He strode right up to her. She took a few steps back because he looked like he wanted to throttle her.
When he reached her, his hands were in fists at his side. “I’ve been trying to talk to you for two weeks.”
“I don’t want to talk to you. I can’t believe you’re at my place of work.” She glanced around the parking lot. She didn’t want to create a scene, but she’d scream if she had to. Thank goodness, people were milling about, going to different shops in the shopping center.
“You won’t stop avoiding me. I need to tell you something.”
Olivia wrapped her arms around her middle and chewed on her bottom lip. “So say it. I need to get to work.”
“I forgive you for sleeping with Flynn. He’s a player and you were in shock. I can see how he could manipulate you in that situation.”
She just glared at him, counting to ten in her head. How dare he? “Okay, let me take this slow because you’re really not taking hints at this point. First, he didn’t seduce me. I seduced him. I did what I wanted, no one manipulated me to do anything.”
“Olivia, I—”
“No. Shut up.” She put a hand up to stop him. “Just listen. I don’t need your forgiveness. As far as I’m concerned, you ended our relationship when you decided to long-term screw around with my best friend. We are finished and we were finished when I made love to Flynn. You got all that?”
Jared grabbed her hand, shoving it down, then clutched her elbow and pulled her closer. “When did you get so heartless?”
“Me?” She just blinked at him then wrenched her arm away. Relief flowed through her like cold water when he let her step way. “No, heartless would be telling you that I’m in love with him.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“I know.” Flynn would never love her back. She knew that. It didn’t make any sense why she needed to tell people she loved him, except it was some small comfort to say it out loud. Even if he didn’t feel the same, she could own her feelings. “It doesn’t change things.”
“Well, know this: I intend to make sure my dad ruins Flynn. He won’t get the contract for the hotel and I’ll do my best to run him out of business.”
That shook her. She’d never thought about Jared lashing out at Flynn, only her and she hadn’t cared. She’d wanted to make him angry. He acted like he owned her, she was his property to use and hurt however he chose. And to forgive—the absolute nerve.
“Jared, be pissed at me. Flynn did nothing to you. He’s not fighting you for me. Stop this.” Her words all ran together in her rush to get them out.
“Does that mean we have a chance?” He reached out for her, but she shoved at his chest. He stumbled back a step and his eyes flashed.
“No, we don’t have a chance. You screwed us up forever. Stop trying to take it out on someone else. It’s over.”
“Don’t worry, angel. I am pissed at you. And if you really love him, this is the best way to hurt you. You’re going to be so sorry for your words.” His smug smile had her shaking. She couldn’t let Jared do this to Flynn. She’d figure something out.
And then she knew what to do. She’d go to Jared’s father. Mr. King had always liked her. He probably hated her, now, but if she explained what Jared had done… maybe he wouldn’t let Jared use him to hurt Flynn.
“We’ll see. I’m going to work now.” She walked backward a few steps. “Don’t ever contact me again. If we see each other out, don’t speak. Walk the other way. Leave me alone or I swear I’ll get a restraining order. Are we clear?”
“We’re clear, you cold bitch.” He spat at her feet and Olivia flinched. When he turned and walked away, she almost sank to the ground. She’d been so afraid, but she’d stood her ground, stood up to him, and she wasn’t finished. When her shift was over, she’d go see Mr. King. She’d make this right for Flynn if it killed her.
***
Now, she sat outside his office, practically wringing her hands together. So much nervous energy coursed through her body right now, she needed to run a few laps to get rid of it, but all she could do was sit and wait.
His secretary knew who Olivia was, of course. She’d been polite when she told Olivia to take a seat, but then she’d picked up her phone and continued to chatter away on it, casting sidelong glances at Olivia. She was probably telling everyone in town that Olivia had the nerve to show up here and try to speak to Mr. King.
Well, none of that mattered to Olivia. She’d hold her head up, regardless of what people thought of her. She hadn’t done a thing wrong. She wasn’t the one who cheated and Flynn hadn’t been some illicit tryst—she loved him.
After about ten minutes, the door to Mr. King’s office opened. He had a sober expression on his face. “Come in, Olivia.”
She stood and followed him into his office then sat down on the couch alongside one wall when he gestured to it. “Can I have someone get you some coffee or water?”
“No, thank you so much. I’m fine.” Her mouth was so dry and a rope tightened around her middle. “I appreciate your seeing me. First of all, I want to apologize for any embarrassment I caused your family when I left the church.”
He joined Olivia on the couch and gazed at her openly for a moment. “Can you explain what happened?”
“My maid-of-honor told me, minutes before the wedding, that she and Jared were having an affair the last two years. She had some pretty compelling evidence—a birthmark.”
“Lincoln,” he confirmed.
“Right. It was awful. She actually slapped me when I asked her why… it was all very upsetting and I just couldn’t go through with the wedding. But, I handled it all wrong. I should’ve told the guests myself, not left like a scared little girl.”
He nodded, his face thoughtful. “I don’t disagree with you, but I can understand you having such a panicked reaction to a scene like that. I can’t speak for Jared. I won’t speak for him. His behavior was reprehensible. But, as far as I’m concerned, your apology is sincerely accepted.”
He got up and walked to a window to gaze out. “I had no idea he’d cheated on you. When I asked him why you’d just disappear that way, he played dumb.” He turned to face her. “You’re a good person, Olivia, and I’m sorry for any upset my son caused you.”
Olivia didn’t know how to respond to that. She’d hoped he would have a positive reaction to her, at least that he would believe her about Jared’s activities. She couldn’t have known he would forgive her so easily.
All the same, she had to push her luck. She needed to know he wouldn’t lash out at Flynn. “I have to be honest with you about some personal details. I promise I have a good reason which will become clear when I’m finished.”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the glass. “Please go on.”
“When I left, my father’s friend took me to his cabin so I could get out of town. Then we got snowed in.” She swiped at her face. This was so hard. It felt like she was spitting out marbles. “In those days we were there, just the two of us, I fell in love with him. We… I can’t say we began a relationship because I’m afraid my feelings are all one-sided… but, we were intimate.”
Her face felt about a thousand degrees, her cheeks burned so. “The reason I’m telling you all of these very personal details is because Jared found out and he confronted me this morning. Flynn Wilder is my… is the man who helped me. He’s the man I’ve fallen in love with. I know he has a potential contract pending with you for the big hotel you’re developing. Jared promised you wouldn’t give him that contract because of my feelings for him, just to try to ruin his business. I couldn’t allow that to happen without speaking to you first.”
“Don’t stop now. What is it you’re trying to say?”
“Please don’t ruin his hard-earned reputation or his company because of my choices or Jared’s choices. He’s a good man who was only trying to help his best friend’s daughter. It’s my fault he’s so caught up in all this. Not his.”
Mr. King crossed to his office chair and sat down behind his desk. “I am giving the contract to Mr. Wilder. I’d planned to for the last four weeks or so. I’ve been waiting on some other details to work themselves out before I made the official offer. You should listen less to Jared.”
He steepled his hands together on the desk and offered her a gentle smile. “Jared isn’t involved in the company because he won’t grow up. Him cheating on someone he intended to marry just proves that’s still the case. I wouldn’t let Jared influence any business decision I made.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. King. I know Flynn will do great work for you.” She stood up on shaky legs, wishing she could run tell Flynn that his business was safe. But she couldn’t. That door between them was closed now.
***
But, it would be all right—had to be all right. He’d make it right tonight. It was Sean’s birthday party and everyone in town should be there. Sean always rented out a local bar and restaurant and invited everyone he knew—which was the whole damn town.
And, of course, Olivia would be there. Sean had told him the two had made amends and she’d promised to come. Flynn had a plan to show her, to show everyone, that she was the woman for him. He prayed it would work because he couldn’t go another day without her.
Flynn drove to the restaurant in his Jeep and he’d never been this nervous in his life. Not when he was waiting to hear about a job, never.
When he got the hotel contract, King called him personally and told him that Olivia had spoken to him. King had said he appreciated Flynn’s discretion and respected him as a businessman too much to let any personal details come between him and the best contractor he knew.
But that professional victory obviously thanks to Olivia, meant nothing if he didn’t have Olivia in his life.
He parked the Jeep and got out, running his hands down his shirt. He could do this. And… what if Olivia wanted nothing more to do with him? He couldn’t think about that. Refused to believe she didn’t want a future with him as well, not when she’d gone to so much trouble to fix things with King.
She’d done everything she could to make things right for Flynn. Why would she have gone to so much personal sacrifice if she didn’t love him?
Inside, people milled about everywhere. Flynn considered going up to the bar and getting a shot of liquid courage, but then he met Olivia’s gaze across the room. She sat in a corner, nursing a glass of wine, and no one even spoke to her.
She’d been right—running off with him after her wedding had branded her the town slut. And no one would speak to her. Jared was conspicuously absent, as was Tara. Maybe no one knew what to say to her. He didn’t know, but he knew once he opened his mouth, everyone would look at her different. She’d be in the middle of another gossipfest. Hopefully, she’d appreciate the trouble he’d gone to.
Soft music played from speakers tastefully hidden on the walls by plants and drapery. Never dropping her gaze, Flynn crossed the room straight to her. People had stopped to openly stare at them.
When he approached her, she lifted her head to look up at him but didn’t speak. Flynn wanted to kiss her, needed to touch her. She was the single most beautiful woman he’d ever known. And her heart, her capacity for love was overwhelming.
He held out a hand. “Dance with me.”
“No one’s dancing.” A smile tugged at her lips then drifted away.
“Since when do we care about what other people think?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t we?”
“Not anymore. C’mon.” He took her hand and tugged her up. Walking backward, he tossed a look over his shoulder, then turned and led her straight to the middle of the room. “You look incredible.”
She wore a gauzy red dress that hugged her breasts then floated down to her knees. Her lips were lined in the same shade of red and her green eyes were big and brilliant in the soft lights.
As the music stopped, Flynn pulled the blue velvet box out of his front pocket. He knelt before her, in front of everyone—her father, the townspeople. There was an audible gasp and lots of whispers. “I love you, Olivia. I’m done with running away from my feelings for you. I want you to be my wife.”
Her mouth gaped and she stared at him. After a minute she looked around the room. “What are you doing? You don’t have to do this.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to, more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I want you as my wife.”
She licked her lips and glanced around. When she looked back at him, her eyes shone. “I… I’m scared.”
“I was scared, too. Scared you didn’t care about me the way I do you. Scared we wouldn’t be able to make a go of it.” He stood to take her in his arms. “Look at me—ignore everyone else. The way I see it, we’re taking a chance on each other. What it comes down to is, are we too scared to fight for love or not. I’m not. Not anymore. I’m going to fight for you, Liv.”
A single tear streaked down her cheek and she wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest. “Oh, Flynn. I love you, too.”
Tucking a finger under her chin, he lifted her face and took her mouth in a passionate, soul-soothing kiss. She tasted like cinnamon and love. When they broke apart, he framed her cheeks in his hands. “I will never want another woman. You can trust me. Trust in that.”
She closed her eyes and beamed up at him. Fresh tears sparkled in her eyes. “I do trust you, Flynn. I know you’d never hurt me. I will always love you.”
Flynn pulled the biggest diamond he could find in their small town out of the box and slid it on her finger. Other people began to dance and move around them. Flynn had never believed any of this could happen to him, had never believed he deserved to be happy. Olivia made him believe.
*****
THE END