I want to be her. There is nothing more precious than hearing the woman you love say she wants to be your wife and mother of your children.
“Fuck, Max, I love you. And I want you to be that woman.”
“I can be that woman for you.”
Adelyn has given me so much more than she knows. Her trust. Her care. Her body. Her soul. Her heart. And now her future.
I pull Adelyn close and wrap my arms around her. Every nerve ending in my body is firing. I’ve never felt more alive than in this moment.
Adelyn is my heart. My home. Right here. Everything I’ve ever wanted is within my reach and I’m never letting her go. “You already are. You have been since we met. It’s just taken us until now to figure it out.”
20
Adelyn Maxwell
“Happy Birthday, Jillie.”
“Thank you, love.”
I place her pink-and-lime-green-wrapped gift on the table, the Jimmy Choos she’s been lusting after for months. “I’m so sorry we have to squeeze your birthday celebration into an hour over lunch.”
“It’s okay. I’m only turning thirty. And it only happens once in a lifetime. No big deal.”
I know she’s kidding but I still feel like shit. Turning thirty is a big deal.
Jill, Kristin, and I always go out on the town for our birthdays. Jill’s completely slipped my mind when I agreed to go to Savannah with Oliver.
“I’ll make it up to you. We’ll do dinner and dancing next weekend. Everything’s on me.”
I pass Jill’s gift to her. And yes, out of guilt, I splurged. “If an all-expenses-paid birthday night doesn’t do it then I bet these will.”
Pink and green paper flies as she rips into her gift. “Oh, Addie. These are fabulous.”
The shoes are beautiful. A work of art covered in crystal, gold, and bronze studs. “Like them?”
Jill leans over and squeezes me. “I love them. Thank you so much. And now I have no choice but to forgive you for ditching me on my birthday.”
Kristin leans closer to me. “Feel free to forget my birthday and ditch me next month if it means I’ll get Jimmys like those. Size seven medium by the way.”
“Deal.”
Jill slips out of her shoes and into her new Jimmys. They look dynamite.
“Oh, so gorgeous and a perfect fit. I wish I had a mirror to see how they look.” Jill holds out her leg and points her toe. “Take a pic so I can see how they look on me.”
I snap a quick photo and hold out my phone for her to see. A huge smile spreads on her face. “Oh, man. I’m not even going to wear these into a public bathroom. They’re too good for that.”
Kristin picks up the scattered pieces of wrapping paper from the floor. “So when we go out you’re going to have drinks and then hold your pee while you wear four-inch spiked heels? Should be entertaining to see you walk.”
Jill is a counselor and makes decent money, but she’d never splurge on anything like this. “They’re just shoes, Jillie.”
She sits in her chair and slips off the heels, returning them to their box. “I know but I’ve never had any this nice. I don’t want piss on them. Not even the bottoms.”
Kris rolls her eyes. “So what kind of trip is this with Oliver? Business or pleasure?”
“Both. He has a business meeting in Macon, then he’s taking me to Savannah afterwards.”
“Hometown visit. Sounds like things might be getting serious,” Jill says.
I’d say so, according to this morning’s conversation. “Things could be getting very serious. I think I could be pre-engaged.”
Kris is bringing her water up for a drink but stops mid motion. “What exactly does pre-engaged mean?”
“Oliver brought up marriage this morning.”
“What did he say about it?”
“He told me he’s done with empty relationships and flings. He’s ready to pursue a relationship with a woman who wants the same things he wants—marriage and a family.” I can’t stop my smile as I recall my response. “I told him I wanted those things too. With him.”
Kristin covers her mouth with both hands and squeals. “Oh my God, Addie. That is like super serious.”
Jill takes my left hand and points to my ring finger. “You are totally pre-engaged. There’s going to be a diamond on this hand very soon.”
Kristin gasps. “What if this Savannah trip is about more than you think? Shit. I bet he’s going to propose to you.”
My girls are jumping the gun. “I don’t think so.”
Kristin’s expression says otherwise. “Why not? You talked about marriage and now he’s taking you out of town a few days later. The timing is perfect.”
I know Jill and Kris are excited and want this for me but they’ve got it all wrong. “We planned the trip before we had the marriage discussion.”
“Maybe it was a setup. He did it in that order to throw you off. His way of being sure you’ll say yes when he asks. Think about it. This trip is the perfect opportunity; Savannah is so romantic.”
Jill is such a dreamer.
“We both said we’d wait until the time is right, and I don’t see this weekend being it.”
“Maybe you agreed to marry when the time is right but what about the engagement part? Did you agree to wait on that?”
An engagement and the actual marriage are two different things. “Well, no. We didn’t really talk about when we’d get engaged.”
Jill hasn’t released my hand. “I’d bet my ass you come back with a ring on this finger.”
“Jillie. Our best friend is getting engaged to a man we’ve never met.”
“Oh no, she’s not. We’re meeting him. The two of us are coming over tonight so we can be introduced to your fiancé.”
I almost wish I hadn’t told them. “He’s not my fiancé.”
“He’s not your fiancé yet. But he will be after this trip to Savannah. I just know it. And you can’t get engaged to a man that Kris and I have never met. That’s just not right.”
They have a point. It isn’t right for my best friends to not know the man I love. “Okay. Then I guess you’re coming over to meet Oliver tonight.”
I place my palm on the side of Oliver’s face and rub my thumb over his facial hair. It’s a little longer than his usual scruff. “I like this grown out. You look very handsome.”
“Are you sure what I’m wearing is okay? I shouldn’t change into a button-down? I don’t want them to think I’m some kind of thug.”
Why would he say that? Nothing about Oliver looks like a thug.
His dark hair is well kept but even tousled always looks perfect. His facial scruff is so damn sexy. So masculine. I love running my fingers over it. And those eyes. One glance from those baby blues can saturate my panties.
“You look great. You’re a T-shirt and jeans guy. I wouldn’t want you to meet Jill and Kristin looking like anyone but my Oliver Thorn.”
I run my hands down his chest. “I’m pretty sure you weren’t this worked up when you met my parents.”
“I wanted your parents to like me but I wasn’t worried about meeting them. Their opinion doesn’t mean shit to you, so I knew they couldn’t turn you against me. But these are your two best friends. What they think about me will influence you.”
“I adore you so they will too.”
The doorbell rings and I go up on tiptoes, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. “Showtime. Ready?”
“No, but I’m pretty sure I don’t have a choice at this point.”
“Be Oliver Thorn and they’ll have no choice but to love you.”
“I hope so.”
I press another quick kiss to his lips, intended to reassure him all will be fine. “Smile. This is going to be painless. You’ll see.”
For some reason, Jill and Kris have decided to use an alternative entryway. “Why are you using the front door?”
“It seemed rude to barrel into your kitchen through the garage.”
“You don’t thi
nk it’s rude when you do it every other time you come to my house.”
“This is different. We’re meeting your fiancé.”
I flap my arms like a bird trying to take off in flight. “Shh. Don’t say that. He might hear you.”
I swear I will die a thousand deaths if he heard Kris call him that.
“He’s already here? There’s not a car in the drive.”
“Kris. He lives next door, sweetie. He isn’t going to drive his car to Adelyn’s house.”
“Damn. I forgot all about that.” She giggles. “We had a lot of wine last time we were here so that one can’t be held against me.”
“Listen, guys. He’s nervous about meeting you. He really wants you to like him so please take it easy.”
“Aww, that is so sweet. I think I already like him.”
Kristin likes everyone, especially guys. She’s not really the one I’m worried about.
I grin and make big eyes at Oliver when I lead Jill and Kristin into the living room. “Introductions. Oliver Thorn, this is Kristin.”
“It’s so good to finally meet you, Oliver. We’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you from Addie.”
“I could say the same about you.”
“And this is Jill.”
“Very nice to meet you.” Oliver is smiling until he sees the way Jill is staring at him with narrowed eyes. And I immediately know something isn’t right.
“Jill, what’s wrong?”
Jill looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Addie, how can you not know?”
I have no idea what she is talking about. “Know what?”
I look at Oliver, trying to sort out what is happening, and his expression is one of confusion.
Jill points at Oliver. “He was the man who came to court and supported Tommy’s killer. He sat right behind Vance Horton throughout the trial. How can you not remember him?”
What the hell?
I think back to that very dark time in my life when I came to court and watched Vance Horton plead guilty and be sentenced to prison. I don’t recall ever seeing Oliver. “I think you’re mistaking him for someone else. Tell her, Oliver. Tell Jill she’s wrong.”
He closes his eyes before covering them with his hand. “Oh fuck.”
What does oh fuck mean? “Tell her she’s confusing you with someone else.”
He takes his hand from his face and grasps my upper arms. “Listen to me, Max.”
The tone of his voice says everything I don’t want to hear. “No. Say it isn’t true.”
I see in his eyes that he can’t say the words. “Baby.”
“No. I need you to tell me it isn’t true. That you weren’t there supporting my brother’s killer.” Because it isn’t possible that I love a man who would do that.
“Please let me explain.”
He was there. He was there supporting Vance Horton.
“What could you possibly say to explain? What’s a good enough argument to justify why you’d be there on that killer’s behalf?” I feel as though this is a bad dream.
“Time out.” Kristin steps between Oliver and me. “Sweetie, Jill and I are going. We don’t need to be here for this.”
I nod in agreement because I don’t want them to be part of this conversation. Especially Jill. “Okay. Yeah.”
My friends leave and we stand in the living room, unmoving, neither of us saying a word. A minute passes and it feels like sixty eternities ticking away.
Oliver takes a step toward me but I put up my hand, stopping him. I can’t bear to be touched by him right now. “Don’t come near me.”
“Oh, Max. Please don’t.” He is breathing heavily, and his eyes are pleading.
“I don’t know who you are.” My happy world has been yanked from beneath me and I’ve fallen face-first into hell.
“I’m the man who held you after we made love this morning. The one you say you want to marry. The one you want as a father for your children.”
That was only twelve hours ago yet it feels like an eternity. And I can’t think about that right now.
“Were you in the courtroom at Vance’s sentencing?”
“Yes.”
“Do you remember me?”
“No. I don’t recall seeing you once.”
I guess I can believe that because I don’t remember seeing him either. But then again, I was pretty out of it that day thanks to the medication I was given by my doctor for my nerves.
“You were at the sentencing because Vance is your friend?”
“Yes.”
“You knew my brother was killed by a drunk driver two years ago. You also knew your friend killed someone under the same circumstances. Did you know when we met he was the one who killed Tommy or did you figure it out later and choose to not tell me?”
Surely fate couldn’t be this cruel.
“I had no idea. I didn’t make the connection until just now, same as you.”
“Vance is still your friend?”
“Yes.”
“And you visit him at the penitentiary?”
“Yes.”
This is all wrong. “I can’t be with someone who is a friend to my brother’s killer. That’s just completely fucked up.”
“The situation leading up to the accident is probably very different from what you were told.”
“Nothing excuses what he did, and you can get the fuck out if you think you’re going to convince me otherwise. In fact, I don’t even want to look at you right now. Get out.”
“Please don’t do this.”
I’m hurt, angry, confused. I feel betrayed by the man I love. “I don’t want you in my house.”
Oliver moves toward me and I launch myself at him, pushing at his chest over and over. “I said get out! Go! I don’t want you here.”
Oliver manages to get his arms around my body and subdues me against his chest. “Stop fighting me and listen.”
Wrapped in his arms, feeling his warmth, hearing his deep, soothing voice, I somehow feel less devastated. Until I remember that he’s a friend of a killer. A friend of the man who destroyed my life. Jill’s life.
“I understand that you need time to absorb this so I’ll go.” He kisses the top of my head and squeezes me tightly. “You’re going to question your love for me, but never question my love for you. You are my world. My everything.”
He releases me and holds my face. “You need time to think, and I’m going to give that to you. We’ll talk about this after I come back.”
He closes his eyes and kisses my forehead. “I love you, Max. And we will work this out.”
I love you too.
But you’re wrong.
I don’t think we can work this out at all. I will not—cannot—embrace a man who considers himself a friend of my brother’s killer. I cannot be with a man whose compassion lies with the man who took my brother’s life.
As I watch Oliver walk out of my house, I feel as though my heart is shattering into a thousand pieces. And I’m not sure it will ever heal.
21
Oliver Thorn
Three days and three nights away from my Adelyn. I’ve sent her a text every night since our fight, each closing with the same words. I miss you and I love you.
Not a single reply.
I didn’t want to leave her three days ago, but she needed time to calm down so she’d be able to listen to what I’m saying when I explain about Vance. And I needed time to be alone and think. But I can’t stay away another minute. I need to see my girl. I have to know we’re okay.
I’m at the patio door about to knock when I see her in the kitchen. And all her cooking supplies spread across the island.
Shit. She’s baking… because of me… and that kills me.
She jumps and whirls around when I tap on the glass. She shakes her head from side to side when she sees that it’s me.
“No. Go away.” I barely hear her voice through the door.
I tap again but she refuses to look my way.
/> “Come on, Max. We need to talk.” I say the words loudly because I need to know she hears them. And she ignores me as though I don’t exist.
“Please. I have things to tell you. I truly believe you’ll understand everything when I’m done explaining.”
Nothing. No response at all. In fact, she leaves the kitchen altogether so I can no longer see her through the patio door.
I check the knob and it’s locked. No surprise there so I take out my phone and send a series of pleas.
Oliver: It’s been 3 days. You can’t ignore me forever.
Oliver: We have to talk about this.
Oliver: Please, Max. I love you.
Adelyn: Leave me alone.
Well, at least I got a response. Not the one I want, but it’s better than being ignored.
Adelyn doesn’t know the whole story about Vance or why I stood by his side. Until she understands, she isn’t going to forgive me. I’ll be considered the enemy. I’ll lose her.
I sit on her back porch waiting for her to return to the kitchen but I give up hope after I’ve sat there for a while with no Adelyn.
I can’t let this continue to fester.
What I’m contemplating may be the worst move I could make with Adelyn, but I don’t know what else to do when she’s refusing to see or talk to me. I don’t feel as though she’s giving me much of a choice.
I take out her house key and do what will either be the best or worst thing for our relationship.
I unlock the door and let myself into her house. She’s nowhere in sight but I hear a creak in the floor above me. Bedroom.
Good. That’s where I want her. Saves me from throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her up there.
Oliver: I’m in the house and I’m coming up.
I give her a heads-up because I don’t want to scare the shit out of her by popping into her bedroom unannounced.
“Don’t you dare come up here.” I’m already standing in the doorway when the words leave her mouth. “Get out now.”
Neighbor Girl (Southern Girl Series Book 2) Page 21
