“Silly me, I thought we were a team.”
“I never felt worthy. I thought one stuff-up and you’d turn to Hunter. Guess I was right.”
Was he? Had I used one mistake as a reason to walk away all because I needed an excuse?
Olivia: How do you know?
Hunter: Loving you is like breathing. I don’t know how not to.
I love the fact he doesn’t need me to clarify my question. His text is everything I want.
“Was that him?” Mitch doesn’t ask to see my phone; it’s enough to see my reaction.
“Yes.”
“Can’t you just give me one day?” If I hadn’t known Mitch for as long as I did, I could have sworn the man was emotionally ready for tears. “I’m not mad, and I don’t want to be a jealous prick about it, but I’m asking for one day. Until even midday tomorrow to prove how much I want us to work.”
‘Midday?”
“Or we could just count how many texts the two of you have shared since breakfast today, and extend my twenty-four hours by one hour for each text.”
“How about you text the girls and tell them we’ll meet up for lunch.” Giving in is easier than counting the texts, and Mitch was right. I had promised him one day.
Watching Her
Hunter
The texts stop aroundthe same time her smile becomes natural and genuine. I’m not a stalking bastard, but when the girls and I almost walk into the happy couple on the coastal trail, I can’t bring myself to turn around and give them privacy. Not when I can watch from a distance.
Their body language doesn’t scream hate, but at least there’s a physical separation between them. Hands joined, but a small child could fit between their hips. An image of Olivia and me swinging our own toddler onto my boat flashes through my mind, and I moan with regret. What the fuck was I thinking, pushing her towards another guy all those years ago? I should have been man enough to give her another option—me.
“You okay?” Tash asks, finding another reason to touch my arm. I flinch away.
“Jess, can you give Tash and me a minute?”
“Want me to keep tabs on the happy couple?” Jess knows about last night but hasn’t given me a sign whether she’s switched allegiances from Mitch to me or from me to Mitch. Maybe she really is on Team Olivia.
“Thanks. I don’t need a running commentary, just to know that …” Hell, I want to know if he tries to push Olivia into more than she’s ready for, whether the last week has become a distant memory, or whether she’s looking around for me.
“I got it.” Jess pulls me in for a friendly hug before whispering, “Be gentle with Tash. It hasn’t been that long.”
I get it. Of all the heartbreaks, Tash could probably win the competition for the worst. Jess leaves, and I’m the first to sit on the bench with billion-dollar views. Offering Tash a bottle of water, I notice she looks about as uncomfortable as I felt at breakfast.
“You’re never going to be interested in me, are you?” Her voice is almost drowned out by the distant waves.
“Tash, what happened to you was fucked up.”
“They are happy. I’m even going to be bridesmaid for them next month.”
I underestimated her strength and kindness. Then again, I agreed to be best man for Olivia. “I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.”
“Then, how about, I’m sorry that happened to you. You deserve better.”
“Don’t we all? Did he ever talk to you about it?”
“Nathan? Nope. I knew the two of you were full steam to get married, but then when …”
