“And your dad?”
I sighed, already fatigued by the explanation. “Long story.”
She leaned her chin into her palm. “Pretend I have the time to hear it.”
This was odd—this temporary truce of ours. “Short version is my bio-dad was a jerk, I have two older half-brothers who are equally awful, and they live miserably ever after in Houston and New York.”
“Did you see them much?”
I thought of my last few years of college and felt that familiar resentment. “No.” I was done with this topic. It was old and worn-out, and it ushered in memories I didn’t feel like revisiting. “You, on the other hand, have a great family. Intrusive and possibly diabolical if crossed, but clearly they adore you.”
Olivia smiled, a sight I found myself unexpectedly liking. “They drive me nuts,” she said, “but they definitely love me.”
“What about your parents?” I’d yet to meet them. I’d expected some gray-headed father to come after me with a shotgun and demand to hear my intentions.
“They now work for Doctors Without Borders. So does my brother Colin. But growing up, my dad had a medical practice here in Sugar Creek, and our family life was very normal. Minus a grandmother in the CIA.”
I’d spent most of my life being jealous of normal. I swore I’d grow up to have the white picket fence dream—playing fetch with a dog in the backyard, throwing a football with my kid beneath an oak tree, sitting beside my wife in a church pew on Sundays. And now here I was—trapped in a disposable marriage that meant nothing. The family life just wasn’t meant for me.
Olivia gave my kitchen a long, studious inspection. “You have a nice house.”
“You say that with zero sincerity.”
“I’d rather be at my home, but yours is lovely…”
“And?”
“And it doesn’t look like you.”
Her impression of me was cast in an ancient mold. We were both different people now. “You don’t know me anymore.”
Her tired eyes met mine. “I know you, Lachlan Hayes.”
“Doubt it, but it’s cute you think you do.” We’d delved into the past and our families, and now it was time to get down to the real issue. “How about we discuss my needs?”
“If this is where you demand your husbandly rights, I’m packing up another serving of that pasta and heading back to my apartment.”
“Interesting that you’d take my innocent words to such a naughty place, but I’ll overlook your lack of virtuous intentions.” I lifted my napkin to her parted lips and dabbed at a small drop of sauce. “I agreed to give you my PR business,” I said. “Now tell me how you’ll turn me into a new man.”
ChapterSeventeen
LACHLAN
My wife was tired,and a nicer man would’ve encouraged her to go upstairs.
So of course I ignored that idea.
Olivia yawned and checked the time on a phone that had just dinged again. “We can start your brand revamp at the office tomorrow.”
“I’d rather talk away from listening ears and sit in a seat that doesn’t smell like compost.”
“I have another project I’m working on tonight and need to finalize those details before I call it a day.”
“Your sister’s bookshop opening?” I asked.
Her smile lit her eyes. “How did you know?”
“Sugar Creek is talking about little else than the new store. I assumed you were in charge of her marketing.”
