“I’m so happy to hear you say that. I love you so much.” Holly sucked in a startled breath. “Let’s give our relationship another chance. I promise to make it up to you. I’ll never cheat on you again.”
Holly tried pulling her hands free. Oliver held on tight. “Are you crazy? I said I forgive you,notI want to get back together.”
He gave a slight head shake. “I love you. And I know you loved me.”
Had Holly been set up for some hidden camera show and this was some kind of joke? It would be funny if Oliver didn’t look like he’d burst into tears.
“Loved. That changed when you slept with another woman.” And now, as she remembered her love for Oliver, it paled in comparison how she felt for Ethan.
“You can love me again. We were great together.” Desperation laced his words and Holly wondered what was really motivating him. She didn’t care enough to find out. She wanted him out of her apartment.
“No, Oliver. I’ll never love you again.”
He reacted like she’d slapped him in the face. She took his moment of stunned silence to pull free and make her way to the door.
“You need to leave.” She gestured at the door.
“Holly, I love you,” he pleaded, looking like he was ready to drop to his knees and beg.
Did he not hear what she just said? “I’m sorry, Oliver. It’s over. It was over months ago.”
“You can’t throw away what we had. We were going to be married.”
Holly shook her head. What kind of man wanted to marry one woman while screwing another? Not one she ever wanted to be involved with again.
“Go. Now.”
“Come on, Holly—”
“Holly’s asked you to leave.” Caleb, Bonnie’s husband stood arms folded across a still impressive chest for a man in his late sixties. “So, get out.” Her boss had told Holly he’d been in the military and he’d kept in shape all these years later. By the looks of the package at his feet, he’d delivered her shirts. She’d never been so happy to see him.
Oliver’s mouth opened and closed then he pulled his shoulders back like he was trying to outdo Caleb’s size. There was no competition. Her landlord won hands down.
“I won’t ask you again,” Caleb warned. “If you don’t get your arse out of here, I’ll drag you out myself.”
“You can’t tell me to leave.” Oliver tried sounding tough but failed when his voice cracked.
“I can and I will. I own the place. You have five seconds.”
“Holly?” He glanced longingly at her probably hoping she’d ask him to stay.
“Leave,” she said.
He hung his head and made his way to the door. Caleb moved away only enough to let Oliver pass.
“I have cameras set up around the property. If I see you here again, you’ll be dealing with the police.”
Oliver didn’t bother replying. Holly watched him leave.
The breath she held came out in a gust of air.
“Are you okay?” Caleb asked. The stern countenance he’d worn for Oliver switched to concern as he examined Holly’s face.
She nodded. “Thank you for stepping in.”
“If you ever need me again, just yell.”
She smiled. “I will. Thanks.”
