“What? No, Byrdie, leave him alone,” I snapped as I chased after her, but of course, it was pointless as she called out to him.
“Hey, Highland! It’s good to see you. I feel like I haven’t seen you since that night at the fair. Far too long.”
In true Highland fashion, he was polite as he addressed Byrdie while the kids swarmed me, talking all at once about their day at the aquarium. My ear was to the conversation with Highland and Byrdie though.
“So, as you may have heard, we’re planning our family vacation down in The Keys. Liv will be at your house, of course,while my family rents one close by. We’re going over activities and I was telling Liv that y’all should double date with me and my husband Troy. And maybe a family game night. And well, that one can happen in your house. I heard it’s really nice and I just have to see it.” I could feel Highland’s burning gaze on me, and like a scary person, I looked everywhere but at him.
This is why you should’ve just told Byrdie. Now you’re going to look like a fucking crazy person for continuing with this façade that you two are still together.
Highland smirked. “Hm…this is news to me. Just give me the dates and I’ll make sure my schedule is open.” Byrdie yelped and stuck her tongue out at me.
“Thank you because your woman was being difficult and trying not to include you, and I was like, aht aht we gotta do something only for the grownups.”
“Damn, that’s messed up, Olive. You were going to leave me out in my own house?” This was the first time he had called me Olive in weeks. I had been Liv since that fucked up day in my office. I looked up at him, his brown eyes staring at me, saying everything.
And now you’re lying and got caught doing it. You’re never going to get this man back.
“No, nothing is final,” I said. We stood there just staring at each other. I wanted to say so much but my mouth wouldn’t move and let my words out. I was sure this whole situation was awkward, especially since Highland or me actually greeted each other. No “hi, baby” or kisses.
It got quiet before Byrdie spoke.
“Hey kids, how about we go get some ice cream?” All the kids yelled in excitement as she led them into the house.
“I apologize about that. You can ignore Byrdie’s request. I’m going to tell her about us. But if the girls want to spend time withus while we’re down there, just let me know.” I rushed the words out.
He nodded. “When are you coming down?”
“Phew, I don’t know yet. I still have to find a house or book a room for Jo-Jo and me. We’re going over our schedules now. But probably in a week or so.”
Another nod. “How long are y’all staying?”
I squinted as I tilted my head to the side as if I truly had to think about the time off I was planning to take. I was buying time to be next to him. Even with the few inches between us, I could smell his scent and I wasn’t ready to leave it.
“Umm… I think two weeks. I’m trying to work it out since Byrdie extended her vacation, plus I wanted to do something special for Jo-Jo since Jasiel isn’t going to make it back for a while.”
“Wow, two weeks. Did you quit your job or something? That’s a long time to take off work when you’re the only employee.” I didn’t miss his sarcastic tone, making me scoff. He knew I hadn’t.
“No. But I can do that when I’m the boss.” Highland snorted.
“I’m the boss too but I guess things are different when you laying up with your clients.” I rolled my eyes hard but didn’t open my mouth to defend my career again. Highland was set on me seeing this from his point of view only.
But, so are you, Olive.
I groaned at my own thoughts working against me.
I tried to see it from Highland’s perspective but I never had an issue before with any of my clients being inappropriate and wished he could understand it wasn’t that deep for me beyond helping my clients work through their needs. I needed Highland to understand I only wanted him to hold me.
“Highland, it’s not fair for you to expect me to make such a major decision at the drop of a dime when you saw somethingyou didn’t like once. You gave me no chance to possibly figure something else out. Leading me to believe you really didn’t want me anyway. It’s not just me and you know that. Jo-Jo has daily needs that require my income. This house and the bills alone should tell you that.”
Highland stepped closer to me and, for the first time in weeks, touched me. His strong hand cupped my face, and instantly, like butter spreading on toast, I melted into it. And the ache that sat in my heart seemed to ease. I breathed out in relief from having him back on my body, even if it was just a simple caress on my cheek.
“Olive, you mentioning Jo-Jo like I don’t know he’s a major factor. But, baby, I would’ve handled everything for you two and you know that. I’m a man who understands that my request was life changing, but I assumed that you trusted me to hold you down no matter what. I’ve told you since our first date, I was working on our forever type of thing. That included me taking care of you and Jo-Jo too.”
“We can still have that.”
“Are you ready to dissolve your business?”
“Highland… I’m trying to see this from your eyes but no. I’m not ready. I can’t just abandon my clients like that. They need me,” I stressed, my tone coming out whiny.
