Her eyes met mine, swimming with unshed tears.In that moment, all the doubts and fears vanished.Whatever was going on with her, whatever she wasn't telling me, I knew one thing for certain—I loved her, and I wasn't going anywhere.
“Come here.”I folded her into a tight hug.
She buried her face against my chest, her body shaking with silent sobs.I held her close, stroking her hair.
Wick hadn’t cooled down from his protective frenzy.He paced the lawn, running a hand through his disheveled hair.“We'll figure this out, Liv.Get a restraining order or something.”
I hated seeing Olivia so shaken.The idea of her staying here when Ethan could show up again at any moment tied my stomach in knots.I blurted out the offer before I lost my nerve.“Why don't you and Pete come stay at my house until he's dealt with?”
Olivia stared at me, shock written across her tear-stained face.After a moment, she wrung her hands and shook her head.“We can't do that.I don't want to impose.”
“You wouldn't be,” I insisted.“I want you there.Both of you.”I waited for her response with bated breath, hoping she'd see past her pride and let me help.
She nodded.“Okay.I need to pack a few things.”
“I'll help you, honey.”Olivia's neighbor, Amelia, who I had momentarily forgotten in the midst of this shitshow, stepped in.
I watched as Olivia and Amelia disappeared into the house, Pete scampering after them.Wick halted his pacing and locked eyes with me.In that silent exchange, we forged an unspoken pact.Come hell or high water, we'd move mountains to keep Olivia safe and far away from Ethan fucking Parker.
* * *
I tuckedthe blanket around Olivia, draping it over her shoulders before leaning down to press my lips to her forehead.Her skin was warm and satiny against my lips.When I pulled back and stared into her hazel eyes, I saw exhaustion and uncertainty swirling in their depths.
“There,” I murmured, my voice low in the quiet of my bedroom.
Olivia's eyes darted around my room.“I've never slept in your bed before.”
I glanced down at Pete, curled up by our feet.The little dog was already out cold, his snores shockingly loud.“We always stay at your house.For Pete.”I nodded toward him.“But he doesn't seem to have a problem with my bed.Do you?”
She shook her head, her long hair fanning out on my pillow.“No, of course not.I just feel terrible.You haven't slept all night, and the fight with Ethan, and?—”
“Olivia, stop.”I cut her off gently.“None of that is your fault.I'm not worried about missing a little sleep.I'm worried aboutyou.” I studied her face, noting the shadows under her eyes, the slight downturn of her lips.“I can tell something's off with you, and I just...I just wish you'd talk to me.”
Her eyes met mine briefly before skittering away.Her voice was barely more than a whisper when she replied, “I can't.”
“Look at me, Olivia.”I took a long breath, hoping to steady my pounding heart.“I need you to understand something.You've changed everything for me.From the moment you walked into my life.I’ve never dropped my guard like this for anyone.”My hand found hers, and I laced our fingers together.“Your kindness, your resilience, your ridiculous Sunkist addiction—they've all wormed their way into my heart.You make me want to be better, to open up, to feel things I've been afraid of for so long.You’ve shown me what it means to truly connect with someone.”My voice broke, filled with emotion I couldn't hold back.“I love you, Olivia.I'm in love with you, and I will be here when you're ready to talk.”
My heart ached at the naked fear in her eyes.What was she so afraid of?My mind sifted through possibilities, each one worse than the last.
“Sunny, whatever it is, you can tell me.I'm here for you, no matter what.”
Her lip trembled and her eyes welled up with tears.“Carter, I...”Her voice cracked, and she took a shaky breath.“I don't know how?—”
When I touched her hand, her fingers were cold and trembling.“Just say it, Olivia.Whatever it is, we'll figure it out.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, and a tear trickled down her cheek.“I'm pregnant.”
The words knocked the air from my lungs.Pregnant?My mind reeled, struggling to process this information.But as I looked at Olivia’s anxious face, I knew my reaction was crucial.I pressed her hand gently and smiled.“Pregnant?”She nodded as more tears streamed down her cheeks.“That's pretty fucking amazing.”
The sob that tore from her throat had me instantly gathering her against my chest.“Olivia, that is so fucking amazing.”
I cradled her in my arms, rocking her gently as her tears soaked into my t-shirt.When her sobs finally subsided, I eased back, cupping her face in my hands.Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy, but still beautiful.
“So you're pretty scared, huh?”
She let out a watery laugh.“Understatement of the century.”
I wiped at her tears with my thumbs.“You've got this.We'vegot this.What did Mel say?”
