I nodded.“Yeah, we are.”
Another silence.A comfortable one this time.
“Your mom would've given us both an earful for being so stubborn.”
A chuckle escaped me, surprising us both.“Yeah, she would've.”
Dad's lips quirked up in the first genuine smile I’d seen all day.“Remember how she used to threaten to lock us in a room together until we worked out our differences?”
“God, yes.”I laughed.“She was always so determined to keep us talking, even when we were at each other's throats.”
“She knew how important family was,” Dad said.“How easily it could slip away if you weren't careful.”
I’d mirrored Dad's posture without realizing it—hands shoved deep in my pockets, shoulders hunched against a chill that had nothing to do with the weather.This was hardly the tough-love conversation I’d been looking for.
An image of Olivia surfaced.I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.But her face lingered, a beacon of warmth in the cold cemetery.
I started, feeling Dad’s hand on my shoulder.
“You okay, Son?”
I nodded, unable to put my thoughts into words.But as we stood there, paying our respects to the woman we both loved and lost, I felt something stirring inside me.
Something I wasn't sure I was ready to face.
* * *
I drummedmy fingers on the kitchen counter, my eyes darting to the clock for the hundredth time.Where the hell is she?Olivia was usually punctual, but today of all days, she was running late.
The weekend had been torture.I was unable to settle to anything, the urge to see her was almost physically painful.
I paced the kitchen, my coffee going cold.What was I thinking, letting her bring that dog to work?It was unprofessional, a disaster waiting to happen.But the thought of easing her pain, of seeing her face light up...It was worth it.
The sound of tires on the brick street froze me in place.I peered out the window, my mouth going dry as I saw Olivia's car pull in.She emerged, looking stunning in a soft blue blouse, Pete trotting happily beside her.
I closed my eyes and breathed in through my nose.This was just another workday.Nothing had changed.I couldn't let her see how much she affected me.
My back door swung open, Olivia letting herself in as always.I leaned against the kitchen island in an effort to appear casual.
“Oh, good morning, Carter!I hope it's still okay that I brought Pete.He's very well-behaved, I promise.”
I looked down at Pete.He wagged his tail, gazing at me with those big expressive eyes.Damn dog was almost as charming as his owner.
“It's fine,” I managed.
“Do you want to pet him?”
I hesitated.Pete's tail swished furiously, his tongue lolling out in a doggy grin.Shit.Is it even possible to say no to that face?
“Sure, why not?”I crouched down and Pete's ears perked up as I extended my hand.He sniffed my fingers, then bumped his head against my palm, demanding attention.I obliged, scratching behind his ears.
“He likes you.”Olivia’s voice was warm with approval.I glanced up, catching her delighted smile.Fuck, she was beautiful when she looked at me like that.
Pete inched closer, his whole body quivering with excitement.Before I could react, he lunged forward, his pink tongue swiping across my face.
“Ugh!”I sputtered, jerking back.But then something unexpected happened.A snicker escaped my lips, growing into full-blown laughter.
Pete wagged even harder, encouraged by my reaction.He showered me with more enthusiastic licks, his paws scrabbling at my chest.
