AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Turning into his chest, I inhale deeply his warm scent of sandalwood, soap, and him. “You weren’t okay out there today.”
“I was not.” It’s a bitter retort, and I slide my arm around his waist.
“It’s what almost drove us apart.”
His face lowers, and he kisses the top of my head. “Almost, but not.”
“You never told me what changed your mind. Other than the undeniable inevitability of us.”
That makes him smile, and he gazes into my eyes. “Jack.”
“Him again?”
“Yeah, that brother of mine. He’s smarter than he looks.”
“You’re all too pretty to be so smart. What did he say?”
Zane exhales, scooting around and putting pillows under our heads. “He suggested I work on changing my mindset. Something could always happen, but I won’t miss out on the reality of us by obsessing over hypothetical outcomes.”
“I’ll do a better job next time. I should’ve thought?—”
“I don’t want you to stop being you to protect me.” He slides his hand over my head. “I’ll get there, and our path together leads out of the darkness.”
“Our path together is golden.”
“My goodnessit feels like I’ve been gone a lifetime!” Miss Gina reaches for my hand, but I pull her into a hug.
“I missed you so much!”
It’s the night of the pool tournament, and Miss Gina came straight to the restaurant to witness the event. A tallish womanmy age stands beside her. She has bright hazel eyes and straight, strawberry-blonde hair styled in a shoulder-length bob with curtain bangs.
She’s dressed in gray slacks and a white shirt unbuttoned at the neck with a matching gray blazer and a bright red scarf. She looks very professional.
“Hi, I’m Rachel Wells.” I stretch out my hand. “I’m Miss Gina’s nurse.”
“Olivia Bankston.” She shakes my hand with unexpected vigor. “But you can just call me Liv. Everybody around here does.”
“Are you from Newhope?”
“Liv?” Dylan’s voice goes high behind me. “Is that you? Lord, I haven’t seen you in ages! How are you doing? What are you doing here?”
“Dylan! Oh my gosh!” Liv hops over, bending down to hug Dylan. “Alexis couldn’t get away, and you know Mom had that bad fall last month. I don’t think she’s recovering like she should.”
Dylan steps back holding Liv’s hands and looking up at her. “You look so good! Supermodel lawyer!”
“No,” Liv shakes her head. “Just a lawyer, nothing super.”
“I’m sure your mom is glad you’re here. I went by and checked on her last week. She should be putting more weight on that leg, so maybe you’re right.”
“I’ll take care of her.” Liv smiles, and her eyes travel around the restaurant. “How’s Garrett? Is he here?”
“Oh, no.” Dylan loops her arm through Olivia’s. “Grizz is still playing for the Pirates in New Jersey. He only gets home a few days at Christmas and a month every summer.”
“Ah…” Her tone is neutral, but I detect something more. “I know you miss him.”
“He is a big space to fill.”
“No one ever made me laugh as much as he did.”
