She lifts her shoulders. “Apparently.”
Christ, I hope Lance doesn’t hate me for what I’m about to tell her. If she were anyone else, I wouldn’t say anything and would let them muddle through things themselves. But this is Lance and Olivia.
“Lance. Does the name ring a bell?”
Olivia smacks me in the chest, and a light laugh escapes her. “Smart-ass.”
“You talking about me or Lance?” I rub the spot where she hit me, pretending to be wounded.
“Why would you think Lance is in love with me?”
I make a noise that is part laugh, part groan. “I know it’s been quite a few years since you were last single, but you can’t be that oblivious, Aramis.”
She rolls her eyes. “Clearly, I am, Athos. So, you might as well spell it out.”
I wait a beat, drawing out the suspense, and stand. “You know what?”
She glances up at me, her expression hopeful, her smile relieved. “What?”
“I’m gonna let you figure that out yourself.” I tap her on the nose like I used to do when we were kids. “I might as well have some fun out of this.”
She laughs, and the spark I remember from before we lost Colton flares to life in her eyes. “Fine. You have your fun at my expense.”
“I’m sure I will.” All humor fades from my expression. “Are you going to be okay?” I’m not talking about Lance or about how I’m determined to stay with Jess. I’m referring to how Olivia misses the man she has loved for a good part of her life.
“I think so.” She looks like she’s going to say something else but then changes her mind. She glances at her phone. “I should get back to my parents and pick up Nova.”
“I should get back to work before Lance sends a search party. But I really wish you would give Jess a chance. I know you’d like her if you got to know her.”
Olivia picks up her picnic basket next to her on the bench. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, Troy.”
“I’m always careful.” Except being careful is the least of my concerns right now.
46
JESSICA
September, Present Day
Maple Ridge
My phone pingsnext to me on Troy’s desk.
Emily: I’m outside the door.
Me: Be right there.
I grab Bailey’s leash from on top of a small pile of architect journals, click it onto her collar, and retrieve my purse from the bottom desk drawer. The sky outside the window is blue with a few wispy clouds streaked across it.
I walk through the reception area where I normally would be working and unlock the door. Emily is waiting for us in the brightly lit hallway.
She’s not the only one there.
“Hey, Kellan. I wasn’t expecting to see you.” I smile at him. He nods back.
“Mr. Talkative insisted on joining us on our grocery shopping trip.” Amusement and the equivalent of a hearty eye roll wraps around Emily’s tone.
He grunts. “Needed to stretch my legs.”
