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“Where’s her room?” asked Josh. “I need some place to put her.”
“Where was she?” asked Olivia, with a smirk. “In your room?”
“No!” Josh retorted. “She was in Jace’s room.”
“Whatever.” Olivia led Josh to Charlie’s bed and showed Brad her bathroom bag.
“It’s Benadryl,” Brad confirmed. “She even left the bottle out.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine in the morning,” said Josh, as he laid her gently on the sheets and covered her up. Somehow, he felt reluctant leaving her lying in her bed alone. He glanced her direction one last time before he left the room. By this time the excitement was over and the crowd had returned downstairs. But Derek was standing in the hallway, watching him. He didn’t say anything to Josh, but cocked his head in an unspoken question.
Josh took a huge breath, and released it. “Olivia. I love
Olivia.” He grimaced at Derek. “You’re welcome to date Charlie.”
His mouth dropped open, but he held his tongue. Josh stomped back toward the stairs, but stopped at the landing. He turned around and took three long steps back to grab the front of Derek’s shirt in his fist and pull him in close. “But if you hurt her, I might kill you.”
Derek knocked his hand away. “Look, buddy. I haven’t done anything, and that’s twice you’ve grabbed my shirt and threatened me. Don’t you think you’re a bit overprotective of this girl you supposedly aren’t in love with?”
“No,” Josh answered, tramping down the stairs. “And don’t go in her room!”
“I’M WORRIED ABOUT JOSH and Olivia,” Anne confided to Steven later that night.
“Really? Why is that?” asked Steven. He tensed, realizing his wife might very well be attempting to push the two together, as was her custom in her perceived roll of matchmaker.
“They don’t really act like they’re in love. I’m afraid the pressures of parenthood have already taken a toll on their relationship.”
“It’s possible.” Steven attempted to hide his new-found knowledge of Josh’s situation, since he’d been sworn to secrecy.
“Well, what are we going to do about it?” she demanded, her hands on her hips.
“We’re going to do nothing. I’m trying everything I can to help him obtain custody without being married. Other than that, there’s nothing we can do.”
“But maybe if you talked to him about it...”
“No, Anne. I’m not going to interfere.”
“Well, then I’ll have to talk to Olivia.”
“No, you need to put it out of your mind and quit worrying about it.”
“But I can’t.” She paced at the foot of the bed, gesturing with both hands. “It’s all I can think about.”
Steven set aside the book in his hands and began to rise slowly from the bed. “Is that so? That’s all you can think about?” He grinned as he moved toward her. “That sounds like a challenge to me.”
“Steven!” she shrieked, as she retreated a step, holding her hands out in front of her for protection.
“I love it when you say my name like that.” He swooped in to grab her legs and throw her over his shoulder, struggling and giggling. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t throw you on this bed and have my way with you.”
From her upside-down angle, Anne chuckled. “Sorry. I can’t think of a single one.”
Chapter Eleven
JOSH WAS DETERMINED when he got out of bed the next morning. Determined to make his relationship with Olivia work. Determined to court her and spend quality time with her. Determined to show her what a good husband he could be. Determined to build a relationship that would last through the years, rather than a temporary marriage for the purpose of gaining custody of the children. Steven was right. If he and Olivia didn’t love each other, someone would definitely be hurt, probably Jace. And the last thing Jace needed was more pain.
He was also determined to get Charlie out of his system. In fact, it would be best if she were unavailable. So Charlie and Derek needed to be together. That way Charlie wouldn’t be a temptation any longer. But he knew he needed help to accomplish his task. And there was only one person he knew who’d be willing to help him—Brad.
“Now tell me again why I’m helping Charlie and Derek get together?” asked Brad, his face a mask of confusion.
