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“But you want one.”
Shannon’s eyes flew open again, then narrowed into slits. “What makes you say that?”
Olivia shrugged. “You hide it better than I do, but I’ve seen the way you look at him. You like it when he’s bossy, and part of you wants to let him be the boss of you. You may have buried her deep beneath those layers of polish and sophistication, but your Little is still there and she needs a Daddy.”
“She’s buried deep for a reason, Liv. To be honest, I’m not sure I was ever a real Little anyway. The only thing I’m sure of is that I have zero interest in finding a Daddy again.”
“Why don’t you think you’re really a Little?”
“Just drop it, Liv.”
Olivia opened her mouth to argue, then snapped it shut again. “All right. But as soon as you’re feeling better, we’re talking about this.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
As much as she wanted to push, she’d promised to keep Shannon calm and as stress free as possible. “All right. You up for coming downstairs?”
“I think I’m just going to rest for a bit.”
Leaving was somehow harder than it had been in the hospital, but Olivia nodded and stood to go. She’d made it to the doorway when Shannon called her name.
Stopping, she turned, her heart breaking at the uncharacteristic vulnerability on her bestie’s face. “Yes?”
“Thank you. For everything. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I love you.”
“I know. But thanks anyway.”
Pulling the door shut behind her, Olivia closed her eyes and blew out a long, shaky breath. Once she felt a little steadier, she headed downstairs to where her husband was fixing dinner while Bryant sipped a glass of scotch and watched his brother cook.
“I need to come over more often. I miss home-cooked meals.”
“I see how it is.” Olivia sniffed dramatically, drawing the attention of the two men her way. “You just miss my Nonna’s Chicken Alfredo, not me.”
“Of course I miss you, silly girl. But your Daddy’s cooking is a definite bonus.”
“Eh, he does okay.” Giggling, she darted behind Bryant when James turned away from the stove wielding a wooden spoon. “Kidding, Daddy!”
“Hmm.” Tapping the spoon against his open palm, James sent her a wicked grin. “You can’t hide behind Bryant forever, little one. Did you get Shannon settled?”
“Yeah. I asked if she wanted to come down for dinner but she said she wanted to rest.”
“She needs to eat so her body has the energy to heal.” Bryant’s voice was gruff, but tinged with worry. “I can carry her down if she’s that worn out.”
Stifling a giggle at the mental image of Bryant trying to carry Shannon down the stairs against her will, Olivia patted his shoulder. “I’ll take a plate up to her when she’s ready. I think this was all just a lot for her today. Emotionally as well as physically.”
Bryant turned and studied her through narrowed eyes. “What did she say while you were up there?”
“Nothing, really,” Olivia lied, ignoring the slight pang of guilt. “But I know her. She’s not used to needing anyone.”
“Well, she needs to stop being so damn stubborn and let you help her.”
“I don’t disagree.” With a shrug, Olivia moved to the wine fridge. “Daddy, may I have a glass of wine with dinner, please?”
“Yes,” James answered, lifting a spoon to his lips to taste the sauce. “Go ahead and open a bottle. Dinner should be ready in about ten minutes.”
When she carried the bottle to the table, Bryant gave her an indulgent smile. Whiskey always put him in an affectionate mood. “I need a well-mannered little girl like our Livvy.”
