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“It’s the fucking plague,” Emma moans over the phone when I call her about teasers for her new book. “Maxim and I have been in bed all day, and we’re only feeling worse. Everyone’s got it.”
My heart stammers. “Max too? How’s his voice?”
“He’s resting it,” she says, but she sounds worried. “Your dad, John, and Tim are postponing tonight’s show on the doctor’s orders. Max didn’t want to, but there’s no way he can sing without risking permanent damage to his vocal cords.”
Maxim groans in the background. “It’s okay. I knew something like this was going to happen at some point while we were on tour, so I’ve got a contingency plan in place. Just stop talking and go back to sleep.”
I chuckle. “Feel better, guys.”
It takes three more days before everyone’s back on their feet and the great plague has passed. Between us, the Full Moon crew has probably exhausted the entire country’s supply of antivirals, but once Dad and the guys get back onstage, they more than make up for having had to postpone the shows.
With our timeline tighter than ever before, none of us get a lot of sleep as we finish out Australia without having any more days off. We hit South America with a vengeance, but we’re back on track.
“Our virtual tour is today,” Olivia reminds me one morning in Argentina. “Don’t be late, okay?”
“Same to you.” I pull her back on the bed and kiss her again, but we’re both going to be late if we keep this up. “How long have you got before your meeting?”
She glances at the watch on her wrist. “Twenty minutes, and I still have to shower.”
“Fuck,” I grumble, but as I take her arm and check the time myself, I realize I’ve only got fifteen. “How long before we get home? I’m so ready to go home.”
“Same.” She giggles, climbing off the bed and waggling her eyebrows at me as she starts inching toward our ensuite bathroom. “First one in the shower gets the first orgasm tonight.”
Playing along, I jump out of bed and pretend to race her, but the truth is I really don’t mind having to deliver before getting my own. Somehow life with Olivia is only getting better. We’re more than used to having each other in our space now, and when I said I couldn’t wait to get home, I really meant it, not just because our schedules have been killing us both.
I can’t wait to move in with her officially. I can’t wait for all of this to be real back in New York, and I can’t wait to keep doing this with her every day—for the rest of our lives if I have anything to say about it.
34
OLIVIA
“God, I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired.” I yawn, covering my mouth with the back of my hand. “How’s the book coming?”
Emma glances at me and shrugs. “It’s okay. I’m glad we took the time to do this, though.”
I nod, taking a deep breath as I look out at our view of Rio. “Yeah, so am I. I know we’ve been exploring as much as we can, but I still want to visit all these cities at our own pace sometime. We should all do it together but on holiday instead of on tour.”
She smiles. “That would be great, but God only knows when we’re going to be able to. With the boys starting the company, your dad deciding to give you more responsibility in the firm once we get home, and my books, I don’t think we’re going to be slowing down much once the tour is over.”
“True.” I agree.
It’s been a few days since my dad sat me down to havethe talk, but excitement about him finally deeming me ready to take on more responsibility is about the only thing keeping me awake right now. I’m exhausted all the way down to my bones, and although lunch with Emma is always fun, I really just want to have a nap right about now.
“What’s up?” I ask after we’ve placed our orders. “You and I don’t do this nearly enough, but I’m assuming there’s a reason for you wanting to today?”
She nods, seeming almost nervous as she brings her gaze back to mine. “As you know, Maxim and I have been getting into the nitty-gritty details about the wedding, and I asked you to lunch because I want to know if you’ll be a bridesmaid.”
My exhaustion vanishes in an instant as I shove my chair back and just about fall into her lap in my haste to hug her. “Of course I will. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” She wraps her arms around me and holds me tight. “I have a feeling we’re going to be sisters one day, and even if it doesn’t work out that way, I’d still be honored to have you standing with me. You’re one of my closest friends.”
Tears spring to my eyes, but I blink them away before letting go of her to return to my own chair. As I sit, the waiter brings our waters, and after opening them, he takes our food order. Once we’re alone again, I stare back at her and wonder if she knows something I don’t. Something that the very thought of makes my heart beat faster.
“You really think we’re going to be sisters one day?”
She grins. “I do. You and Vincent just signed the lease on that apartment, so things are definitely serious between you two. I’ve also never even thought it was possible for him to look at someone the way he looks at you. He hasn’t said anything to me or Maxim as far as I know, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he asks you to marry him soon.”
My poor heart skips, but I try not to show it. Instead, I breathe in and out deeply, then move the conversation back to the engagement we should be talking about. “We’ll see how it goes. Our relationship is still too new for that, I think. Anyway, let’s talk about you. Your wedding is the one that’s actually happening and soon. How are you feeling about it?”
