartment. According to Mel, Jesse was fine, and all the drama had indeed been played up for publicity before he set off on an extended tour. According to Nick, he and Mel were living together.
Nick in love. The coup de grâce of holy shit moments.
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