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He laughed at that, leaning back in his chair. His tongue flicked out, moistening his pink lips. Gosh, why did he have to be so freakin’ kissable, even when he was irritating the crap out of me?
“That was a good one,” he drummed his knuckles on the tables.
“I can be witty,” I responded.
“I must be rubbing off on you,” he winked.
The waitress chose that moment to stride up to the table. “Have you decided what you’d like?” She smiled pleasantly, looking between the two of us.
“I’ll have the seafood Alfredo,” I handed her the menu.
“Same,” Trace handed her his menu as well.
“I’ll put that in. It shouldn’t take too long. I’ll bring you some breadsticks while you’re waiting,” she smiled and headed over to another table.
“Do you like your new phone?” He asked me.
“I love it, but—” I bit my lip, not wanting to continue.
“But what?” He prompted with a wave of his hand. “Spit it out.”
“It was expensive,” I squeaked, knowing I was in for a lecture.
“Olivia,” he growled my name, rubbing his hands on his jeans, “why does it bother you so much when I buy you things?”
I swallowed thickly, looking away from him. “Because I can’t do the same for you.”
“Do you think that matters to me? I want to buy you things. It brings me joy to see you happy,” his green eyes seared into me.
“It’s just that,” I took a deep breath, bracing myself, “Aaron used to buy my mom stuff and then hold it over her head. I know you’re not like that, Trace. I do. But that’s what I grew up with and—”
“I love you, Olivia. You’re my wife, for God’s sake,” he smacked his hand against the table, causing me to jump. “When I get you something, there are no strings attached.”
“I know—”
“Obviously you don’t know,” he pinched the bridge of his nose. Breathing deeply to calm himself, he said, “You need to let go of that silly notion. Aaron was a bastard and he shouldn’t have been allowed to breathe,” he seethed. Not caring that other people were around, he added, “If that fucker hadn’t hung himself I would’ve killed him. No one like him deserves to live.” His hands were fisted on the table and his breathing was ragged. “I hate that he treated you and your mom the way he did. I hate that I couldn’t do anything sooner. And most of all, I hate that because of him, there’s a part of you that’s always going to be broken.”
My bottom lip trembled as I fought tears.
“Please, don’t cry, Olivia,” he begged.
A single tear sli
d down my cheek and I hastily swiped it away but more replaced it.
“Ah, fuck. I’m such an ass,” he muttered under his breath as he pushed his chair back. He squatted in front of me, taking my face between his large hands and forcing me to look at him. “I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“But you’re right,” I sobbed. People were staring and I did my best to ignore their gazes.
“No, I’m not,” he shook his head. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
“But you did,” my voice cracked. “And you were right,” I repeated.
“You’re not broken, Olivia. I was wrong to say that. I—”
“But I am,” I placed a hand over his, taking a deep breath. “You should be able to buy me things without it making me feel guilty or sending me into a panic. I need to let go of what he did, but I haven’t gotten to that point yet. What if I never get there, Trace?”
“Then I’ll continue to love you just the way you are,” he swiped his thumb over my lips.
