Page 129 of The Contract Marriage

–Max: An appointment?! We’re family, girl. How about lunch today?

–Me: Thanks. My treat.

I take her to the Italian restaurant Simon found. If Liam’s going to get a report from Max, I want to show him this place isn’t that special—having lunch with Simon here meant nothing.

Max is in a conservatively cut green dress that brings out her eyes. Her baby bump shows a tiny bit, but the loose fold of the bodice hides it pretty well. She glances around. “This is pretty.”

“Yeah, something a former coworker discovered.” I avoid mentioning Simon beyond that, in case she knows about his role in the marital disaster. Max is most definitely on Team Liam.

We order the lunch special.

“How are you?” Her eyes roam my face.

I manage a smile. “Doing okay. The morning sickness is finally gone. You?”

“I still get nauseous sometimes, but it’s mostly fine now. Rhys—” She stops.

“Go ahead.”

She flushes. “Rhys has been rubbing my back and bringing me hot tea to help settle my stomach.” She clears her throat. “Sorry, I wasn’t planning to talk about that.”

I smile, trying to ignore the wistful certainty that I could’ve had the same with Liam. “It’s fine. Don’t hold back because I was stupid enough to ruin a good thing.”

Our server brings out our chicken and sun-dried tomato pasta, then disappears to serve other patrons. I lick my dry lips, moving the spaghetti listlessly on the plate. “How’s Liam doing, if you can share?” Can you tell him to come to me? That I miss him terribly?

“He’s, um… I think he’s okay.” She shrugs and takes a bite. “Just a little tired. He isn’t sleeping well. But…” She shrugs again.

“Is he still smiling?” I ask, torn. I want him to be happy, but I also don’t want him to be, not if I’m not around. It probably makes me selfish, but I want him to be unhappy without me. I want him to have a reason to want to get back together.

She nods. “Yes.”

I sigh. “I was such a fool. The entire time we were together, he was always smiling. He was like the sun, just endlessly warm and giving. And I thought it meant he was fine. But I should’ve known better. We all learn to smile through our pain.”

“I don’t think he knows how to cry even when he’s bleeding,” Max says quietly.

And yet I made him cry. When he asked me what he meant to me on that fateful Friday after hearing me call him a pawn, I saw his eyes glisten with tears even though they didn’t fall.

I can’t help it. I cover my face and let out a small moan.

Max puts a hand on my wrist. “I think he still loves you, Olivia. But he’s…” Max sighs. “He just wants you to love him even a fraction as much as he loves you.”

“Did he tell you that?” My voice cracks.

“He didn’t have to.” She shakes her head. “He thinks he’s slick with that easy grin, but I can tell. You mean so much to him. Rhys said he’s never seen him like this before. Apparently, he’s been in love with you since college?”

I give a shaky laugh. “When we first met, he couldn’t even say hello. I mean, I was really nervous too, even though I acted cool. He was just so…perfect, you know?”

Max smiles. “You’re crazy about him.”

I nod, trying to keep it together.

Her grin broadens. “I don’t know exactly what the problem is, but I’m sure you guys can resolve things. I have faith. Besides, he hasn’t been totally immune to you.” She leans closer. “I’m sure I’m not supposed to tell you, but… He sent oranges to the hospital. For you.”

“He did…?” Tears sting my eyes.

“Yep.” She lowers her voice. “And he went to Dr. Silverman’s office. I overheard Silas talking about it. Liam apparently stood outside the door and listened to the baby’s heartbeat.”

I blink fast to avoid crying, but I can’t stop sniffling. All this time, I thought maybe he wouldn’t want me. But he’s been silently watching over me like a guardian angel.