Nope. I was not gonna let myself hope. “Because you need one final big PR event for your resume?”
“Because it’s time someone showed up for you and gaveyouthe grand gesture.” Olivia reached out and rested a soft hand against my cheek, her thumb sweeping against the stubble I’d rebelliously allowed. “And because I love you, Lachlan Hayes.”
As far as events went, this one between us was a big one. Seven simple words, yet they could unlock so many levels. My pulse doubled in pace, and I struggled to think of an adequate response.
“Hayes!” Ken, the producer called mere feet away. “Picture time, dude.”
“I need to go,” I told Olivia. “Surely you don’t want me to miss a photo opp.”
But Olivia didn’t budge. Instead she removed all space between us and clasped my forearms. “I said I love you.”
“I…I heard you.”
“Lachlan, I’ve been determined to follow my life plan, but none of it matters if you’re not part of it. I thought my last relationship was doomed because I’d strayed from the timeline, but it failed because I was with the wrong person.” She squeezed my arms. “You’re my person.”
To our left the cast and grew gathered in front of an intricateMars Warsbackdrop. That was where I needed to be, but I couldn’t seem to make my feet move. “Olivia, it’s probably natural that we felt some connection. We lived together and pretended to be in love.”
“Can you tell me what you felt for me in the last few weeks wasn’t real?”
I wouldn’t lie to her. “No.”
“Do you love me Lachlan?” When I didn’t respond Olivia held up her left hand, the lights around us glinting across the facets of her diamond. “I’d also like you to tell me if anyone can buy these rings?”
I blinked against more flashes of light. “What are you talking about?”
“Is my ring a mass-market product from the movie merchandising?” Olivia asked.
This felt like dangerous territory, a black hole of conversational topics. “Pretty sure there’s no merch like that.”
She swept the windblown hair from her eyes, her gaze steadfast on mine. “You had this ring made, didn’t you?”
“I’m not sure it matters.” Everything. It actually meant everything.
“Tell me what it means,” she demanded because my wife was bossy like that.
“I really have to go,” I said. “We’ll talk about this when the after-party’s over.” I took three steps away from Olivia when I heard her call above the noise.
“I know you love me, Lachlan Hayes!” I turned to see her hold up her hand again. “I sat in your big ugly chair and playedMars Wars. This is the Ring of Hope, sitting right next to my wedding band, and I’m pretty sure it’s a promise of fierce courage and—”
“And abiding love,” I finished, walking back toward her. Maybe I was a glutton for further punishment, but I never quit on a level when it got good. I stood before Olivia, feeling the stiches of old wounds itch. Faded wishes whispered prayers I hadn’t uttered in years. I’d been denied love so many times, but this sure resembled the real thing. “So,” I said, afraid if I blinked Olivia would disappear, “you playedMars Wars.”
She smiled. “Till four in the morning.”
“My high score is two million and seven.”
“Mine is two hundred and seven,” she said just as arrogantly.
I was out of my mind crazy about this woman. “Then you didn’t get far enough to know that after the Big Bad is defeated, there’s a hidden bonus scene. Once the princess is freed, she has to rescue Captain Triton from a dragon.”
Olivia’s hand slipped into mine. “I’ll slay dragons for you, Lachlan Hayes.”
If she didn’t stop talking, I would bawl right in front of the Who’s Who of Hollywood. “People think Captain Triton saves Serafina,” I said roughly, “but what they don’t realize is she saves him—from darkness, from himself. You think you can save me, Olivia?”
“I’m really trying.” Her gaze went warm on mine as she captured my other hand. “You told me at the airport this ring was just a piece of jewelry, but it’s not, is it?”
“It was for my wife.”
“I’m your wife.”
