“You’re going to be there, right, Liv?” He moves the phone slightly, and I get a quick shot of his bare chest and all eight of his deliciously defined abs. The ones I’d like to trace with my tongue.
“Absolutely.” I lick my dry lips and try to get my thoughts back in order. “I’ll see you soon. Go back to sleep.”
“Sweet dreams, wife.”
“You, too, husband.”
OLIVIA
I love when someone asks me if I have any idea how bad caffeine is for your system.
Listen, Karen, I used to drink beer from a red Solo cup that still had a ball in it that an entire fraternity touched before, during, and after it rolled across a floor that was so dirty, we had special shoes we used to wear when we went to that house.
I doubt the caffeine will kill me. But thanks.
—Olivia’s Secret Thoughts
One canceled flight, two delays, and pulling some strings to book a private jet later, I land at a private air strip thirty-five minutes from the Triple Crown, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going to have to go straight to the courthouse. Damn it.
Olivia
Just landed. I have a car picking me up that will take me right to the courthouse. Be there as soon as possible. I promise.
Logan
You’re not going to make it.
Olivia
If I have to run the whole way there in my fucking heels, I will be there, Logan.
I’m sorry.
Logan
Don’t be sorry. Just be here.
I grab my bag and race to the car I orderedfrom the fucking plane.
“Ms. St. James?” the driver asks as I open the door myself and toss my bag inside.
“Yes. Please, we have to go.” I climb into the back seat and buckle my belt. “How far away is the county courthouse?”
“Twenty minutes,” he says casually, adjusting his mirror.
I glance at my watch. I need to be there in thirty. We can do this. “I’ll pay you a thousand dollars if you can get me there in fifteen.”
By the time I come to a screeching halt inside the old courthouse, I’m out of breath from racing up the obscene amount of steps outside the damn building.My hair has fallen from my bun and is catching in my glasses, my feet hurt, and so do my arms. Guess maybe I overpacked, and dragging my suitcase up the marble stairs outside didn’t do me any favors.
I scan the hall, finding Logan, Nina, and the entire Langley family gathered outside the courtroom doors, heads bent in what looks like deep discussion. They haven’t seen me yet, giving me a moment to gather my composure, straighten my dress and hair, and suck in some much-needed oxygen before dragging myself and my suitcase their way.
Logan’s eyes meet mine first, and I have absolutely no idea if anyone else so much as lifts their head because he’s all I see.
“I’m sorry,”I mouth silently and walk through the family gathered around him, straight into his arms. “You okay?” I whisper. This isn’t for show. This is me asking him.
He wraps his arms around me and drops his face to my hair. “Better now.”
“Glad you made it, Liv,” Nina says from somewhere behind me, but I don’t move.
